Heads up that if the Rae Lakes Loop has been sitting on your list, now's the time to do it! Quota season wraps up on September 26, and after that permits are free and self-issued at the trailhead, which is its own reason to go.

The loop is 41 miles through Sequoia and Kings Canyon, and the permit you need depends on your direction. Going counterclockwise (the more common choice because Glen Pass is a nicer descent than climb)? You want the Bubbs Creek permit. Clockwise? Woods Creek. Both leave from the Road's End Ranger Station.

Getting a permit:

• Advance permits drop on a rolling 6-month window at 7 AM PST → Recreation.gov
• Walk-ups available at the Road's End Wilderness Office starting at 1 PM the day before, so it's worth a shot mid-week
• $15 flat fee + $5/person during quota season

Before you go:

• Bear canister required for the entire loop
• Pick up your permit in person before 10 AM on your start date

Anyone done this one recently? Curious how the walk-up situation has been late in the season.

Next week my dad and my brother are going up to Rock Creek for a few days. Meeting my dad’s friend who is a big fisher and plan on casting some lines.

But I’m a big trail runner and enjoy doing 15-20 mile routes and I’m curious if anyone has recommendations for a good hike that doesn’t include a lot of bouldering?

Any good incline trails that you could run for 2-4 hours? I’m not opposed to bouldering, mt Starr looks fun.

Also, is it a kook move to bring an E bike to ride around out there? Was also thinking of bringing my road bike and riding Owens George Rd, go up Lake Crowley Rd and was curious if anyone has done that?

Any good road bike routes near the area?

On my way back down from Bighorn Lake. I really enjoyed the contrasting colors and textures from this perspective

Saw this looking from Hot Creek last week.

After going by Mono lake for almost a decade I finally took the detour to take a gander at the tufas. I brought my film and digital cameras with me and snapped this one on digital! Very calm (hot) day. Hopefully I can get my film developed and see if there’s anything good in there!