Mid-State Trail vs Rae Lakes Loop
A side-by-side look at distance, elevation, difficulty and the best time to hike each — so you can pick the right route.
Units
| Mid-State Trail | Rae Lakes Loop | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance | 319 mi513 km | 37 mi60 km |
| Elevation gain | 21,493 ft6,551 m | 6,969 ft2,124 m |
| Typical duration | — | — |
| Difficulty | — | — |
| Route type | Point-to-point | Loop |
| Network | Regional | Regional |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Best time to hike | Best from October to October | Best from June to August |
| Route & GPX | Route & GPX |
Mid-State Trail vs Rae Lakes Loop: which should you hike?
At 319 mi513 km, Mid-State Trail is the longer route — roughly 282 mi453 km more than Rae Lakes Loop (37 mi60 km). If you want the bigger challenge or a longer trip, that's the one; for a shorter or first multi-day hike, Rae Lakes Loop is the gentler pick. Check the elevation and best-season rows above, then open each route for the full guide and a free GPX download.