Day 1- Upper Paradise Valley

9/22/14  The first day took us from Road's End to the start of the Rae Lakes Loop and then North up Paradise Valley for almost 12 miles and 2,500' of gain.
DSC00685 Driving towards Road's End (literally the end of the road) in Kings Canyon. We pick-up our permit at the Ranger Station and start our adventure.
Driving towards Road's End (literally the end of the road) in Kings Canyon. We pick-up our permit at the Ranger Station and start our adventure.
DSC00688 There's no shortage of interesting trees and large Sequoia in the first couple miles out of Road's End.
There's no shortage of interesting trees and large Sequoia in the first couple miles out of Road's End.
DSC00689 Fantastic granite cliff views start almost immediately. Some of the peaks here are over 3,000' above us.
Fantastic granite cliff views start almost immediately. Some of the peaks here are over 3,000' above us.
DSC00690 A beautiful morning in the canyon, not a cloud in the sky.
A beautiful morning in the canyon, not a cloud in the sky.
DSC00694 Official start of the Rae Lakes Loop. We had decided to take the loop clockwise to give us more time for altitude adjustment and a more gradual climb. Hopefully...
Official start of the Rae Lakes Loop. We had decided to take the loop clockwise to give us more time for altitude adjustment and a more gradual climb. Hopefully…
DSC00695 The trail heads up Paradise Valley following the South Fork of the Kings River, which still has plenty of water even in this record dry year.
The trail heads up Paradise Valley following the South Fork of the Kings River, which still has plenty of water even in this record dry year.
DSC00705 Heading up Paradise Valley looking back at the intersection with Kings Canyon. Very remiscent of the Tetons.
Heading up Paradise Valley looking back at the intersection with Kings Canyon. Very remiscent of the Tetons.
DSC00710 Approaching Mist Falls. Normally it would be roaring with enough mist to give it its name. It's definitely low at the moment, but impressive nonetheless.
Approaching Mist Falls. Normally it would be roaring with enough mist to give it its name. It's definitely low at the moment, but impressive nonetheless.
DSC00711 Dustin at Mist Falls showing off his bad @ss miltary look, which got more than a few stares from folks on the trail.
Dustin at Mist Falls showing off his bad @ss miltary look, which got more than a few stares from folks on the trail.
DSC00713 Standing at the base of Mist Falls. We spent much of the day wondering what sights like this would be like earlier in a wet year.
Standing at the base of Mist Falls. We spent much of the day wondering what sights like this would be like earlier in a wet year.
DSC00717 Continuing up Paradise Valley, there are interesting granite peaks everywhere. On the top leftside of this peak, you can make out a giant stone face, which is a...
Continuing up Paradise Valley, there are interesting granite peaks everywhere. On the top leftside of this peak, you can make out a giant stone face, which is a…
DSC00722 One last view down Paradise Valley.
One last view down Paradise Valley.
DSC00724 Tough to see in the picture, but there's a black bear walking on the rocks along the riverbank. Very stereotypical bear setting, and great to see. It was the...
Tough to see in the picture, but there's a black bear walking on the rocks along the riverbank. Very stereotypical bear setting, and great to see. It was the…
DSC00727 Dustin alongisde one of the pools of crystal clear water on the Kings River in Middle Paradise Valley.
Dustin alongisde one of the pools of crystal clear water on the Kings River in Middle Paradise Valley.
DSC00732 Still plenty of dense green at the end of September in this dry year.
Still plenty of dense green at the end of September in this dry year.
DSC00733 Water winding through the forest and granite.
Water winding through the forest and granite.
DSC00738 Our first of many deer sightings for the trip.
Our first of many deer sightings for the trip.
DSC00739 Now getting into Upper Paradise Valley at almost 7,000'.
Now getting into Upper Paradise Valley at almost 7,000'.
DSC00741 A beautiful Aspen Grove along the trail. Though there's less green this time of year, the Fall colors more than make up for it.
A beautiful Aspen Grove along the trail. Though there's less green this time of year, the Fall colors more than make up for it.
DSC00742 The first of a few nice snakes we came across, this one a small Striped Racer.
The first of a few nice snakes we came across, this one a small Striped Racer.