A friend and I had the "brilliant" idea of trying to do the the Rae Lakes loop in one day this weekend. It's a popular 46 mile backpacking trip in Kings Canyon National Park. My longest run before this point was 6 miles a few years ago, and my longest hike was 23 miles. Needless to say doing this loop in 14 hours was tough, but beautiful. In addition to the lakes and other sights, I saw a lot of rock I want to climb.
Without further adieu, here are some of the rocks for your daydreaming pleasure:
Bubb's Creek Wall
It was too dark for my crappy camera when we were below this rock, so here's a profile picture. It was an awesome looking 2,000ft tall formation on the north side of Bubb's Creek. There are five route's that I know of, the easiest being a grade IV 5.10+ (Aquaman). The others are multi-day adventures. Several threads on here about it.
Mount Bago
Not great angles but some interesting rock up there. One route is supposedly a 5.7 covering "1,000 feet of excellent rock." -Secor
East Vidette
Can't find anything about a class 5 route on the north side of East Vidette, but it seems like there could be a fun, long moderate in there somewhere.
Charlotte Dome
Super secret locals only crag that looks decent and has some chossy route called the South Face by a no-name climber, I think it's Galen Rowell or something.
Brewer Group
From left to right there's the northeast faces of Mount Brewer, North Guard, and Mount Francis Farquhar. Supposed to be good stuff on those peaks. Check out the face on the lower (northwest) peak on Mt. Francis Farquhar, yum.
Two Dorks
Feeling surprisingly good and looking expectedly handsome after climbing 7000 feet in about 17 miles to Glen Pass.
Painted Lady
I wonder how the rock quality is on this peak? A 5.7 goes up that rib on the right.
Fin Dome
It's not very big, but it begs to be climbed. Various routes go up every side of this rock, ranging from class 3/4-5.8.
Mount Clarence King
The southeast face. Rowell put up a 5.9 on there, but there's probably room for more!
Mount Cotter
The true summit is on the left, but the east face of that lower (north) summit looks really good and I want to get on the 5.9 A1 (pendulum). It looks big and awesome, so obviously Galen Rowell climbed it first.
Peak 11556'
This unnamed formation is on a ridge to the south of Castle Domes Meadow above Woods Creek. Looks like there is fun to be had. Maybe a ridge traverse too?
Castle Domes
Could spend a while exploring these things. I wonder where the 5.11 "Sillmarillion" is that's in the Secor book?
North Side of Woods Creek
5.fun cracks anyone?
Junction of Woods Creek and Kings River
I don't know...
Smoky
Followed this guy for probably 10 minutes before he let us pass. Bears don't know trail etiquette.
The Sphinx
Here are some rocks on the East end of Kings Canyon.
Didn't include pictures of Kings Canyon proper. It's beautiful and full of rock, but you'll have to go see that for yourselves.
I hope this made you want to climb! Have a wonderful day.