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Copyright © Dan A. Nelson/The Mountaineers Books Rachel Lake
The condition of the trail to Rachel Lake and the lake's environs exhibit what can happen when too many nature-loving hikers are unleashed on a fragile landscape. Though you'll enjoy spectacular views at the lake and en route, closer examination reveals a web of way trails stomped into the fragile meadows around the lake. And heavy use and poor trail planning have left the trail in rough condition. You'll splash up a track marred by mud and water, with seasonal streams running down the middle of the trail at times. You'll also fight crowds for the right to that sloppy trail, which receives unbelievably heavy use every weekend in the summer. For maximum benefit visit midweek or after Labor Day.
The trail runs into the forest of the Box Canyon Creek, climbing gradually for the first mile before leveling out for another 1.5 miles. The path stretches along the flank of Hibox Mountain, with occasional views up the face of Hibox and across the valley to Alta Mountain. Mostly, though, the trail stays under the trees, keeping you cool and well shaded as you head for the head of the Box Canyon. There, at about 2.5 miles, the trail starts upward, climbing steeply as it gains more than 1300 feet in the next mile. That cruel pace is made all the more difficult because of the trail's poor condition. Seasonal streams spring from the headwall slope, trickling down onto the trail until they merge into a muddy stream. Effort has been made to divert the water off the trail tread, but just as soon as one ribbon of water is siphoned off, another streams down to take its place. At about 3.5 miles out, just as your legs are getting weak and your lungs are burning from the climb, the trail levels out and rolls through the splashing spray at the foot of a gorgeous and refreshingly cool fantail waterfall. Stop for pictures and a moment of rest before tiptoeing along the logs that cross the creek below the falls. The next 0.5 mile of trail climbs more moderately before thrusting you out onto the sunlit shores of Rachel Lake. Try to stay on the primary trail around the lake--too many boots have stomped across the fragile heather and moss meadows, creating a web of way trails that are slow to heal. Find a suitable rock on which to relax while enjoying the views of the broad lake and the towering wall of Rampart Ridge beyond.
Driving Directions:
From Seattle take I-90 east to exit 62 (signed "Kachess Lake"). Turn left from the exit ramp and drive northeast on Kachess Lake Road (Forest Road 49) toward Kachess Lake. Follow the signs to Lake Kachess Campground. Turn left on FR 4930, which leads about 4 miles to a large parking lot and the trailhead at the road's end. Recent Trip Reports
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Rachel Lake, Rampart Ridge - Rampart Lakes
— Nov 04, 2011
— TreeLady
Day hike
Features:
Fall foliage
Issues:
Blowdowns | Mud/Rockslide | Mudholes | Washouts | Water on trail | Snow on trail
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Played hooky from work to take advantage of one of those rare gorgeous blue sky days in November bef...
Played hooky from work to take advantage of one of those rare gorgeous blue sky days in November before the gloom and snow sock us in! Friend and I hiked up past Rachel Lake to Rampart Ridge and from there along to Rampart Lakes. Still quite a bit of fall color but going to be gone fast - lots of ice, and snow 4-6 inches from about 4500' on up. The trail is well known for very poor condition and this is indeed what we found - lots of exposed roots and water (now ice) running down the boulders and trail surface. Be sure to bring your microspikes! That said, the snow made it quiet and pristine. Though when we crested the ridge the sun turned quickly to fog and a 30-something-degree wind in the face, quite bone chilling! So we turned back after checking out the furthest of the Rampart Lakes and headed back to the trailhead, meeting another hiker who did Alta Mountain. Trail is very easy to find and follow even in snow, and quite lovely, not at all crowded this time of year.
The road is in very good condition and don't pay attention to those Google Map directions - take Kachess Lake road left off exit 62 from I-90, go to the point on this road where it Ts out (to the right is Kachess CG, to the left is FR 4390. Turn left, go to a big fork and turn right, following the signs to trail 1313. The parking area can't be missed. Sorry, no pix this time - camera battery was dead when we got up there! Day hike
Features:
Fall foliage
Issues:
Mudholes | Water on trail | Snow on trail
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The hike to Alta was easy to follow albeit with a little bit of exposure along the ridge line. The t...
The hike to Alta was easy to follow albeit with a little bit of exposure along the ridge line. The trail up to Rachel lake has great river views, old growth, and mossy covered hillsides. The bottom mile or two are perfect for small children since there is much to see and do.
The trail is as always quite muddy as far as Rachel lake. Snow is thin up to this point and the rocks and logs are very slippery. The trial up to the ridge is easily followed around the north end of the lake. Fall foliage is abundant. Once on the ridge a "T" intersection takes you either to Rampart Lakes to the left (well worthwhile) or to Alta to the right. We encountered numerous animal tracks in the snow, blue grouse (which we startled out of the trees), two deer, an elk, numerous chipmunks, a couple of marmots, a feline of some sort (whose paw prints along an exposed cliff edge are in one of the photos), and a Ptarmigan right at the summit. RT hike time was about 8 hours without any rushing. Another party did High Box in the same amount of time. A conversation with them revealed a trail that I did not know existed that climbs steeply up High Box. Apparently it leaves trail #1313 just past the huge avalanche slope (south facing side of HB). The trail is flagged. A trip for another day. Day hike
Issues:
Blowdowns
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I have just a quick update to conditions for this hike: it's still rocky, rooty, steep, and rife wit...
I have just a quick update to conditions for this hike: it's still rocky, rooty, steep, and rife with difficult blowdowns, and the Rampart Lakes are still one of the most sublime lake basins in the Cascades.
Fall colors are passing their peak now, though it's still colorful. If you want to see them, go real soon - it started snowing while I was up there. Be aware of conditions up here, as the weather can turn on a dime. I was lucky to get a half hour of sunshine and blue skies before clouds came rolling in from the northwest; within half an hour the skies turned dark, the temperature dropped ten or fifteen degrees, and the white stuff started coming down. At the same time, Hibox Valley was still bathed in sun. There is a bit of ice and snow in the basin, not enough to cause problems, but that will change quickly now. I never noticed it before but, if you take one of the very short boot trails to the right along Rampart Ridge you'll get some nice views of the Kendall Peak area near Snoqualmie Pass. Careful though - there are some cliffs over there. BTW, I've noticed that whatever file compression the website uses turns the colors in my pics rather muddy. You'll have to take my word that the colors are bright, or you can see them with truer color at: http://www.flickr.com/[…]/ Day hike
Features:
Fall foliage
Issues:
Blowdowns | Mudholes | Water on trail
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Hike to the Rampart Lakes via the Rachel Lake trail. Exit 62 of I-90 and follow road toward Kachess...
Hike to the Rampart Lakes via the Rachel Lake trail. Exit 62 of I-90 and follow road toward Kachess Lake Campground, then Forest Road 4930 to trail head parking. Road in good condition, though a bit wash boarded. All vehicles should have no problem. Privy at parking area.
First 2.5 miles of trail nice, easy going (after the initial slight climb up). Several creek crossings on logs, rocks, or splashing through. Fall colors at their peak for this year and some past prime. A few blueberries and huckleberries, but not in abundance along this route. After the easy 2.5 miles, the trail heads up for the next 1.3 miles through rocks, roots, mud, and water. More than a dozen trees to climb over in the trail. Really could use a good work crew on this trail just to cut out the downed trees. At 3.8 miles reach the shores of Rachel Lake. Beautiful blue and lots of rocks to sit on and enjoy the view here. After resting a bit, we continued past Rachel on the trail and climbed up to the ridge that towers above Rachel Lake. Actually this was pretty quick and easy with short switchbacks and fast, direct trail. Views of Rachel on the way up were great. At the top of the ridge, we took the junction left to Rampart Lakes. Color is really in full swing once you reach the top of the ridge and enter the Rampart Lakes basin. It was chilly, just above freezing when we arrived and there was some ice on some ponds, and icy spots on the trail here and there. Just a few very small patches of snow as you get to the farthest lake, nearing Rampart Ridge area. The color is amazing right now. Bugs were none existent, except for a butterfly or two. Temps were pleasant for hiking and in the sunshine for sitting around. All in all we ended up with about 10.75 miles and 3200' of elevation for the day hike. More pictures of fabulous color here on flickr: http://www.flickr.com/[…]/ Enjoy now, before the snow comes in heavy. Day hike
Features:
Fall foliage | Ripe berries
Issues:
Blowdowns | Mudholes | Water on trail
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The Rachel Lake trail is full of beautiful things to see, but it's really rough. Lots of creek cross...
The Rachel Lake trail is full of beautiful things to see, but it's really rough. Lots of creek crossings, muddy creek walking, and steep, rooty paths. There seemed to be more water on the trail and less water coming down the creek compared to when I did this hike in the summer. However, I'd choose this time of year to hike the trail over the summer hands down because the crowds are gone. Didn't see any groups bigger than three, and I probably saw only about 8 parties all day.
From Rachel Lake, you want to head right to go up to Rampart Ridge. Before you hit the lake, there's one sign in the network of social trails that says "Trail ->" and that is the one you want. I found the hike up to Rampart Ridge to be a lot more pleasant than the hike to Rachel Lake because the trail is nicer and you get views the whole time. When you hit the ridge, you can go right for Alta Mountain and Lila Lake or left for Rampart Lakes. I went for the lakes. Lots of social trails here, too. First you'll hit a bunch of tarns, which are not the lakes. Keep going and you'll see the lakes. I think there are five of them - I explored four. You could wander around in this lake/tarn area for quite awhile. Fall foliage makes the whole place look like an autumn wonderland. There were some berries up there that were decent, but they're definitely not in their prime. There were also hang gliders in the sky to gaze at. It is worthwhile to traverse the lakes - some of the nicer views I got were from the less popular side. This hike is a MUST for any lake bagger! Due to the condition of the Rachel Lake trail, though, it does feel worse than the numbers make it seem, so be prepared, especially in the fall as the days shorten. |
 Rachel Lake. Photo by "Moose."
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