Rachel Lake, Rampart Ridge
Nov 17, 2008
by
Janice Van Cleve
—
last modified
Nov 17, 2008 08:32 PM
- Type of Outing
- Day hike
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: Rachel Lake
- Region: Snoqualmie Pass -- Snoqualmie Pass
- Agency: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Cle Elum Ranger District
- Trails: Rachel Lake (#1313)
- Avg Rating: 3.61
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: Rampart Ridge - Rampart Lakes
- Region: Snoqualmie Pass
- Trails: Rampart Ridge (#1332)
- Avg Rating: 3.00
- Be Aware Of
- Mudholes
- Water on trail
- Snow on trail
What a sweet hike - well, at least until you hit The Wall. Exit 62 off I-90 and proceed to Kachess Campground. Turn left onto FS 4930 and in maybe a quarter mile turn right at the junction. Four miles later come to a huge parking lot with outhouse. Note - lots of breakins here in Sept and Oct. The trail climbs a bit then saunters lazily along Box Creek. The brush is down, the bugs are gone, and on a beautiful dry November day with sunshine and good spirits, this is a wonderful hike. The rivulets are gushing but easy to cross with trekking poles. Some muddy spots and some minor water (some drainage work and a small culvert would help here) but no problems - until The Wall.
At 3 miles you start climbing The Wall. The 100 hikes book describes this as a cruel mile and it is an understatement. Roots, rocks, water, mud up to the waterfall crossing. Then it gets a little easier up to Rachel Lake. The lake is beautiful and so far still liquid. Around the north shore the trail passes a small pond iced over and a little surface snow. The switchbacks up to Rampart Ridge are clear and well engineered. Stunning views of Rachel Lake from the switchbacks. Atop Rampart Ridge is a little snow, about 2 inches. The trail is easy to follow over to Rampart Lakes.
Not enough can be said about the beauty of Rampart Lakes but to find them pristine and alone in the November sunshine is a blessing. Ice is forming on the lake surfaces but so far only the smaller lakes are iced over. Mt. Alta still looks clear. It took us about 2.5 hours up and that much down.
At 3 miles you start climbing The Wall. The 100 hikes book describes this as a cruel mile and it is an understatement. Roots, rocks, water, mud up to the waterfall crossing. Then it gets a little easier up to Rachel Lake. The lake is beautiful and so far still liquid. Around the north shore the trail passes a small pond iced over and a little surface snow. The switchbacks up to Rampart Ridge are clear and well engineered. Stunning views of Rachel Lake from the switchbacks. Atop Rampart Ridge is a little snow, about 2 inches. The trail is easy to follow over to Rampart Lakes.
Not enough can be said about the beauty of Rampart Lakes but to find them pristine and alone in the November sunshine is a blessing. Ice is forming on the lake surfaces but so far only the smaller lakes are iced over. Mt. Alta still looks clear. It took us about 2.5 hours up and that much down.
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