Rachel Lake, Rampart Ridge

Going up to Rachel Lake, after the big waterfalls just before the lake, it can be very confusing where to go because water is running right down the trail. The trail has, in fact, become a creek that you’ll need to hike up.

Due to the many rocks and roots this is very slippery and you need to go slowly and be very careful, both going down and coming up. Without good hiking boots, I’d think it would be easy to hurt oneself. Glad I had two hiking poles, especially when coming down.

Lots of mosquitoes at Rachel Lake. Lots of wildflowers and they are gorgeous.

Hiking up from Rachel Lake to Rampart Ridge, once you reach the top you’ll be in a snowfield – look for the Rampart Lakes / Lila Lake junction sign there. Rampart Ridge is around 30 – 40% snow covered, but there are some bare camping sites.

Upper Rampart Lake is 85 – 90% covered with ice. South side of the lake and the two gullies going up to the ridge are covered in snow.

I started the trip back down from Rachel Lake at 10:15 am on Saturday, July 11 and counted over 100 people coming up, many with only tennis shoes and some with just sandals. Hard to imagine them negotiating the creek/trail I spoke about above.