Trip Reports

Beautiful day, blue sky, very warm! So warm, that all the snow was melting and creating torrents of water rushing down the trails.

I was aware of this trail's reputation for being wet, but this was amazing. Half of the time was spent wading up a streambed where there should've been a trail. Amazing amounts of water! Take a floatation device.

Light snow at the lake, just enough to make things pretty. Not many folks on the trail.

I arrived to a nearly empty parking lot at 9:00 am Friday – only 3 other vehicles present. I immediately hit the trail, but was slowed by scenes like this.

Beautiful colors started almost immediately in the vine maple dotting the hillside. Soon I was climbing the staircase of tree roots and rocks to the shores of Rachel Lake, which was completely vacant of visitors. I took a short break before attacking the last ½ mile of trail up to the ridge.

Colors on the ridge were quite nice, and continued all the way to the lakes. I found a nice campsite well off the main trail and settled in.

I was pleasantly surprised by the lack people. I witnessed a single day hiker pass by on his way up the ridge, and two other hikers picking berries. I had the lakes all to myself Friday night.

The weather hadn’t materialized as forecast, remaining mostly cloudy all day. The sun appeared to be winning the battle against them in late morning, but by early afternoon the clouds grew thicker and settled in for the rest of the afternoon.

As sunset neared, the clouds began to drop and obscure some of the taller peaks in the distance. And as I gave up on sunset, magic happened. The sun dipped below the cloud level to the west and transformed Alta and Hi Box into blazing red spectacles of grandeur. It was one of the best sunrises I have witnessed in several years.

Funny how things work out sometimes.

I nestled into my bivy sack with cloud cover over head. An hour later, the sky was filled with stars and the moon. A short time later, the clouds had reclaimed the sky.

I was awakened at 4:30 am by a critter resting on top of me; something much larger than a mouse. I was so bundled in that it took me forever to pop my head out to see what it was. By then it was gone. I can tell you that it didn’t startle easy.

I awoke for a sunrise that never materialized and waited until nearly 10:00 in hopes that the morning sky would clear. But it was not to be. Instead snow flakes began to fall, turning the frozen tarns around me white. I hiked out amid gray skies and light snow flurries.

At Rachel Lake I noted a single party that had stayed the night. Such solitude would not be afforded to those staying the next night. I passed a ranger with overnight pack just below the lake, and assumed it was a sign of the throngs of people expected for the weekend. Based on the number of people I saw coming up the trail, expectations may have been exceeded. I was glad to have missed the crowds by a day.

Berries - you bet, lots of huckleberries.
Wildflowers - very few left.
Weather - fluctuated between Cascade mist and thundershowers.
Trail Condition - very rooty, other than the roots, reminded me of Heather Lake near Lake Wenatchee and Lake Snoqualmie ridge trails.
Bugs - some pesky bees, no mosquitos.
Visibility - foggy and more fog.
Fall Colors - no, it's still very green up there.

Was planning to "summit" Alta Mt, but my new boots were giving me blisters, so I turned around at Rachel Lake.

Great hike to Rachel Lake--almost the whole hike is shady and you get a (chilly!) swim at the end of it, so it was perfect for a warm day. The last uphill mile or so was a little tricky but really not as bad as I thought it would be. The only drawback was it was pretty buggy so we never wanted to stop for long. It seemed better at the lake, but judging from the number of bites on my feet, I was just distracted by the beauty and didn't notice the little suckers biting me while my boots were off!

We left the trailhead at 4:30pm on our way to Rachel Lake (#1313). Party included myself and 4 of my kids, ages 18, 16, 9 & 7. Our goal was to reach Lila lake but we only made it to Rachel Lake. The first 2.5 miles are easy. We ate ripe berries and saw lots of bright orange mushrooms. The creek and waterfalls were gorgeous. There are several small creek crossings. We hiked the first 2 miles in an hour. The next 2 miles were not so quick. The trail definitely gets steep with lots of rock and roots. Within a miles of the top the trail is a bit hard to follow as it crosses rock and follows a stream bed. We thought we were off the trail when we were in the stream, but it was the trail. So be prepared for water on the trail. It was hard, it was steep, it was a little hard to follow in places but if my 9 & 7 year old can do it - so can you!!

Take a jacket. The day we hiked was very misty which turned into very rainy at the lake. We tried to take the clearly marked trail to Lila Lake but turned back after about 10 minutes due to lack of "Mountain Goat" skills. The trail seemed to vanish across rocky steep sections and since it was getting dark and raining, we opted to find a tent site at Rachel Lake.

Found a beautiful secluded tent site at the end of the lake. If you hike the trail which stays close to the lake you will come to the "bottleneck" in the lake. At this point, keep an eye out uphill and you'll see a ledge above you. Leave the trail and go uphill about 20 steps and you'll find a secluded, off the trail spot.

We put up our 4 man and our 2 man tent but ended up putting all 5 of us in the 4 man tent. Nobody wanted to leave the bigger tent so we smushed together and stayed. (Good thing we had a 7-yr-old who didn't take much space!)

On our way out (Friday) we passed 7 parties on their way to Rachel Lake. Five of the parties were spending the weekend. My advice - go during the weekdays so you're not hiking with the masses.

We had no difficulties getting to the trail head. There is an outhouse right at the parking lot. The trail starts off with a nice meander through the woods (the greenery was amazing, and there were beautiful orange and yellow mushrooms growing on some of the fallen logs), and then across a few small creeks and a few fields of ferns and wildflowers. The lower part of the hike is varied and interesting - I kept wanting to slow down just to appreciate everything. We also noticed that there were fish (maybe trout) in the deeper sections of the creek we were walking next to.

Three miles in you cross a larger creek and then the hike gets very steep and much more technical. There are great spots for breaks - large boulders with beautiful views. However, you have to be comfortable hiking on a lot of steep, rocky terrain and a lot of roots. You will end up following a creek bed for a while, including jumping from rock to rock going up the creek for a short distance. Much of the creek bed was dry, however.

Be sure to pack a light jacket if you go soon. Today was warm for most of the hike - short sleeves were best, but once we arrived at the lake the temperature cooled off significantly and everyone in my group put on an extra layer. In case you need it, there is a very primitive "toilet" at Rachel Lake - it's a wooden box set on the ground pretty much right out in the open.

The way down isn't much faster than the way up. The technical nature of the first mile on the way down slows you down a bit and the remaining three miles are largely flat, so there's no opportunity to pick up a lot of speed. You'll just want to leave enough time to get back down.

Bugs really were not a problem - we all had forgotten our bug repellant, and I don't think any of us were bitten up that much. We mostly had bugs at the lake - flies, a few bees, and a few mosquitoes.

There were huckleberries and blueberries along the sides of the trail.

The cool, cloudy day was just right for a hike to Rachel Lk and then beyond to Alta Mt. Shoulder high meadows along Box Canyon still have some blooms. There are ripe Huckleberries near the Lake. The trail is in good condition along the creek but once it begins to climb upward, it becomes a challenge: roots and rocks and well worn secondary paths. Upon reaching the lake, breezes lowered the temperature to almost-cold. We trudged upward and into thick, swirling fog which lifted enough so that we had views of Lila Lakes below. A very handsome rock monument has been "built" on the summit.

We got to the trail head at 10am and there were quite a few cars there already. We set out right away and made good progress. There were some bugs and it was really hot, but we didn't need repellent. The bugs got worse in the middle of the hike and better towards the top once the breeze came in. The trail was in good condition, still some water on the trail after the waterfall, which can make resistant shoes worth it. The lake was wonderful, we got there at noon and many people were swimming (bring your swim suit and water shoes!). We needed more water than normal due to the heat and long hike out. We finally broke down and syphoned out some water from the brook at the big rock - boy scout style - it tasted wonderful and got us to our car. So far so good. The trail overall was obviously heavily used and we saw many people on our way out. This hike is the only hike that takes me the same time in as out.

The hike to Rachel Lake does have water on the trail as previously reported, but it lasts for less than a quarter of a mile and provides no real obstacle. Once you hit Rachel Lake the mosquitoes become apparent. On the way up to Rampart Ridge they intensify, and finally reaching Rampart Lakes, they appear in full force. Be prepared! Rampart Lakes are beautiful of course, one of the top spots in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Come prepared for mosquitoes, or wait and do the hike later in the summer.
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Hello! This is my first post at Washington Trails. Thank you for the venue and the connection. What a fabulous service to those whom enjoy wilderness adventures.

Many are aware of the mythological phoenix; rebirth and renewal rising from ash. Another definition, of which I’ve been recently acquainted, exists within the literal meaning of the word: “a supremely beautiful, rare or unique person or thing.” My experience this weekend to and at Rachel Lake, trail #1313 illuminated this definition; both in person and thing.

My soul sister Melissa and I started out late in the day given a chopped off road sign: beware-road 4930 is after the one with the missing digit. We began our travels embraced by the warm, delightful day filled with puffy cotton balls in the sky. Our singing duo ventured into the regenerated forest…beauty from destruction, life after death and endurance amongst the imperfection of human beings and our world. Truly inspirational, if seen with new eyes. We wandered to some lovely wild strawberries on the trail and Mount Margaret to our right as the breeze suddenly and gently whispered “no, this is not the way”.

So, down again we veered past a resident garter snake basking in the sun and in another mile or so were on our way---hop aboard the optimism train we sang; flutes in tow and smiles matching the sunshine beaming above amongst the gathering, greying clouds (rain had been predicted but we went forth anyway). Rampart Ridge to the left, regally called us near.

Along the trail, mystic pools lit by ancient turquoise colored rock gurgled as waterfalls danced in rhythm with the thrush, chattering of sooty squirrels and sound of our heart beats. We ascended steadily up, as the Mountaineers describe, the “cruel mile” climb to Rachel, stopping only when needed to gaze at something remarkable or to refresh our parched throats. Wonderful flow guided us, like the water that at one point, became the only path; but blessings of tread and kind fellow travelers that came before lead our way. No rush, no hurry…simple, graceful, steady determination.

On final ascent, the darkened thunderheads released their tears; quenching and cooling the challenges of the day. After a windy sleep, we drenched ourselves in the morning sun, nature’s dryer, surrounded by marmot music and warding off the plethora of flies and mosquitoes that ruthlessly sought the minute un-deet covered portions of skin. However, no bug, rain drop, steep incline or breath of wind could sway us amongst the quiet center within; thus the beauty of this adventure. No matter the what, we were there. Present, accepting of the imperfections that exist in everything, rising from the ash---rare, unique, beautiful moments. Like the phoenix, through all imperfections amongst mountain adventures and in life…still, we may rise. Happy traveling to all in our beautiful Northwest backyard!