Rachel Lake was great! Our family of 4, including our 11 and 13 yr. old sons, got a late start (11:00 am) for our hike but made it up to Rachel Lake by 1:30 pm. First half of hike was mellow but the second half was tough with rocks, tree roots and a steep grade. We saw very few people on the trail and no one at Rachel Lake. Although we weren't spending the night, we explored all the available campsites and thought the best one was far right, almost right on the lake. The boys, a bit grouchy the last 30 minutes up to the lake, really enjoyed exploring the whole area and throwing rocks in the lake. Best part of the hike was virtually no bugs! We've done this hike before and last time went up to the ridge which was beautiful. Today we were happy to have lunch at the lake and just enjoy the scenery -- this also gave the boys time to enjoy the waterfalls on the way back to the car. This one goes in our book as a tough but wonderful hike. We're thinking of returning there for an overnight hike some weekend in September.

For several years now, Princess has been bugging me, the ole goat, to take her to Rachel Lake. I admit, there's got to be something special to share your name with a lake; ahh, umm. She didn't want me to mention her name. Uhh ohh, I just hope she doesn't read this trip report, or I better learn to duck. Well, what's a father supposed to do when his Princess makes a request, especially when it has to with hiking. You answer her request, after all, no matter how old they are, when they turn into your adults and I'm old and gray. Uhh, wait a moment; I am old and gray. Well she will always be my Princess. So it was off to Rachel, or should I say Princess Lake. We arrived at the trailhead around 9:00 PM Friday night and spent the night in the parking lot in order to get an early start in the morning. On the trail bey 8:00 AM, could've started earlier but I found it hard to drag myself out of the mummy bag. Remember, I'm old and gray. After Princess posed for a picture at the trailhead we started up the dustly trail. For a short mile the trail climbs up before leveling off along Box Canyon Creek. We stopped where the trail passed close by the creek to admire the potholed slabs, before continuing on through old growth timber and occasional avalanche swaths. After aprox. 2.5 miles the trail bgan to climb steeply up. Spur trails trailed off continuously, causing us to stop while the Trailmaster and I would go off in different directions to find the right trail. After some steep climbing, where the trail climbs over rocks, roots and logs, the trail passed by a small waterfall where we stopped for a welcome water break. Continuing upward, the trail once more climbed over rocks and roots, crossed over some slabs before a final root covered climb to Rachel Lake. We first took some mandatory pictures of the lake, with Princess in them of course, before turning to the left where we soon set up on a rock jutting out into the clear deep blue waters of the lake. Here we ate some lunch, which was a drawn out affair as we, being the Trailmaster, Princess, Me Lady and I, spent a good part of the time fishing. Which, well, lets say, we've all had better luck. There was a hatch of insects on the water for the previous few days, according to a few other fishermen, and the fish were engorged on flies. Fairly big fish for an alpine lake, up to 13 inches, but well fed and very picky eaters. After an hour and a half of not even a strike, the Trailmaster was taking a nap in the sun, and both the Little Lady and Princess were doing a crossword puzzle. Me lady and I decided a trip up to Lila Lakes sounded good. At first the others really didn't feel like more hiking, and after the first 1/2 mile, very steep, rocky and dry. They weren't any happier and were about to sacrifice this ole goat. I was saved by the delicious blue huckleberries that were found along the trail and the fantastic views down to Rachel Lake. At a saddle, above the lake there is a trail junction, the left fork goes to Rampart Lakes. We took the right fork that takes one to Alta Mountain and Lila Lakes. From the junction, the trail winds through meadows of heather and huckleberries, talus slopes and clumps of mountain hemlock. A short climbing traverse across a talus slope leads one to another saddle, where a turn to the right leads one to a view overlooking the little Lila Lakes and Hibox Mountain. ""Wow!"" Seemed to be the one word that was on everyones lips. Once again we took the mandatory pictures of the little lakes, then made our way down, grabbing handfuls of huckleberries in the process. The largest of the two has a small island with some small hemlocks growing on it. We went over to the smaller one and had it all to ourselves for the afternoon. I made a few casts into the lake with my spiining rod, just to say I fished there, then we all went in for a dip. We were surprised that the water wasn't all that cold, quite refreshing really. We all agreed that it would be a good place to spend a couple of days and that we'd return to do just that some day. By now it was 3:00 PM, and sadly it was time to go. That was then that I discovered that the sole of my hiking boot had split down the middle and that I was going to hobble down the trail practically barefoot. We made our way back out of the basin, always grabing huckleberries, then through the meadows. And what can I say, huckleberries and huckleberries. And they weren't even all ripe yet. Umm, we definitely need to return! As we were nearly out of water, we stopped at the waterfall below Rachel Lake to tank up on water and a snack before heading on down the trail. We arrived back down at the trailhead around 7:00 PM after a full day. On the way home, between North Bend and Snoqualmie, on Hwy 202, we saw a herd of at least 80 elk. Princess said there had to be at least hundred. A perfect end to the day. As far as the trail goes. It was rough, badly eroded. Watch the trail carefully, look for branches across spur trails and avoid them. There are several blowdown, most of which are easily stepped over, except for one, which has to be crawled under.

Left the trailhead at about 10 am, beautiful weather, nice valley hike to the ""wall"", which is not nearly as bad as people have indicated here. I would have left about an hour earlier as it was pretty hot going from Rachel to Rampart. Even if you basecamp at Rachel you should check out Rampart Lakes, very pretty even though the water levels are fairly low this time of year. People were telling us that the bugs were worse at Rampart but we had a nice breeze most of the time to keep them off. Regardless, there were many everywhere, mostly mosquitos, so take repellent and head nets if you want to be comfortable. Mayflies were hatching in the morning at Rachel, would have been nice for dry fly fishing, but had to get moving.

Oh sure, pick a destination that has about 3500' of elevation gain in less than 4 miles - with no lakes on the way - no creeks after you leave the Rachel Lake trail - and tell me I'm going to have fun! What - just because I'm a Golden Retriever, I'm blonde and I look a little vacant, that' no reason to take advantage of me. So, Hiker Jim was up for a little hike somewhere - not sure where. He said something about getting to the house at 7:00/7:15 a.m. Hmmm, it got to be 7:40 a.m. and no Jim. Was he a no-show this day? The driver decided to do some gardening while waiting - this is at 7:00 in the morning - on a Sunday. Is there no decency left in this world? Meanwhile, Clover (my cousin from New Hampshire) and I are cooling our heels waiting for some kind of an adventure. The last we heard, it was off to Rachel Lake (Yes!) and Alta Mountain (well, ok - I've been there before - no biggee). Finally, we see the whites(?) of Hiker J's eyes. Hmmm, maybe too much Saturday night, eh? We're loaded up and off we go. The driver is questioning the wisdom of Rachel Lake and Alta - may be too many peeps and since there has been so much persona non doga on NW Hikers, maybe not a good idea on a beautiful summer day to have TWO dogs along. Well, we head towards Rachel anyway. Get there about 9:00 ish - the upper parking area was stuffed with vehicles - the lower area was only about 1/3 full. We park. On the trail about 9:15 a.m. or so. Probably a lot of the cars were overnighters. We sign in for our adventure. Still not sure where cuz Clover and I are headed, but it's a lovely morning - the coolness of late summer envelopes us - but little did we know how warm it would get. Register at the trailhead and off we go. It's a lovely morning. There were a couple of people in the parking lot, but we really don't see anyone on the trail. The dew is light and the glint of sun is making its way over the ridge. We are in and out of forest - this trail is so deceptive with its little climb and then leveling off for a couple of miles. Clover and I are taking it all in - having a grand time with the coolness of the morning. Little did we know that the two-legged folks had other plans. Without asking, the decision was made to avoid the crowds of Rachel Lake :( and possible crowds at Alta and head up to Hibox. This is a peak that had been on Hiker Jim' list for years. Today seemed like a good day to do it. One hiker that caught up to us said he was a first-timer to Rachel and on to Alta - he was young and eager. We passed some hikers who had camped at Rachel and Rampart and said the bugs were horrible. Well, that's all the driver needed to hear - it was on to Hibox where you could be away from moisture and up high and (hopefully) away from bugs. After hiking passed the last open meadow (looks like it has been brushed fairly recently) and back into the forest (before the nasty ascent to Rachel) - we came upon the Hibox trail - it's about 50"" after you reach the forest at the end of the last meadow. Head right (somewhat east). The trail is actually a fairly decent ""boot path."" You are in trees for about a 1/2 mile or so and then you break out into some open areas. This is not a trail for the faint of heart - it starts climbing immediately and doesn't stop. Think Mt. Si in 1/2 the distance - or Mailbox on good day! We gained about 2900' in around 2 miles. Yes, it is steep and after you reach about 1000' above the Rachel Lake trail, there is a particularly nasty section of very steep, loose rock and no vegetation belay available. It wasn't so bad going up - but we knew it would be dicey coming down. This lasts for a couple hundred feet. It started getting warmer and warmer as we made our way up. Fortunately, the driver had thrown in a couple extra quarts of water - so that wouldn't be a problem. But note, there is NO water on this trail!!! We went in and out of trees, which was a nice break from the sun. Finally, at about 1800' above the Rachel Lake trail (approximately 4500') you break out into the open for some nice views. We continued on - the trail is a pretty good boot path most of the way - with several rock cairns to mark the way - however, it does become spotty now and again, so pay attention to your surroundings to find some markers of your own. We keep seeing Hibox come in and out of view. It seems to be getting closer - but there is still about 1000' or more of gain. We can see over to Rachel Lake and north to Alta Mtn. and little Lila Lake. Finally, we are at the base of Hibox - we seem to remember Ragman and Rodman saying something about taking a right traverse (south) to avoid the cliffy area of Hibox - at least one of us remembers this! But someone else decides that this little slot up between Hibox ""summits"" looks like a possibility - That didn't get him too far!!! Fortunately, the driver wouldn't let Clover and me go that way. Good thinking. Meanwhile, a solo hiker was coming down and the driver could see him off to the right (the location Ragman and Rodman had recommended!) - he said it was an easy walk-up to the ridge going that route and that the slot didn't lead anywhere - he had tried it! He seemed familiar - had a German accent. But he was on his way down. We wished him well and to be careful on his way down. Meanwhile, we headed up this traverse - and, sure enough, we got to the ridge - just over the ridge was a little patch of remaining snow - perfect for two hot, tired pups - -Soon, Hiker Jim was reaching the ridge. Lots of nice views from here (go to www.nwhikers.net for more pics - look for Sadie's Driver report on Hibox) Not satisfied with this accomplishment - HJ looked for the summit. Meanwhile, the pups and the driver had a little snack - content with being about 100' within the reach of the summit. Hiker Jim never did find the ""real"" summit after poking around. He stopped for lunch with the rest of us and then we decided it was time to head down. It wasn't too hard finding our way - we even left a hiking pole below the summit of Hibox to make sure we could find our way down. For the most part, it was just a steep descent back to the Rachel Lake trail. The one dicey area (about 1900' below the summit) is one to be very careful on - there is lots of loose rock and it is very steep with little to hold onto - but we all made it just fine. This is a steep trail and not one to be attempted casually. However, the good news is that it's a fairly good boot path and the views from above are lovely. The other good thing - there was NO ONE else up there - save one hiker. When we met back up with the Rachel Lake trail, we ran into all sorts of people - day hikers to Rachel; overnighters to Rachel, etc. We stopped long enough for the dogs to soak in the cool creek on the way back to the car. It was a great day to be out - about 3500' or so of gain in a short 8 mile roundtrip. It took us about 7.5 hours car to car. Sadie and Clover are resting comfortably!

The wettest day hike I have had in probably 15 years! Started out fine, with warm sunny weather on the valley floor at 9:30. As we started the ascent toward Rachel, the clouds came in and drizzle began and did not let up for most of the day. Got up to Rachel, still raining, then up to the Rampart Lakes basin. Hurriedly ate lunch under some dripping trees--could tell it would have been a gorgeous area if it had been sunny! Immediately started back down, and got past Rachel where it was coming down harder, and back to the river valley--and warm, sunny weather again! Stopped a little over a mile from the trailhead at the smooth rock/waterfall area, and took off all our wet clothes--laid out for a about half an hour before finishing at 3:30. Hope my boots dry out in time for hiking in MRNP on Monday!