Rachel Lake 6/25/2005 Note: The Rachel Lake trail sustained serious flood damage in sections of it's final mile during 2003 & 2004. The rough, rooty, steep and rocky tread now has several washouts to negotiate and a trailbed eroded down to large river rock in places. Also mud. Now that you know that I will report on our fun hike, on this beautiful scenic trail, on a perfect sunny early summer day. All but two of my Mountaineers Club group had spent the night at the Mountaineers Meany Lodge, nearby at Stampede pass. After signing in at the trailhead and tying an Alpine Lakes Wilderness permit onto my pack we were off, at 9:40. On the way to Rachel lake 13 creeks are crossed, a couple on log bridges. With the snow melt already over we had low water and easy crossings at all of them. The first mile climbs at a moderate grade and then the trail is mostly level for the next two miles. The first mile is through open forest with many flowers and also has good views down to Hibox creek, the outlet stream of Rachel lake. A little past the first mile we stopped for a snack at a waterfall on the creek where big smoothed rock formations make a good picnic site. For the next two miles the trail alternates between fine old growth forest (mix of Doug. fir, Cedar, Silver fir) and chest high meadows with tall wildflowers and bushes in full bloom. We also got some views of Hibox ridge and peak. At the end of mile three we made the most challenging creek crossing of the day, but again it was easy due to the low water levels. From this point to the lake was a steady steep and then steeper climb up the bad part of the trail. It was slower going but not too bad since I could tell my companions exactly where we were and how much further we had to go. Map and an altimeter are the key to doing this. There are two beautiful waterfalls in this last mile. The cool spray was refreshing on our hot bodies. We arrived at the lake and it was glorious. Deep blue, sparkling in the sunlight, with a good breeze to kick up little waves, it looked dazzling. After eating we split into 3 parts, the high explorers, the lakeside explorers, and the rest and relaxation team. The high group of two climbed up to Rampart Ridge and a little way towards Lila lake. The lakeside group made it about 2/3 of the way down the lake shore stopping at several little beaches and coves. After my longest ever lunch break as a hike leader we reunited for a group photo and departure. On the way down my group strung out with people going at different speeds, but our lead group stopped periodically to wait for the others to catch up. Statistics 8.5 miles , 2000 ft. gross elevation gain high point 4600 ft. 3 hours up, 2:40 down (slow for some) 90% in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Temperature 72 degrees Visibility 50 miles 82 miles from my north Seattle home Robert Michelson

My 19-year-old son and I ventured up to Rachel Lake/Rampart Ridge for a super workout/hike on Friday. We had perfect weather for hiking, mostly sunny and not too hot. The first three miles were easy and relaxing. Had to cross a few creeklets and mudholes, but nothing major. Saw columbines, phlox, and other unidentified flowers. The next mile or so up to Rachel Lake was extremely strenous and consisted largely of roots, rocks, and a few hunks of dirt. Cool waterfalls made great rest tops. Rachel is beautiful but buggy, with just a few people. A nice resting place for the tired, but we knew greater things beckoned. Off we went up the ridge, about half a mile with fine lake views and heather gardens. Arrived at the Lila/Rampart junction and headed left. We schlepped all the way to the last Rampart Lake and were treated to fabulous views, ponds, rock formations, flowers, and the ultimate lunar landscape. Not a drop of snow in sight except far above us. Basked in the sun a bit before a fast trip back to the car. Oh those 19-year-olds. We did this entire hike in six hours, an athletic feat if there were was one. One of the best close-to-Seattle hikes for motivated hikers.

The “R” half of S&R, recovering from a head cold and a late Saturday night, couldn’t rally Sunday morning, so the “S” half did this hike solo. The drive is easy for low-slung cars, though the road is unpaved after the Kachess Campground turnoff, and there are enough deep potholes that you have to be alert. The gravel road is one lane with frequent turnouts but poor sightlines in places, and there was lots of downhill traffic (mostly fast-moving pick-ups) as I headed up. As noted in the June 8, 2005, report by Janice Van Cleve, after you turn left at the entrance to the campground, you have to take a right fork (on a curve going uphill) in about half a mile. This keeps you on Road 4930, which you take to the well-marked Rachel Lake Trailhead parking lot. The trail starts across the main road from the entrance to the parking lot. Other reports describe the trail well so I won’t repeat that information. But I noticed that the June 8 report got left and right switched at the ridgeline above Rachel Lake. (Lila Lakes and Alta Mtn. are to the right; Rampart Lakes to the left.) I turned right at the ridge top, and stayed right at the next junction, mostly because I thought the trial to Lila would be descending when it split from the Alta ridge trail. At this second junction, the left (less-used) fork appears to go level across the ridge, and the straight-ahead right fork climbs through a saddle, which turned out to lead to the Lila Lakes basin. In fact, the left trail quickly takes a sharp right turn and heads steeply up the nose of the ridge to Alta (this was the way I came down). But going up straight towards Lila turned out to be a better option, I think. Once up into the basin and nearly to the first, shallow lake, I found a well-defined way trail angling back a bit to my left and making a nice comfortable ascent through a grassy meadow to a low spot in the ridge, where I picked up the main ridge trail. It is just a walk to the summit; hands not really needed anywhere, though I did use mine a couple of times. The ridge seemed longer than it probably is, because the several false summits were a bit demoralizing. The only snow on the route was a trivial 20 foot long soft patch a few inches deep on a level spot between the last false summit and the top. There was no exposure there. I saw only 3 other hikers on the ridge to Alta, and they were all descending as I went up, so I had the large summit to myself. There were crowds at Rachel Lake, but most people had headed down by time I passed through on my descent. (By the way, to find the trail up the ridge from Rachel Lake, do not go all the way to the water’s edge. Instead, stay right, and follow trails so that you parallel the lakeshore through the camping areas. Look for the trail to head up through a broken rocky area when you have gone only a little way counterclockwise around the lake.) There is quite a bit of snow in the upper part of the Lila Lakes basin, including at the pass (but no nasty cornice), and parts of some of the upper lakes were still frozen. Both Lila Lakes and Rampart Lakes seem like nice camping spots. Rampart would be more protected from wind, though also probably more shaded, since mountains rise to the west and south of those lakes. Lila Lakes are more open, windswept, and more alpine in appearance. Still no register on the summit. Many Townsend’s solitaires (that’s a kind of bird) swooping around singing incessantly, and black swifts coming in close over the summit ridge. Good mix of flowers in the open parts of the trail in the valley, alongside the creek. Weather was mostly sunny and comfortable, with a nice breeze most of the day. A thunderstorm formed south of I-90 by mid afternoon. When I could not only hear the thunder but also see the lightning, I realized that my time on the summit was over after only 30 minutes. A shame because the views were superb, despite the puffy broken cloud layer that floated over all the peaks. A steady light rain caught me for much of the descent from Rachel Lake, but under the trees it wasn’t even noticeable, and when I did get wet it was nice and cooling. Not even the sort of rain for which you’d bother putting on a jacket. A few slow-moving flies, but no pesky bugs this day, though outbound hikers who’d camped Saturday night said there’d been many mosquitoes overnight. Left the car just before 10:30. Two hours to Rachel Lake, 10 minutes to rest on the rocks alongside the switchbacks above the lake, and a bit under 2 hours from there to the summit. A little over 3 hours to return to the car. All times included numerous stops to listen to the abundant birdsong (winter wrens, three kinds of thrushes, several warblers and vireos) and admire the spectacular waterfalls all along the trail between Rachel and the trailhead. A very nice hike well worth doing.

The weather forecast called for partly sunny with ""widely scattered showers"". They were about right. We left Seattle at 5:00am and arrived at the Rachel Lake trail head at 6:30. Two cars were in the lot, likely belonging to the campers we saw later, plus one hiker arrived just a minute before us. The first few miles are relatively flat and follow along the side of Box Canyon creek, with several nice cascades and deep, clear pools to check out. These are two sections that are starting to become overgrown with plants up to my armpits closing in on both sides. The first big treat is not far away, because when you get to the head wall, there is a very nice waterfall (1st picture). Then the hard climb begins, on a trail that is alternately a staircase of tree roots or a creek bed. Many more waterfalls along the way make for constant rewards. After reaching Rachel lake (2nd picture), we followed the trails along the right side of the lake and up to Rampart Ridge, where the true alpine experience begins. After following the Lila Lake trail a short way, a cairn marks the trail branching off to the left. We followed this trail to the summit of Alta Mtn, passing several false summits and arriving at the true summit in 3 hours from the car. These false summits were a bit tricky since by this time we were well into the cloud deck and could never see the true summit until we were actually on it. But once there, it is pretty obvious that the trail goes no further. Here, the warm cloths went on and we had a snack while hoping the clouds might blow away, but they did not and we were denied any views beyond 50 ft. The return trip went quickly, but for some reason those last 3 miles seemed longer going back than they had coming out. We passed many day hikers and several backpackers on the way down. I got back to the car and a full parking lot at 5hr 25min, having completed 13 miles and about 3,600 ft vertical.

It was another beautiful day in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Joining me were Hitomi, Hiro, Andrew and Margo. This trail is four miles from a 200-site campground. Expect to see other hikers, fishermen, dogs, and an occasional scrambler. It was cool with promises of sun to come. The first 2.5 miles on the valley floor went quickly, with many a scenic river view. Flowers are really starting to pop, including columbine, bluebells, and paintbrush. The trail starts heading up, zigzagging it’s way up and through cliffs, streambeds, waterfalls, roots, rocks and mud. This may not be a first-timer type of trail. There are many magnificent views out to Hibox Mt. Rachel Lake is reached, and the effort pays off. There are plenty of places to camp, including a private spot on the south end of the lake. I crossed the rockslide on an obvious path, disappearing into a cove, complete with a tree sheltered campsite, and a fresh snowmelt stream. However, the fire ring is illegal. It became mostly sunny and warm, with enough room for everybody to spread out. Perhaps I will return to see Rampart and Lila Lakes, along with the summit of Alta. R/T 8 miles, 1900’ gain, six casual hours car to car