Started out at 7:15 at the Rachel Lake Trailhead on the way to Hibox. The morning was cool, sunny and perfect. Only a very few bugs on the trail today. Quickly went the two or so miles to the second clearing, but had considerable difficulty finding the climbers path to the north side of the main trail. The climbers trail itself isn't very clear until you are about 100 feet away from the main trail, hence the difficulty. For those looking in the future, the climbers trail is no more than 50 meters from the end of the large second clearing on the main trail. The beginning of the climbers trail begins in a large, open area on the right which obscures the starting point. I would have marked this for future walkers, but I had nothing suitable for that. Once that was sorted out the going was straightforward. The trail goes up the forest steeply, and is followed easily (though it pays to watch carefully) to about 5400' where the way becomes more vague and steps appear to go off in different directions. Just keep going up with the goal of ending up to the east of the summit block and it works outs well. Some loose rock below the ridge, take care for those (if any) below. Easy scrambling yields the summit with superb 360 views of all the surrounding peaks. Ice axe was carried but not needed on the trip as only small patches of snow remain (oddly, there was more on the Rachel Lake trail than on the way up to hibox) Treking poles were more useful going down the steep somes times loose path. Didn't see anyone all day once I stepped off the Rachel Lake trail. Overall an excellent scramble, with great views and surprising solitude considering the perfect weather and holiday weekend.

Headed up the afternoon of Sat July 1st to see what the snow levels were above 5,000 feet for a PCT hike next week. Day was sunny and gorgeous, was going to listen to my Ipod but instead let the Box Canyon River play it's magical tune the whole 4 miles up to Rachel Lake. Trail was 95% snow free, with easy crossing creeks, and only a few muddy trail puddles to skirt around. Rachel was snow free and 90% bare ground around the lake for camping. Not too many people on trail from 2 - 6 PM. I counted maybe about 20 cars at the trail head, where the NW Pass and camping signs were covered up by the Rangers for some reason. After Rachel, I hiked up to the Rampart lakes. Initial trail had snow on it but that soon was gone as South facing trail was clear until right at the top of Ridge. There, at 5,300 feet elevation, it was 95% snow covered. Easily walkable as I went left for teh short walk to Rampart Lakes. These lakes were about 80% frozen with the same snow % on the ground. Soft and pliable snow but not so soft to post-hole through it. Views across the valley North to the PCT showed from Alaska Lake to Kendall Katwalk to be free of snow except for a few patches of snow running across trail. These were south-SE facing slopes so it made sense. Loved this energetic climbing hike due to more great waterfalls than I could count, with one an easy match for Spray Falls near Mowich Lake on Rainier. Walked in shorts and did not see or feel one bug the whole way. Sorry the pictures are lousy. Only had my cheap camera phone to capture the beauty. Snow is melting fast, enjoy.

Well there are two other reports for this route listed but only address the trail up to Rachel Lake. We continued above the lake on Saturday with Rampart Ridge as a goal. We advise the route above the lake be attenpted with an ice axe as a slip or fall could be dangerous due to the approach on step terrain and ""rough run-out"". Use caution in the snow fields since the obvious route is through snow patches and to gain access to the exposed rocks above. The snow around the rocks is soft and ""post holing"" is common. Once on the rocks the route is fine. Even some of the ""bootpath"" for this upper route is beginning to be exposed. Great views and the weather cooperated all day - no precip! Round trip seven hours hiking time. It was 46 deg. F at the lake. A steady wind made the air feel cool.

Nice hike to Rachel Lake. Lots of snow almost immediately after starting up the trail. The trail is hard to follow because of this. There are a couple of large trees down over the trail but it's not bad. Only a few areas are melted out, such as the open meadow and rocky areas. There are two challenging stream crossings which I decided to do carefully since I had hiking poles and full leather boots and gaiters. Two young guys coming down preferred using the ""ride-em cowboy"" method on a large log at the wider crossing (just downstream from the main crossing). I didn't see anyone else above that point. The trail became a stream in places. The slabby creek crossing up high beneath the slopy wide waterfall was easy due to a large dry log that was strategically placed. Above that it was challenging to know exactly where to go to get to the lake since it was all snowy but stay to the left of the creek and look for the lake basin. The lake was about half frozen over and was a sight for sore eyes - I think it was the first alpine lake I have hiked to this year. Hibox and Alta looked inviting but I didn't have time. Some flowers were out (for example, the yellow glacier lilies in the meadows).

Since no one has posted a trail report yet this year, here is the first. You get into snow very soon after leaving the trailhead. At that point it is challenging to follow the way, but with careful attention it can be done. There are a few large logs to go around or over, and a few puddles, but mostly the snow. It is melted out in places such as through some open meadow. Then you get to 2 challenging stream crossings. The first is not very wide and the second one is wider. I contemplated whether I really wanted to do these since I was hiking by myself, but decided to go ahead and was careful. I used my hiking poles which helped for balance. I was wearing full-leather boots and gaiters and got then very wet (but not my feet) so I was glad I wasn't wearing the light weight shoes. I stepped on dry logs or dry rocks or in the creek itself but did not trust any wet rocks or wet logs unless they had a very favorable surface and orientation. Two young men who were coming down the wider crossing at the same time chose to do a big log ""ride-em cowboy"" style, which was just downstream from the main crossing. Once I was past the crossings, the trail became a stream in places. Then there was a fantastic waterfall, I thought I might have to turn around because it looked like a crossing, but then I realized it was a switchback, whew. Then I got to the place where the trail crosses slabs just below the big slopy fanned out waterfall, and it was much easier than I expected (one step on a dry rock, then 3 steps on a big dry log). Then upward and the last section before the lake was still very snowy. It was easy to kick steps into but hard to know where to go. Basically go up until you get into the lake basin. Further right were some footsteps and a creek (with a lot of snow, of course). Bear left if you are next to the creek. The lake was about half frozen over, with a melted rim around the edge. It was a sight for sore eyes - the first alpine lake I think I have hiked to this year. Time: about 2 hours to lake, and almost 2 hours back to car. Good view of Hibox except for the very summit which had a cloud. Glacier lilies (the yellow ones) were out. No other people above the crossings. Hibox and Alta looked very do-able but I didn't have time.