High theft area!!! I know this page is for trail conditions, but wanna get the word out. we were there in late aug and were the first of two weekends of break-ins. needs to be a posting on the message board or something... every car in the parking lot was broken into and had windows broken and stuff stolen so BEWARE!!! aside from that, the trails were nice and clear, the lakes were beautiful but very crowded. on the way down (sat afternoon) we counted 62 people, 4 dogs and 2 babys!

I was hoping for a summit of Hibox Mt. I know there is a climber's trail that leaves the Rachel Lake Trail at around 3300ft. I was dismayed to see that the trailhead had seen some serious car vandalism in the not so distant past. There was broken car glass everywhere. The weather was quite sunny and pleasant as I made my way up the easy grade to my jump off point. I left the trail where there is a well defined trail that leads through the forest at a moderate grade. At about 3700ft the pitch turns to much more of a scramble. I had no problem following the trail but I had more problems with the mental side. I just couldn't muster the desire to complete the remaining 2500ft of climb. I wasn't in the mood for such a steep climb. I backtracked to the Rachel Lake trail and ended up at Rachel Lake. I was quite content to mearly sit on a rock for 90 minutes just soaking up the sun and scenery. I think I need a little relaxation more than another summit bagged. I will surely return to visit Hibox's summit which I am quite sure has some close and upfront views of Three Queens and the Lemah-Chimney Rock group.

Opted out of work for a mid-week trip to the Ramparts to introduce my middle-school daugther and visiting sister-in-law to this wonderful area. Found the trailhead littered with what looked like recent broken glass. Trail was in good condition, but with its usual steep, uneven ascent to Rachel Lk. A swim at Rachel was very tempting, but we feared it would sap our motivation to reach the upper lakes. Our ascent from there was slowed somewhat by the blueberries, but we finally pulled in and found a spot in the Ramparts for our camp. A good jumping rock provided quick entry to a cold lake ... but quite refreshing. After another extended blueberry session, we settled in for dinner and a starry night. A beautiful sunrise, more blueberries, and a bit of wandering kept us busy in the morning, as clouds started pouring over the lower ridges. As we made our way down to Rachel Lake, my daughter slipped and came up screaming in pain and holding her wrist. After calming her down, it appeared she had hurt her lower arm or wrist pretty badly trying to break her fall. We splinted it up (using a ThermaRest chair), gave her some Ibuprofen, divided up most of her gear, and slowly made our way back to the car ... only to find the rear window of our car smashed out. Fortunately, we didn't have any valuables in the car, and only lost a few CDs, a cooler (no beer), and a pair of jeans. The intruders clearly were experienced, though, and had completely searched the car, including the spare-tire compartment. After a little clean-up, we were back on the road to Seattle, where a visit to the emergency room revealed a broken arm. All in all, still a great trip, but I learned a couple of lessons. First, don't leave ANY valuables in your car at the trailhead, and don't lock the door. Hikers are a good lot, and aren't going to cause problems. The locked door only forces the bandits to break the window. Second, and most important, always carry a reasonably stocked first aid kit and know how to use it. I've carried mine trip after trip for 20 years, with little use other than bandaids and moleskin. But, I was quickly reminded that major issues are just an instant away. The Red Cross offers a Mountaineering Oriented First Aid course that teaches the basics, with an understanding that you can't call 911 and that you'll have to improvise.

Few trails are as much fun as an unofficial boot track. I did trail #1313 earlier, up to Rachel Lake and on to Mt. Alta, but I wanted to try the back door. So I took exit #54 off I-90 and got on road 4832. At a bend with a brown sign pointing right to Lake Lillian, I took a left on the unmarked, overgrown road #136 to an unoffical trail head on Rocky Run Creek. The tread on this trail is really pretty nice. It is overgrown in places and gains altitude by going straight up, but all in all pretty nice. No signs. Look for cairns. First junction is at Laura Lake. Take the right fork. This will soon join #1332 from Mt. Margaret and take you to Lake Lillian. Take the right fork and gingerly traverse a steep boulder (need some dynamite here) to skirt the shore of Lillian about 100 yards. At a fork, go right and up - really up. The trail from Lillian to the ridge crest is almost vertical up a narrow gap. Next landmark is Rampart Puddle. Beyond that, the trail fades out on bare rock so look for the cairns. I put up a few myself just to find my way back. Past this you cross just east of the ridgeline across an open, grassy slope loaded with blueberries. There were enough blueberries in that one stretch to fill 2 marine containers! Then the trail descends through switchbacks. Look for Rachel Lake below, South Rampart Lake to the left and a big orange rock mount right in front. The trail leads across dry tarns and more blueberries to Rampart lakes where it braids into a hundred different paths. Enjoy the explore but if you are going further, follow the trail just past the big north Rampart lake to a 4 way crossroads. Take a left. You'll know you got the right one if you come to a puncheon or turnpike (a rock filled part of the trail with logs to hold the rocks in). This will take you winding along the ridge line to the connection down to Rachel Lake or further north to Lila Lakes and Mt. Alta. I loved this hike! The trail was unashamed to gain altitude aggressively when it had to, it was unmarked so I had to explore from time to time to find the way, and the lakes and scenery were fantastic. Did I mention the blueberries?

The trail to Rachel Lake is easygoing until the last mile. Then it's a rocky, muddy, rooty and very steep trail. A swim in Rachel Lake is recommended. We went past Rachel Lake and camped at Rampart Lakes. The trail to Rampart Lakes from RAchel is not too bad. Rampart lakes are gorgeous. We camped at the last lake on the trail, which afforded the most solitude in the area. My husband also climbed Alta Mountain for a dayhike and said the views were spectacular! It's a scramble up there. Not too many bugs at all.