Trail to Rachel lake gets snowed out before reaching the switchbacks. Lots of water on trail as snow is still melting and all creeks or drainages are overflowing. We tried to find the trail in the snow, but ended up following a couple of ribbons to the wrong trail. This trail went straight up the ridge to the right and was a challenge trying to follow. We ended up hiking back to the first large waterfall and spending the night, which work out great. We were still bummed that we couldn't make it to the lake.

The trail is still about 90% covered. There are a few places where the trail is visible along the valley approach and during the climb to the lake. The blow-down was not a problem since there is so much snow on the ground to provide an altenative route. There were at least two creek crossings at the upper end of Box Canyon that required some creativity negotiating but are certianly passable. Route finding skills are a requirement (map and compass) to reach the lake. Many wild flowers are beginning to appear (Glacier Lilly's, Trillium, etc.). The lake has approximately 3 to 4 feet of snow remaining with the outlet just beginning to open up. The waterfalls during the final approach to the lake are quite beautiful with one outstanding falls at a trail crossing approximately 1/4 mile from the lake- a must see.

The trail is at least 90% snow covered. In the places where there was no snow, there was often water on the trail. Many wildflowers were on the snow free ground. There were a few creek crossings that took some time to find a way across without getting wet. Most of the trail in the flat part of the Box Canyon had about 2-5 feet of snow covering it. Some nice waterfalls could be seen cascading down into the canyon. You will need some pretty good route-finding skills (at least better than ours) to make it to Rachel Lake. Most of the time you pretty much have to wing it, as there is no real trail to speak of. We managed to get ourselves into a nasty bushwhack at one point. However, the snow level was high enough that brush was usually not a problem. Somehow we followed the wrong stream in our attempt to reach Rachel Lake. Looking over the map later, it seems that we took a stream too far north and ended up following it in the direction of Alta Mountain. We dead-ended at a completely snow covered cirque.

The trail is not easily followed since it is entirely covered by snow. One need only follow the creek to stay in the general vicinity of the trail, however. This is not the best time to take this trip. The snow is generally easy to walk on with just boots, but there are several areas where the ground is just a large, wet boggy area.

Trail in fine condition. Some snow above Rachel Lake, but path still visible up to Rampart Lakes.