Arrived at the trailhead around 8am on Saturday. The upper lot was full, but there was plenty of parking in the lower lot. The restroom was open and had just a little TP left. We hiked up to Rachel Lake, went up to the viewpoint to Lila Lake, then took the boot path up to the ridge to head over to Alta Mountain. Beautiful fall foliage and great views, although a little hazy from the smoke. Refilled water at Rachel on the way down, and the trail was definitely getting busier by that time. On the way down, we heard a large crash and later found a tree had fallen across the trail. We were able to make our way around, but this fresh fall could make it hard to follow the trail. We were back to the trailhead by 4pm. 

What a ridiculously gorgeous October day. It was in the mid to upper 70s on our fall hike. The road in is fine for all vehicles, just a few minor washboards on the last few miles. The parking lot was completely full at 11:30am and we parked with others along the road. There is a fee station here where you can pay the $5 day pass for the NW Forest Pass if you don't have an annual one. There were already some fall colors on the trees on the drive and by the trailhead.

The first couple miles of trail is quite smooth, crossing a couple small creeks with footpath logs to cross over. The last mile up to Rachel Lake is steep, rocky and rooty, but certainly doable. Try to stay on the main trail and avoid the social trails with logs/sticks blocking entry. The views really start to open up here, with a beautiful vista looking down the valley and up towards Hibox mountain. We could occasionally smell smoke and it was very mildly hazy, but MUCH clearer than it was on the west side of the mountains this day.

The lake is lovely and several folks were going for a swim (is it really October?!?). There are definitely some great fall colors on this hike, but they're very intermittent. It seems like a lot of the vegetation hasn't turned yet, so maybe in another week or two it will be even more colorful. We saw many backpackers, and there were already at least ~5 camps set up at Rachel lake by 2pm, but still plenty more open spots. I know lots of folks also carry on to Rampart lakes and Lila lakes, which I'll definitely need to do next time!

On our hike back down, we came across a huge downed tree across the trail, and no obvious re-route around it. We didn't recall this tree at all from the hike up, and another group near us was also baffled. We bushwhacked around it and caught back up to the trail on the other side, and based on the extremely fresh breakage and strong smell of pine tree, we determined it must have just fallen in the last couple hours since we'd last been on that section of trail on our way up to the lake. It wasn't even windy at all, it must have just been this tree's time to fall. Spooky!

Absolutely no potholes on road. Just a bit of washboard at beginning but otherwise great!

Trail starts steep then levels off for over 2 miles of mainly flat hiking. Then the last mile to Rachel Lake is rugged, steep with roots and rocks. Some pretty nice fall colors right at Rachel Lake. Then when the trail reaches the junction on top of Rampart Ridge, the colors get pretty great again. I turned right/north toward Alta Mountain. I hiked a bit on the ridge then I accidentally missed the Alta Mountain turnoff and continued on toward Lila Lake. As Adam Levine says, this turned out to be a "beautiful mistake" because I passed through some stunning meadows of fall colors! I passed a dried up pond then came to a nice big overlook of Lila Lake and turned around here, opting not to drop any further to the lake. Back near the dried up pond, I actually found an obvious boot path (not shown on Gaia) that connected up to the ridge, so I didn't have to backtrack too far and so the route actually ended up working out perfectly. I highly recommend that slight detour! Once back up on the ridge I continued on toward the summit. There are some rocky sections with some easy class 2 moves here and there, but nothing too difficult for the experienced hiker. Summit views were fantastic, especially looking across Gold Creek toward the colorful slopes of Alaska Mountain with Mt. Thomson rising behind. And looking out to Chikamin Peak and Lemah Mountain. Filtered water and then partially submerged myself in Rachel Lake to cool off before the hike out. On the hike back down the steep section below Rachel Lake I cut up my shin on a root sticking out and had to put my "WFA skills" into action to bandage it up real quick.

I arrived at the trailhead around 7:30 and the parking lot was about half full. No problems driving up the forest service road, it was one of the nicest I've seen this season. The outhouse, on the other hand, was in need of servicing and out of toilet paper. It was a perfect day for a fall hike! My inReach weather forecast said it was about 64 degrees out, but it felt a lot warmer than that - if it weren't for the fall colors I would have mistaken it for a summer day. I didn't smell any smoke up in the mountains, but did begin to notice it when I got back home.

I started out on the trail up to Rachel Lake, the first few miles were easy. About 2/3rds of the way up the climb really starts to get fun, lots of easily-crossed streams in the beginning and many large boulders to step over as you gain elevation. As others have mentioned, it can be easy to lose sight of the trail but you'll know pretty quickly whether you're on the right track or not.

Rachel Lake had some pretty fall colors, but I didn't stay long as my focus for the day was Lila Lake. I took a quick break and continued up towards Alta Mountain. I actually found it hard to follow the trail towards after the first "false summit" of Alta, and turned around once it started to get rocky. If it's fall colors you're after, I would recommend making it past the first meadow up Alta, but no need to go further unless you plan to summit.

Finally, I made my way down to Lila Lake. WOW, what an incredible place! The fall colors are popping, and I'd say are at their peak. I was jealous of the backpackers who got to camp in this beautiful place, but many of them said it was a miserable climb up with their heavy packs - I could certainly see where they're coming from there.

Overall, I clocked 12 miles in just under 7 hours, which was slower than my usual hiking pace. Take that information as you will, but I'd say the trail was definitely more technical near the top than the others I've done this season.

Left the trailhead at 9:15 and arrived at the lake at approx 11:30. The parking lot was full so I parked on the side of the road in the lot . Other cars were parked up and down the main road . The trail is relatively flat for the first 2 to 3 miles then gets steep the last mile or so to the lake . It starts out nice and shady heading through the forest following the creek off and on with views of the peaks above at times . The creek has a lot of big boulders as well as the trail giving me that eastern Washington fealing . I get a different vibe on the other side of the pass. It’s a good vibe “like I’m free at last” beautiful trail and hike . It reminds me of being in a relationship. Starting out fun and easy with lots to enjoy and then like all relationships comes sacrifices with rewards ! This trail then turns real steep in about the last mile and you need to work pretty hard to get to the lake . The reward is well worth it but it doesn’t come easey.the lake is very cold , I lasted about 30 seconds and headed back for the shore real quick. Had lunch and headed back down . I stopped at one of the waterfalls down on the flat part of the trail and dunked my head in the creek and took another 5 minute break to relax. Arrived back at the truck approx 2:30 . This is one trail worth every bit of the work I put in to it . I would definitely want to do an overnight hike here and explore more