Day hiked to Rachel Lake and Lila Lake today, starting from the Rachel Lake trailhead (still a few spots left at 8:30 am). The first few miles toward Rachel Lake are relatively chill. There are ripe salmonberries and thimbleberries, and the blueberries/huckleberries are just coming to their peak. The last mile or mile and a half to Rachel Lake are quite rocky and rooty; we definitely underestimated it! Rachel Lake was very beautiful witn crystal turquoise water and nice views.

We left one member of the party at Rachel Lake, and the rest headed to Lila Lake. The WTA trail description is accurate and we enjoyed the scenery as we headed over. Great views of Hibox Mountain and surrounding peaks. We took our time on the way down (including a little side trip up the creek about a mile from the trailhead, where I picked up some other hikers' trash...) and returned to our car at about 4:30 pm. 

I'm writing to urge people not to dump food into the lakes.  Whatever you don't eat from a meal...treat it as garbage and PACK IT OUT!  Trout do not eat Ramen noodles or boiled rice.  Keep your pots and pans, and dishes away from lakes.

Also included is garbage picked up along the trail. 

This is a fantastic day hike or backpacking adventure... But remember everybody else is doing it too.  Leave no trace please! Use the pit toilet! respect each other's tranquility. :)

we hiked to Rachel lake on a Wednesday, set up base camp and enjoyed the lake on day 1.  bugs were very annoying, wind was a thing, lake was beautiful and the lake did not have too many visitors yet. day 2, we took small daypacks to rampart and explored.  If you are doing Rachel, don't overlook this area! Plan to add it, it is very worth the extra steps and sweat! There are streams, flowers, and lakes everywhere.  It felt like a movie set. We added Lila and got a good look at it but it started to rain and so we headed back to base camp.  There are plenty of camping spots but it gets very crowded! I don't remember the road coming in. :( the trail is decent but the last mile or so gets gnarly.  Have your navigation, take your time, pay attention.  In the parking lot before we started our hike was a family with 4 kids and we saw them at the lake so they did it!  Infant was in a front pack and then the 3 kiddos hiked-oldest was maybe 9.  We saw them at the lake so we know they made it! We were impressed due to the trail and distance.  

Started around 10am on a Wednesday, and there were still spots available in the upper lot. Passed a few groups on the way up, but I had Rachel Lake to myself. On the way back down, there were many backpackers and others hanging out at the lake. The hike up to Rachel Lake is easy, albeit overgrown in places during the first couple of miles. Then it becomes filled with roots and rocks for the final mile, which was a bit annoying and slow. If you're not backpacking or have other destinations in mind, I would personally skip this one as a day hike, or save it until you've crossed off other countless lakes in the area. There was a breeze at the lake, but I was still getting swarmed and eaten by mosquitoes.

After a snack at the lake, I headed back to the trail just past the 'toilet' sign, and you head uphill quickly, with nice views of Rachel Lake from above. The trail is much nicer from here all the way to Alta Mountain. When you reach the T intersection, head right for Alta and left for Rampart Lakes. The next turn is a left up the ridge, which is a little harder to spot, but from there, the trail is easy to follow all the way to the summit.

The views on the ridge and at the top of Alta Mountain make the slog through the forest below Rachel Lake absolutely worth it. There are some steep sections, but you get breaks on the ridge walk, and most of the tough climbing is behind you. If you've done any scrambles around Alpental or off the PCT, you'll be able to admire your handiwork from the top. There is also an excellent view of the Kendall Katwalk here. Heading back down the section below Rachel Lake feels even more tedious on tired legs.

About 90 seconds after I left the summit, a fighter jet came ripping up Gold Creek valley below me before doing some sharp turns and maneuvers to the north. I caught part of it, but it would have been cool to see it fly all the way up the valley.

My goal was to reach Rampart Lakes, but I started too late in the morning so by the time I got to Rachel Lake I ate a late lunch and went back. The trail was in good shape. Beautiful lake!