We decided to do a one-night backpack close to home this weekend so we chose Rampart Lakes. We got to the trailhead Saturday morning around 930am and it was packed, thought it appears it was mostly Friday night campers and day-hikers. The lot was nearly empty when we left Sunday afternoon @1pm.
For as many cars as there were in the lots and along the road, we didn't encounter an excessive amount of people on the trail, it was busy, but there were plenty of moments where we were the only ones around. We got to Rampart when some Friday night campers were packing up, so there was a selection of sites to pitch the tent. Weather was great up until Saturday evening, when it got quite breezy and it rained overnight. The morning we had drizzle and mist, and then mostly good weather on the hike down.
Trail conditions were good - there are small snowfields past Rachel Lake that were easy to cross with no traction. There are some points where we felt we may have lost the trail because you're hiking up a creek for a decent ways, but the mud on the tops of rocks is reassuring to know many other hikers have come this way. This was more the case Sunday after the rains overnight increased the water flow. There are paths that look promising, but they are well marked as the wrong way to go with branches laid across. The first 2.5 miles of the hike are relatively easy, with little elevation gain. The third mile is a bit harder, and the last mile up to Rachel and the mile to Rampart are a workout! The lakes are gorgeous, so it's worth the slog to get up there.
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