Rachel Lake — Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024

Went on Wednesday August 28, 2024. Started hiking at 0845 and was back by 1345 including 40 break at top. Parking lot 50% full at start and 85-90% full by the time I was back. Lots of overnight crews going into the holiday weekend. No cell service once you hit the gravel forest service road anywhere onward. Download maps beforehand.

Don’t be a rookie like me when filling out the day pass. There are pens hidden in the drop box.

Trail is mostly protected from the sun so it keeps the temperature down. I wore a mid weight hoodie the first 2.5-3 miles without issue. Your feet will get wet in this trail. Numerous light/shallow streams throughout and the top section water runs down sections of the trail.

First section (before crossing the creek) is quite easy. Little to no elevation gain. A few trees fallen over the trail, not impassable just keeps it fun.

The trip report is correct about the second section once you cross the creek you follow at the start. The trail changes dramatically and aggressively. It is steep, rocky, wet, and hard to read. I had to back track down numerous falls trails. Look for branch Xs over many false trails and some orange marking tape at some particularly confusing turns. Some sections of the trail don’t look like trail and are just open boulder or big rock. As long as you stay focused and look for the trail work and boot prints you’ll make it without issue.