Rachel Lake — Saturday, Sep. 21, 2024

The views are stunning but the trail is a little rough. Very rocky and the large amount of rocks and roots makes it feel like you're climbing stairs for the last mile and a half up to the lake. The trail has some low bridges a little over half a mile in, some parts have started to give way, already broken, or rotted. After about a mile in the trail there is a downed tree across the trail about 1.5-2ft in diameter elevated off the ground by about 2-2.5ft. There is another downed tree same size maybe a half mile after laying on the ground (I didn't check my watch). Additionally the trail is very poorly marked. Lots of side paths or desire paths are that lead nowhere. Myself and the other hikers I chatted with bonded over how often we lost the trail. Also there are no trail junction signs. There is no sign at the junction at Rachel Lake proper and no sign at the major T junction past Rachel lake that leads to Alta Mountain/Lila Lake trail or Rampart Lakes. Trail could use a little love but the views are stunning though, especially from Alta Mountain.