This hike had everything: cool forests, stream crossings, lakes, high ridge lines, expansive views, chipmunks!
After some recent big hikes, I felt a little over-confident about this hike. I started around 7:30 AM thinking that I'd be up and back to the car by early afternoon to avoid the heat of the day. However, on several occasions I found myself off-trail and having to backtrack and double check my map. I'm a little directionally challenged so this might have been more of a personal problem. Although I did pass someone on the way down who was also having a hard time finding their way.
Because of my unexpected side quests it was slower going than I expected, and I made it to the split-off from Lila Lake to Alta Mountain in full, hot sun. While it was brutal for me (I don't particularly thrive in the heat, and it was just kind of an off-day for me), the views were amazing.
I passed a lot of backpackers and the lakes seem like they would be an awesome place to spend the night. The trail to Rachel Lake was very rooty, and I tripped and fell at one point on the way down. So props to the folks who haul their overnight gear up and down the trail.
Long story short, this was a beautiful hike and I need to look into a sun hoodie.
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