Gear (used): GTX Hiking boots, poles, microspikes, gaiters
Gear (unused): N/A
Gear (should have brought): Semi-rigid mountaineering boots, snow pants, snow shoes (for the drift section, perhaps)
Bugs: None observed
Overnight to Rachel Lake (from RL TH). Trail is muddy throughout but not sloppy. Gaiters were useful in the last section; microspikes not required.
Handful of day-hikers present at the lake early-afternoon, then complete solitude later on. Lots of snow patches but able to find a dry camp spot. Nighttime conditions were ~20*F or slightly lower; no wind. Fortunate to have such a popular place to one's self for first overnight trip here. Evening and sunset were utterly brilliant - Rachel Lake truly is stunning esp with fall colors vs snowy contrast.
Late start off to Alta the next day. Trail up from RL was mostly dry; did not require microspikes. Trail towards Lily Lakes also uneventful. Branched off to Alta and put on microspikes shortly after reaching snow. Trail was easy to follow and no real points of concern over the multiple false peaks. Upon reaching the last (and finally viewing the true summit), it was clear there was some deep snow drift present to cross of which I failed to bring snow/gtx pants. It was 3pm by then - and that last section while certainly possible, clearly would have taken some considerable time getting to and from. I decided to turn back to pack camp and egress.
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