Snow is melting out quick. We spent one night at Rachel Lake and then did a day trip to Rampart Lake and Alta Mountain before descending down to the TH.
TH>Rachel Lake
Virtually snow free until the very last 300 yards. The trail is mild until the last 1.5 mile and then it climbs quickly. The last portion of the trail you play the game "Trail or Stream?" Most of the time the answer is both. However, we never felt like we needed to bust out the sandals. But we are tall and could rock hop with our poles. Additionally, that last portion is a steep climb up and down.
At Rachel the campsites are snow free and the mosquitos are mild, but I would anticipate that they are going to get worse as the snow melts.
Rachel>Rampart
Majority of this trail is in snow. However, it is melting very quick. The climb out of Rachel to the ridge is steep but offers some nice views. Up at the ridge and around Rampart lakes it was mostly snow and not a lot of tracks. Most of the lakes were partially frozen and only several campsites were snow free.
Rachel>Alta
Awesome! Would recommend. Although, you defiantly earn this few with the elevation gain. Alpine wildflowers are poppin and we saw a pika and marmot. Trail was 40% snow and 60% snow free. Great views of Rainier and Adams.
Comments
Love the report and pics. Thx!!
Posted by:
anthonyE on Jul 13, 2022 10:34 AM
Fantastic flowers! I'm a little surprised by all that snow; as I look back at my old logbook, it seems I mostly climbed here in August thru October, so if I go tomorrow it'll be like a spring climb. (I did one in June 2014 when everything was muddy down below, trail impossible to stay on, and Rachel was frozen solid. I did get to the ridge but it was sketchy with cornices, so I headed down.)
Posted by:
Bobman on Jul 13, 2022 03:37 PM