Rachel Lake — Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022

Escaped from the smoke to the mountains. Remarkably clear skies in the Snoqualmie backcountry compared to the dense smoke in the lowlands.  Had not done this hike for 15 years, so was curious what it would look and feel like.  Fall colors were plentiful. Started at the trailhead at 10:00 am with two companions and made our way up to the lake--actually more of a workout than I remembered, but of course I was also older! I did remember the very rooty sections. Saw about a dozen people on trail, more than I had ever seen before there. My last two times to this lake I had continued to Rampart Lakes and Lila Lakes, but this trip was just Rachel. Temps were in the 70s at the lake, and I took a quick dip in the water.  After lunch we headed back down, and the smoke was present as soon as we got back to the highway around 3:00 pm.