Summary.
An overnight trip to Rampart Lakes, with a side trip to the top of Alta Mountain. A surprising amount of solitude – coupled with breathtaking scenery – greeted me on Saturday morning. By the afternoon, the hiker population swelled, though there was still plenty of room to roam. The over 3,000 feet of elevation gain may make thighs burn on the ascent. Likewise, knees might scream on the descent.
That said, the trip got me into the crystal clear waters of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. I was able to bag a peak, enjoying panoramic views of the Cascades. The hill climbs provide constant views, with lakes and waterfalls surprising hikers ever-so-often. Not a bad way to spend a weekend.
Land Acknowledgement
Each community and every ecosystem owe their existence to the generations past who made the history that has led to this very moment. The Alpine Lakes Wilderness is on the cultural, ancestral, and traditional land of the Snoqualmie and Yakima first peoples – past and present. As visitors, we honor the resiliency of the original stewards, as well as the resiliency of the land itself.
Part one: trailhead to Rachel Lake
I arrived at a near-empty parking lot at 7 AM on a Saturday. The 14 miles of Forest Road to the trailhead is a bit bumpy, though there were some sedans at the top. The trail to Rachel Lake is well-maintained and easy to follow. The trail grows ever-so-steeper as you approach the lake, with some creek crossings and small scrambles.
Because Rachel Lake is at the bottom of a large bowl, the winds can be quite strong. I only spent moments here because it got chilly, and I was far too lazy to find another layer. All together, I only saw about five other parties – a surprisingly sparse number for a bright & sunny weekend.
Part two: Rachel Lake to Rampart Lakes
I entered switchback city the second I left Rachel Lake. The burn was worth it, as every turn provided an opportunity to gaze at the lake and scenery from hundreds of feet up. Once I reached junction to Rampart Lakes & Lila Lake, the elevation gain eased up.
About a half mile past that junction, the extensive trails meandering around the many lakes create a maze. There are several ways to get from the northern tip of the lakes to the southern extent, and finding my way out was a recurring challenge. Visitors here should absolutely have some wayfinding chops.
I set up camp, filtered water, and ate lunch at a beautiful shore between two lakes. A small waterfall was just 50 feet away, tucked behind some trees. At this time, there was one other camper and two other groups at the lake. I grabbed my daypack and headed for the top of the hill.
Part three: Rampart Lakes to Alta Mountain
“It’s always nice to be on top of something,” a fellow hiker told me as I passed them on the way to Alta’s peak. I couldn’t agree more – especially if that something is 6,275 feet above sea level. The views from the ridge and mountaintop are breathtaking: reminiscent of Lord of the Rings scenery. Navigating past the false peak is very tricky, and some past scrambling chops are necessary. Getting to the true peak is a tad nerve-wracking, with wind gusts blowing as you navigate down a narrow path with steep hills on both sides.
Lila Lake comes into focus and disappears along the ascent, revealing other crystal-clear lakes dotted with snow. Facing south, Mount Rainier peeks above the hills and clouds. Rampart Lakes are also visible from the trail to the peak. In addition, Snoqualmie Pass ski resort is easily visible – fascinating to see the runs and lifts from this angle.
The climb up to the tip of Alta added 1,175 feet of elevation gain over two miles, out-and-back from Rampart Lakes. Starting at noon, I returned by 3 PM.
Upon return to camp at Rampart Lakes, the population has swelled. Over a half-dozen camps dotted the area. I did some relaxing, drinking, and swimming. After dinner, I spent the night listening to music and stargazing. The winds were quite chilly, but no match for any three-season sleeping bag.
Part four: Rampart Lakes to trailhead
It’s official: I’m old now. My right knee was screaming at me.
The first three-quarters of the hike down involved technical trails, steep descents, and those aforementioned scrambles. I passed a lot more people on the way down. Validating that point, the parking lot was full by the time I left, around 3 PM.
Final thoughts
This overnight to the Alpine Lakes Wilderness was a wonderful start to backpacking season. No shortage of viewpoints, lake and waterfalls are well worth the effort. I've previously visited Rachel Lake and camped overnight at Lila Lake, and I’m happy to check Rampart Lakes and Alta Mountain off that list. Fun stuff.
In addition to the photos & videos below, check out this Adobe Lightroom album: https://lightroom.adobe.com/shares/0604a6a9a4a4434695b64e0306c0d44d
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