Rachel Lake, Lila Lake — Monday, Jun. 26, 2023

I arrived at 7:00 am this last Monday and was the third car in the lot. I shouldered my pack with photo gear and headed up. I encountered three groups of overnight hikers and their dogs, carrying doggy packs, as they descended. I was otherwise, alone until my descent. The temperature was cool in the woods and when passing by waterfalls, even cooler. My goal was to hike to the Lila Lake overlook and take photos to create a spherical panorama. I came close but did not quite make it. I took one viewpoint shot above the tarns that sit on a bench above Lila Lake. I was so close to my overlook destination but did not know it, was exhausted from the hike up, and was out of time having reached my turnaround time. I suppose I will have to come back.

Roots, Rocks, Mud, and Waterfalls: The delights of the Rachel Lake Trail. The WTA hike description accurately portrays the character of the hike. The first miles through the forest have a gentle uphill gradient with a few sections of steeper rocks and roots and several muddy areas. The first two miles gain only 500 feet. The next mile, another 500 feet, and the last section to the lake, another roughly 830 feet. And that would not be so bad but the steepening trail is rough, climbing up and over gnarly tree roots and boulder-strewn streambeds until the lake. And the subsequent section up to the Lila Lake – Alta Mountain split does not ease up either.

Allow plenty of time for this hike if you plan to make a day hike beyond Rachel Lake to either Rampart Lakes, Lila Lake, or the summit of Alta Mountain. There are some lovely waterfalls on the way up but the nature of the rough trail means that you will likely spend a lot more time than usual for this distance and elevation gain. And it is easy to get off the main trail, which I did on the way down. On the descent, I discovered a waterfall I had not seen on the way up and knew I was off trail. I clambered over some rough vegetation and tree roots to regain the main trail. The woodland hosts a healthy crop of Devil’s Club, which is something you do not want to spend time with.

The Rachel Lake Trail can be at times very tedious and annoying. This hike is more difficult and time-consuming than the stats suggest. The redeeming quality is that it is quite beautiful with both the scenery and sounds of the trailside creek and tumbling waterfalls. In addition to large ants and many ground squirrels, I encountered a Ruffed Grouse above Rachel Lake and saw several Fritillary butterflies along the trail. And, the morning clouds were amazing, until the afternoon sky became enshrouded with gray.

My overall hiking distance was a bit over 10 miles with an elevation gain of 2,850 feet.

On the way down I took photos for two more spherical panoramas. Take a virtual tour! Links to the panoramas I took are below. Be sure to click the full-screen icon as you roll over the upper right of the photo for the best viewing.

Alpine Tarns, Lila Lake Trail, Alpine Lakes Wilderness, WA: https://www.360cities.net/image/alpine-tarns-lila-lake-trail-alpine-lakes-wilderness-wa

Rachel Lake from Lila Lake Trail, Alpine Lakes Wilderness, WA: https://www.360cities.net/image/rachel-lake-from-lila-lake-trail-alpine-lakes-wilderness-wa-usa

Box Creek Canyon Waterfall, Rachel Lake Trail, Alpine Lakes Wilderness, WA: https://www.360cities.net/image/box-creek-canyon-waterfall-rachel-lake-trail-alpine-lakes-wilderness-wa

More Information on this Trip Report

• https://www.360cities.net/image/alpine-tarns-lila-lake-trail-alpine-lakes-wilderness-wa
• https://www.360cities.net/image/rachel-lake-from-lila-lake-trail-alpine-lakes-wilderness-wa-usa