Rachel Lake, Rampart Ridge - Rampart Lakes — Monday, Aug. 22, 2005

Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass

Few trails are as much fun as an unofficial boot track. I did trail #1313 earlier, up to Rachel Lake and on to Mt. Alta, but I wanted to try the back door. So I took exit #54 off I-90 and got on road 4832. At a bend with a brown sign pointing right to Lake Lillian, I took a left on the unmarked, overgrown road #136 to an unoffical trail head on Rocky Run Creek. The tread on this trail is really pretty nice. It is overgrown in places and gains altitude by going straight up, but all in all pretty nice. No signs. Look for cairns. First junction is at Laura Lake. Take the right fork. This will soon join #1332 from Mt. Margaret and take you to Lake Lillian. Take the right fork and gingerly traverse a steep boulder (need some dynamite here) to skirt the shore of Lillian about 100 yards. At a fork, go right and up - really up. The trail from Lillian to the ridge crest is almost vertical up a narrow gap. Next landmark is Rampart Puddle. Beyond that, the trail fades out on bare rock so look for the cairns. I put up a few myself just to find my way back. Past this you cross just east of the ridgeline across an open, grassy slope loaded with blueberries. There were enough blueberries in that one stretch to fill 2 marine containers! Then the trail descends through switchbacks. Look for Rachel Lake below, South Rampart Lake to the left and a big orange rock mount right in front. The trail leads across dry tarns and more blueberries to Rampart lakes where it braids into a hundred different paths. Enjoy the explore but if you are going further, follow the trail just past the big north Rampart lake to a 4 way crossroads. Take a left. You'll know you got the right one if you come to a puncheon or turnpike (a rock filled part of the trail with logs to hold the rocks in). This will take you winding along the ridge line to the connection down to Rachel Lake or further north to Lila Lakes and Mt. Alta. I loved this hike! The trail was unashamed to gain altitude aggressively when it had to, it was unmarked so I had to explore from time to time to find the way, and the lakes and scenery were fantastic. Did I mention the blueberries?