Rachel Lake — Friday, Jun. 16, 2006

Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass

Since no one has posted a trail report yet this year, here is the first. You get into snow very soon after leaving the trailhead. At that point it is challenging to follow the way, but with careful attention it can be done. There are a few large logs to go around or over, and a few puddles, but mostly the snow. It is melted out in places such as through some open meadow. Then you get to 2 challenging stream crossings. The first is not very wide and the second one is wider. I contemplated whether I really wanted to do these since I was hiking by myself, but decided to go ahead and was careful. I used my hiking poles which helped for balance. I was wearing full-leather boots and gaiters and got then very wet (but not my feet) so I was glad I wasn't wearing the light weight shoes. I stepped on dry logs or dry rocks or in the creek itself but did not trust any wet rocks or wet logs unless they had a very favorable surface and orientation. Two young men who were coming down the wider crossing at the same time chose to do a big log ""ride-em cowboy"" style, which was just downstream from the main crossing. Once I was past the crossings, the trail became a stream in places. Then there was a fantastic waterfall, I thought I might have to turn around because it looked like a crossing, but then I realized it was a switchback, whew. Then I got to the place where the trail crosses slabs just below the big slopy fanned out waterfall, and it was much easier than I expected (one step on a dry rock, then 3 steps on a big dry log). Then upward and the last section before the lake was still very snowy. It was easy to kick steps into but hard to know where to go. Basically go up until you get into the lake basin. Further right were some footsteps and a creek (with a lot of snow, of course). Bear left if you are next to the creek. The lake was about half frozen over, with a melted rim around the edge. It was a sight for sore eyes - the first alpine lake I think I have hiked to this year. Time: about 2 hours to lake, and almost 2 hours back to car. Good view of Hibox except for the very summit which had a cloud. Glacier lilies (the yellow ones) were out. No other people above the crossings. Hibox and Alta looked very do-able but I didn't have time.