Rachel Lake, Rampart Ridge - Rampart Lakes — Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2006

Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass

The wettest day hike I have had in probably 15 years! Started out fine, with warm sunny weather on the valley floor at 9:30. As we started the ascent toward Rachel, the clouds came in and drizzle began and did not let up for most of the day. Got up to Rachel, still raining, then up to the Rampart Lakes basin. Hurriedly ate lunch under some dripping trees--could tell it would have been a gorgeous area if it had been sunny! Immediately started back down, and got past Rachel where it was coming down harder, and back to the river valley--and warm, sunny weather again! Stopped a little over a mile from the trailhead at the smooth rock/waterfall area, and took off all our wet clothes--laid out for a about half an hour before finishing at 3:30. Hope my boots dry out in time for hiking in MRNP on Monday!