Rampart Lakes via Lake Lillian

We drove uprear Gold Creek Pond at Hyak to  FSR 4832 and FSR 136 to hike up to Lake Lillian and Rampart Lakes. Our overall hike was 6 miles round trip with an overall gain of 2,200".
There weren't many wildflowers in bloom up at Rampart Lakes, but the fields around and above Lake Lillian were full of wildflowers.
The first couple of miles are in the woods. This unofficial trail goes through the woods and the beginning is wet where a stream crosses the trail.

The trail opens up briefly where we saw lots of wildflowers in bloom.

There were ripe thimbleberries, salmonberries and huckleberries along the trail.

Rocky Run Creek coming down the boulders alongside the trail.

This is a steep trail, a couple of places we used our hands going up.

Lake Lillian is gorgeous! The trail goes around to the other side of the lake, then heads up Rampart Ridge.

Lillian Lake from the other side.

This portion of the hike is very steep! There were lots of wildflowers in bloom along this slope.

Beautiful!!!

It was necessary to use our hands to pull ourselves up portions of this trail

One of the steepest sections of trail I have ever done.

As the trail reaches the Ridgeline, we had a great view down to Lake Lillian and across to Lake Kachess and Mt Rainier.











On the other side of the ridge, we had views of Hibox and further out: Mt Stuart













We then followed the trail along the ridgeline going up and watching for the trail split a short ways after this pond (take the trail to the right)

As the trail continues to head up Rampart Ridge, we had a view down to the beautiful Rachel Lake below.

The trail then drops down about 300 ft to the Rampart Lakes, our first view of one of these lakes behind the large orangish rock formation.

We found there are many social trails in this area, it is important to keep an eye out for the route to the lakes.

Another pond as we neared Rampart Lakes, Hibox in the distance.












We stopped at the first of the lakes to enjoy the views and a lunch break.

While the wildflowers were less plentiful up here, there were still wildflowers in bloom.

After lunch, we sauntered around the lakes, soaking in the marvelous views.

A stream dropping down between two of the lakes

another view of this short stream.













various views wandering around Rampart Lakes:

Another view of the wildflowers along the slope heading back down to Lake Lillian.

We didn't take the short spur trail to  Lake Laura below Lake Lillian, but we had a peek of it between the trees.

Some of the other wildflowers seen along the trail today: