We hiked up to Rampart Lakes via the Rachel Lake Trail near Kachess Lake on the east side of Snoqualmie Pass. This is an 11 mile round trip hike with 2,300 ft of elevation gain (most of it in the last mile going up to Rachel Lake). With all the wandering we did around Rampart Lakes, we probably hiked 12-13 miles today.
The trail is mostly in the woods, and soon enters the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. The trail initially climbs up and crosses a creek, then the trail follows Box Canyon Creek for several miles. This portion is a rolling trail going up and down. You will go over many small creeks. There are usually logs or rocks in the water that you can step on to get across.
There are many small cascades in Box Canyon Creek:
Some are great places to take a break or refill your water bottle.
There are many creeks coming down the hillside. You can see some waterfalls through the trees.
About 2.3 miles from the trail head, you've climbed 400 ft. Now the trail begins to climb steeply. These falls are near the beginning of this steep section, slightly off the trail, they are easily accessible.
Over the next 1.5 miles, the trail will gain almost 1500 ft in elevation gain over a rough trail filled with large rocks and many tree roots on the way to Rachel Lake. Be careful at the switchbacks, as there are old offshoots that have some branches and/or rocks over them to keep you on trail.
Along the way (maybe 1/3 up the steep section), you'll cross a creek coming down over this large rock wall. Early in the summer, the water flows over the entire rock, creating a bridal veil falls. This late in August, there is less water, but still a great place to stop and get wet.
After another climb (maybe another 1/3 of the steep section) the trail opens into a clearing. Here you can look back into the valley along Box Canyon where you have been hiking.
There will be one more brief flat section before reaching Rachel Lake.
We didn't take the time to stop at Rachel Lake today (about 3.8 miles from the trail head with a 1900 ft elevation gain).
Before reaching Rachel Lake, take the trail to the right, that goes around the east end of Rachel Lake. The trail at the end of the lake climbs the ridge behind the lake for 1/2 mile and about 400 ft. There are some great views looking down on Rachel Lake.
At the ridge crest, take the trail to the left to Rampart Lakes (to the right is the trail to Lila Lake and Alta Mountain).
A few feet from this junction on the left, high in the tree, is the sign showing the way).
Here the ridge is narrow. Peeking between the trees to the north, we could see the peaks in the distance.
The trail goes up and down along the ridge, passing several ponds, for about a mile, before coming across creek that empties from Rampart Lakes. The wildflowers here were beautiful.
There are several lakes nestled in Rampart Ridge.
We wandered around the many boot trails going around the lakes.
The hills between the lakes alternated between tree filled and meadows of wildflowers.
We climbed up a hill to get a panoramic view of the lakes and surrounding area, while eating our lunch. One of the lakes and part of the west end of Rampart Ridge:
To the east: Alat Mountain and Hi Box Mountain:
After lunch, we continued on the boot trails, circling the lakes.
There were also boot trails leading away from lakes
Behind this lake, you can see the small hill we climbed to eat our lunch.
More of the lakes
There was even a small falls, where the creek went from one of the lakes to another.
Rampart Lakes is a wonderful place to spend an August afternoon.
Here are some of the many wildflowers and berries we saw today:
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".
This portion of the hike is very steep! There were lots of wildflowers in bloom along this slope.
As the trail continues to head up Rampart Ridge, we had a view down to the beautiful Rachel Lake below.
