Lake Lillian and Mount Margaret

We drove up to the Mount Margaret/Lillian Lake Trailhead southeast of Snoqualmie Pass to hike to the lake and mountain today. This was a 9.3 mile round trip hike with an overall elevation gain of 3,100 ft. The forecast for today was cloudy with scattered showers before 11 AM, we decided to hike to Lake Lillian first and go up Mount Margaret on the way back, hoping for some views later. The first part of the hike is on two decommissioned roads (watch for the trail sign). We saw some vine maples changing color along the road walk.

Another colorful vine maple.

The trail leaves the road and climbs up through the forest with some occasional views to the southwest.

About two miles and 1,600 ft of gain from the trailhead, the trail joins the Lillian Lake Trail, we turned left towards Lillian Lake. From here, the trail descends down to Twin Lakes through the forest. We found some lingering snow along the trail here.

Here we passed the first of several ponds along the trail and entered the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.

the outlet to Twin Lakes

We passed another pond as the trail wound its way to Twin Lakes.

view from the other end of the pond

Photos along Twin Lakes

The clouds would lift and descend, giving some glimpses of the nearby ridge line.

another view at Twin Lakes

After passing Twin Lakes, the trail would descend and climb on the way to Lillian Lake. Several sections of the trail were under water from the rain and the weekend's melting snow.

Fall colors and view of the ridge line as the clouds parted momentarily.

Creek running across the trail.

another small pond

After crossing the end of a large talus field and continuing through forest, we reached an opening where we could see a waterfall which is below Laura Lake in the distance.

The trail then climbs very steeply up towards Lillian Lake.

glimpse of Laura Lake below

It was very cloudy while we were at Lillian Lake. After a short lunch break, we returned along the trail.

some lovely lichen on a large boulder

About 1/2 mile before the trail junction with the Margaret Lake trail and the trail down to the trailhead is a 0.2 mile boot track to the top of Mount Margaret, it is very steep gaining 259 ft in 0.2 miles and was a bit slippery so I did not take any photos along the way.

When we reached the top it was very cloudy, we could not see the lakes below or much of anything. As we began to descend, we watched the wind swirl the clouds around beginning to reveal some nearby ridges.

Before long, the clouds lifted and we began to have views. 

We returned the short distance to the top, here looking towards the still cloud covered Rampart Ridge. To the left, in the far distance, is Lillian Lake with a long waterfall descending towards Laura Lake with a short wide waterfall descending. At the center below the open slope is on of the Twin Lakes.

Below us to the east is Margaret Lake, Stonesthrow Lake and Swan Lake.

We were happy with our hike today and thrilled that the clouds rose high enough to give us some views from Mount Margaret. As we hiked down to the trailhead, these sun beams broke through the fog.

In the forest, there was lots to see including this lovely moss covered stump and fungi:

 

 

 

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: