Rachel Lake

Rachel Lake 1313

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Ranger's Report

Weather

Road Condition

Pass Cam

Distance:

4.8 miles one way

Hiking Time:

3 hours

Trailhead Elevation:

2800 ft

Elevation Gain:

2500 ft

Season:

July - October

Difficulty:

Strenuous

Rating:

Best - Very Good - Good - Fair

Use:

Heavy

Users:

Hikers

Region:

Cle Elum Ranger District

Maps:

USGS Chikamin Peak
Cle Elum Ranger District Map
Printable Topo Map

Permits:

Northwest Forest Pass is required.
Limited-use permit may be required
For information contact 1-800-627-0062.
Alpine Lakes Wilderness Regulations

Driving Directions:

From Seattle take I-90 East to Exit 62. Turn left at the Stop onto Kachess Lake Road #49 and follow it for about 5.2 miles to the T junction. Turn left onto gravel Road # 4930. Trailhead is in 4 miles on the right side of the road.

Trailhead:

Good parking, water is at the creek, campsites are near the creek along the road, toilet available.

Trail:

September 11, 2000

The trail enters the woods and gradually climbs for about 1 mile to a small waterfall on the Box Canyon Creek. Another 1.5 mile is easy hiking with little elevation gain along the creek to a campsite. The trail gets steep and climbs for about 0.3 mile to a creek crossing near a nice waterfall, and then continues further, at times very steep, for another 0.7 mile to Rachel Lake . A good view of the Box Ridge opens up from this part of the trail. The lake is very beautiful. There are several campsites near the lake. Campfires are prohibited within 0.5 mile of Rachel Lake.

From the lake the trail continues climbing for about 0.5 mile to a T-junction. Trail to the right leads to Lila Lake. Gradually climbing this trail in about 0.3 mile reaches the foothill of the open slope. There is another junction here: Alta Mountain Trail goes to the left (Rampart Ridge North). Lila Lake trail continues on straight and in about 0.5 mile reaches Lila Lake with several smaller lakes not far from it . Campfires are prohibited at Lila Lakes. This part of the trail offers a nice view of the Alta Mountain (6151 ft) and the Box Ridge.

The trail to the left of the T-junction leads to Rampart Lakes , gradually descending for about 1 mile. This area is very beautiful and worth the effort. Limited-use permit system is in effect for Rampart Lakes area. Campfires are prohibited near the lakes.

From the south of the lakes a non-maintained trail ascends the Rampart Ridge, where it meets with the Rampart Ridge South Trail, that provides access to Lake Lillian.