CHS 2 Hike - Rachel & Rampart Lakes

From the Rachel Lake Trailhead will hike the trail 4.4 miles through Box Creek Canyon to Rachel Lake.  The final ascent to Rachel Lake is rocky, rooted and steep - please read the descriptions below and only sign up if you are comfortable.

The Mountaineers describes it as: While the total distance and elevation gain suggests a moderate hike, the infamous Rachel Lake "mile from hell" is truly grueling and inappropriate for those who are not in athletic condition. In one mile, a heavily rooted and rough boot path ascends 1,300 feet. This portion is more like a scramble than a hike, and boots are a must.  

The WTA describes it as: This section of trail is heavily rooted and rocky, with many large step-ups — to call it a trail is being generous. Though you travel only a mile, you'll gain 1,200 vertical feet in this section.

Once we reach Rachel Lake, we take a well deserved rest and admire the views.  Then we will continue onto to Rampart Lakes for lunch and a swim!

I will be monitoring trip reports for snow conditions.  As of May 12, most snow has melted on the trail to Rachel Lake but not quite as thawed to Rampart Lakes.  Be prepared to bring micro-spikes and hiking poles.

WTA to Rachel Lake: https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/rachel-lake

WTA to Rampart Lakes: https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/rampart-ridge-1

Route: https://www.gaiagps.com/map/?loc=15.4/-121.3319/47.4187&pubLink=W2bjQK6fv8rEDPh9rRl8CBFM&routeId=6f490d24-4eb9-4e47-a3cb-81b92737bff6

Meet at the Rachel Lake Trailhead at 8:00am with boots on and ready to hike at 8:15am.

From Seattle, drive east on I-90 to exit 62 (approx. 10 miles east of Snoqualmie Pass), which is signed for "Kachess Lake." Turn left from the exit ramp, then drive northeast on FR 49 (Kachess Lake Road) toward Kachess Lake. From here, follow the signs to Lake Kachess Campground and turn left on FR 4930. This road leads to a large parking lot and the trailhead at the road's end, about four miles from the turn.