High-country Rachel Lake, Rampart Ridge, Lila Lake and Leslie Lake are all reached by this trail. It starts innocently enough, but don't let that fool you. The first 2.5 miles are an easy stroll along the river's banks. Then the fun begins. In the next mile you'll climb 1200 waterfall-studded feet to Rachel Lake. By ALW standards, Rachel is large. It has plenty of camping, and you'll find it crowded on any weekend.
Photo: One of Rampart Ridge's dozens of small lakes.
From here climb to the 4-mile mark and the 5200' level, where the trail forks. To the right the trail is cut into a steep slope and leads to seldom-visited Leslie Lake (above) and Lila Lake (below). I picked my way to Leslie Lake in a sudden September storm, and woke up the next morning to find elk grazing around my tarp-shelter. The reason nobody takes the right fork is that the left fork takes you a half mile to scenic and popular Rampart Ridge.
Rampart Ridge is an open acreage at about 5200', where alpine glaciers carved tiny lakes--dozens of them--into the granite. It's definitely different. When this photo was taken, you could easily be the only overnight camper at these lakes. By now, I suspect camping is restricted, if permitted at all. There are certainly no fires, dogs, or lakeshore campsites.
Stats: 5.5 miles one way. Trailhead elevation 2800'. Rampart Ridge lakes, 5200'. Ridgetop, 5800'.
Getting there: I-90 to exit 62, then to Kachess Lake Campground. Continue on Box Canyon Road to the Rachel Lake trailhead parking lot.
Note: This is backcountry wilderness travel. Any trail can become very dangerous in winter conditions. You are responsible for informing yourself of the hazards and taking the necessary precautions. Please read Terms of Use.