I did a day hike up here in May and wanted to get back for an overnight to this amazing location. There's really no easy way to get here. One trail is long and hard. The other trail is shorter and hard. I opted for the long and hard route which is a little safer with a heavy pack. So far this is the hardest hike I have done, but it was worth the struggle. If someone hadn't of stolen my GoPro out of my tent while I was exploring, this would have been a perfect trip.
The first 2.25 miles is relatively flat and follows the course of Box Canyon Creek. Once you cross the creek (easy at this time of year) the struggle begins. You are climbing steadily upwards on a path of rocks and roots all the way to the end. You've got a mile of that to Rachel Lake and another short mile from Rachel to Rampart Lakes which sits above it.
I passed 56 people heading back from day hikes to the lakes. The area is beautiful and the word is out. Most seem to stop at Rachel Lake, content to spend the day there. Continue to the right following the signs to the toilet and you end up on the non-signed trail to Rampart Lakes, Lila Lake and Alta Mountain.
The Rampart Lakes are a series of beautiful lakes and small tarns all inter-connected and feeding into one-another. The scene was more beautiful in the summer when water levels were higher, but it was stunning nonetheless.
The following day I climbed up Rampart Ridge in search of the back trail from Lake Lillian. This trail isn't even on the map, but it does exist and is frequented by many hikers looking to avoid the Rachel Lakes trail. It's not an easy climb from this direction either, and the descent down Rampart Ridge with a full pack isn't something I'd want to try.
The view from the top of Rampart Ridge could give anyone vertigo, but there are numerous small deer trails that crisscross the ridge and it's fairly easy to navigate them. From my camping spot at the lakes I could see lights on the ridge from someone who decided it would make a good place to pop a tent for the night.
While past its peak, the fall colors were spectacular in the higher elevations. The hike from Rampart Ridge to Lake Lillian takes you through beautiful valleys and meadows with small lakes and streams. This place is hard to beat.
Map & Stats
11 mile out & back
2700 ft elev gain (mostly in under two miles)
National Forest Pass required