Lila Lakes via Rachel Lakes Trail

Getting There

From Seattle, drive Interstate 90 to Exit 62, Signed Kachess Lake/Stampede Pass. Turn left and head north over the interstate; you'll reach Kachess Lake Campground in five miles. Turn left where the pavements ends and drive four miles on Box Canyon Road (FS Road #4930) to the Rachel Lake Trailhead. Pack your bags, get on the trail, and begin your trek into the Alpine Lakes Wilderness high country.

The Trail

The trail begins with a brief meandering ascent and shortly begins to parallel Box Canyon Creek. With the soothing babble of the creek always within earshot, you'll gently traverse through shaded mossy forests and open slide-alder covered avalanche slopes. Soon you'll gain astounding views to your right of Hibox Mountain as you make your way to the end of the Box Canyon Creek Valley.

At 2.5, miles the trail begins a moderately steep ascent, gaining 1300 feet of elevation before finally relenting at the gorgeous turquoise waters of Rachel Lake. While catching your breath, enjoy a snack or snap a few photographs before turning right to regain the main trail. Hike further switchbacks up through talus, meadows, and ever expanding views to the south for another half mile. The way levels as you reach a trail junction on Rampart Ridge signed for Rampart Ridge Lakes and Lila Lakes. Turn right and make your way towards Lila Lakes, traversing steadily through meadows, crags, and forested slopes.

After a placid mile of ever-increasing views and mountain vistas, you'll descend slightly into the Lila Lakes Basin. The trail leads straight to a promontory that offers the iconic and well-documented view of the lower lakes with Hibox Mountain seated nobly beyond.

For lesser known explorations, turn left and ascend a cat trail adjacent to a small outlet stream into the upper cirque. Here, you'll find innumerable tarns and larger lakes that are often over-looked by most trekkers. Explore the basin slowly, snapping photographs, and finally reaching Alta Pass where views expand East and Northward towards Alaska Mountain, Huckleberry Mountain, and Chikamin Peak with the Gold Creek Valley sprawled out far below. Working clockwise you can now descend from Alta Pass through talus and forested slopes to the lower Lila Lakes basin rejoining the crowds before making your way back down the trail. Consider combining this adventure with a climb of Alta Mountain or with a trek to Rampart Ridge Lakes on the Southeastern flank of the ridge.