9/27, Saturday. Due to forecast of smoke in the morning, we started late. Quite smoky going through Snoqualmie Pass.
By the time we arrived at the TH, I was shocked to see ~20 cars at this "back door". Alas, no longer a back door now.
Good fall color at this TH. The trail is still steep and rugged. 0.8 miles 1100' to Lake Lillian.
We took the detour over the big boulder east of the lake.
Then walked along the lake for a bit, before going up on a very steep trail to a ridge.
Once on the ridge, fall color abundant. Saw a group picking huckleberries.
0.4 miles from the lake to the next junction (according to Caltopo).
We took the left fork for Rampart Ridge, passing 2 ponds.
They are so small now. Found a fish in the 2nd pond, felt sorry for his lonely existance.
~0.5 miles and 450' later, we arrived at the pass.
View down to Rampart Lakes is great.
Also high enough to see behind us, Stuart rise above the smoke.
I saw a side trail heading up to the left. Followed it all the way.
On Gaia, it was called Point 5870. Didn't plan on this detour.
View is great, all the way back to I-90. Hazy there too.
Back at the pass, now scrambling down a talus field. Pretty steep, 0.2 miles loosing 500'. The trail was clear to follow, so not difficult.
Soon, we hit the main trail.
Soon the first Rampart Lake.
There're plenty people and their tents around the lakes.
We continued further north but came back to where we saw the first camp site, at the south end of the first lake.
Huckleberry galore.
After setting up the tent, we rested a bit. AL went for a swim.
Then tried fishing. In 5 minutes, he caught a trout!
We cooked and ate it right away. Excellent.
A little before 5pm, I headed towards East Alta.
Followed the trail to Lila Lake. Before dipping lower to the lake, took the left fork.
I was following a trail, sometimes faint, almost all the way.
There's one particular short stretch which is steep and maybe only safe on th
e trail.
The talus area is wide open, but not too long.
Good view of Rainier on the way, which was clearer in the setting sun.
The summit is a narrow ridge. Great view all around.
I arrived at the summit ~6:30pm, in time to witness sunset.
Back the same way. ~7pm, at the fork of Lila Lake and Alta Mountain, I saw a guy in headlamp, and carrying a big bright something heading up to Alta. Soon I was back in the forest. I also put on headlamp.
Good stars at night. Some large stars in the lake.
9/28, Sunday.
Unfortunately more smokey than yesterday.
Heading to Alta this morning.
Repeat the first mile to get through the Rampart Lakes,
the fork to Rachel Lake, and last the fork to Lila Lake.
Brillian red of huckleberry bushes.
Saw 2 ponds that I missed yesterday. Good view of East Alta, and the ridge.
At the summit, saw the guy I ran pass last night.
The big bright object I saw in his hand turns out to be a gallon of water.
He was now chopping veggie into his pan and cooking an elaborate brunch.
His bright orange tent is the only clear object against the hazy peaks to the north.
Not enough space to stretch out his tent. But what a site.
When we were back at our lake, saw 3 guys floating in their blow-out boats.
Almost all other tents were gone.
We ate lunch, packed up, and hiked out along the regular route.
More huckleberries. They were so plump and numerous, that we stopped multiple times to feast on this abundance.
Back at the TH before 4pm. No traffic going back to Seattle. A wonderful trip.
