[trail head]

A planned weekend climbing trip in the N Cascades E of Mt Baker was killed by rain in the area Saturday morning. I had my sights set on getting out this weekend, and the forecast for Sunday was perfect, so I headed out to Alta, above Rachel Lake on Sunday morning. Got to the Rachel Lake TH and hit the trail about 8:45 am. The blue skies were a contrast to the clouds that still shrouded Seattle earlier in the morning.

box canyon creek

Hibox mountain from Rachel Lake trail

Can't hike the Rachel Lake trail without a picture of the waterfall...

...or two!

Reached Rachel Lake around 10:20. Only a very short break here - if I sat still too long, every inch of exposed skin would be consumed. If heading this way any time soon, BRING THE BUG JUICE!!

Ray-Chill Lake

The trail at the Rampart Ridge junction is under snow. When I reached the sign, there were plenty of footprints headed left toward Rampart Lakes, but only a very faint track headed right toward Lila Lake and Alta. Following these faint pootprints north toward Alta, I was soon off the ridgetop and off route. Fortunately, I realized my mistake within a quarter mile or so and scooted back up to the top of the ridge where I found a very clear trail headed north. Look for some white flagging tape about 10-15 yards before the trail junction sign. It indicates the right turn to Lila and Alta. Don't miss it like I did.

looking down on Rachel from trail to Rampart Ridge

alta in the distance on the left

Mt. Thompson

trail to Alta summit.

The rest of the route is a snap. Although this route is listed in "75 Scrambles in Washington," it's almost entirely on trail, and really not much more than a hike. Reached the summit about 11:45, where a cool breeze kept the bugs from devouring my sandwiches before I could.

summit view

anyone know the name of that summit in the distance?

more views

frozen tarns below

Lila Lakes

And on the way down, a moment to enjoy the wildflowers on the flanks of Alta:

Flowers...

...flowers...

...flowers, and...

...flowers!!

Stats: 12 miles. Elevation gain: Now that's a tricky one. "75 Scrambles" lists the TH elevation as 2800', and the summit at 6250', with an elevation gain of 4000'. I'm no math whiz, but do these numbers add up? And once this trail starts heading up, it keeps heading up, with very few ups and downs. Let's call it 3500'. Who's really counting anyway, when the views and flowers are so good?

[Matt]

It's great hiking through the flowers on the way up to that ridge.

[bobbi]

great TR and photos! those elevation gain stats include all the ups along the way, that's why the math is off.

[Foist]

It's not an up-and-down route -- I've hiked the top of Alta 3 times I think -- so there shouldn't be extra gain. Certainly not THAT much.

[The Angry Hiker]

[Hulksmash]

The Angry Hiker

[paultkuhn]

[Dancing Hiker]

[trail head]

[DIYSteve]

Big Snow Edited to add: in the pic entitled "summit view," from L to R it's Thompson, Alaska, Big Snow, Huckleberry, Pt. 6480

[bestes]

thanks for the tip on the white flagging on the tree!