[Tom]

I had hoped to get in more hikes this season but as life goes, sometime other priorities get in the way. I found myself near the end of September with nary a hike and wildfires blooming. The smoke and weather forecast for Monday looked good so decided to make it happen, better late than never! Only 1 car a the end of Rocky Run, it would be nice not having to deal with weekend mobs. A little late for peak fall color but can't complain, great day to be out in the mountains. I wasn't sure how much energy I would have but decided push for the summit of Alta. Made it back to the car by sunset, completely exhausted and fully satisfied.

Sweet

Rocky Run colors

Arriving at Lillian

Traversing the slabs

Lillian Jetty

Ascending from Lillian

Rainier framed

Boot shot

Lower Puss

Ridge color

Hibox

Fiirst views of Rachel

Descending to Ramparts

Hiker at far end of Upper Rampart meadows

Upper Rampart meadows

Upper Rampart

Upper Rampart Inlet

Wide angle

Colorful Rock

Traversing Upper Rampart

Upper Rampart colors

Upper Rampart framed

Middle Rampart

Lower Rampart

Leaving Lower Rampart

Small Tarn

Deadfall

Rachel Lake

Meadows above Lila

Lila Lakes

Lila and Hibox

Meandering trail to Alta

False summit of Alta

Looking back to Rampart Lakes

Looking back to Lila Lakes

Tarns below East Alta

Fighter Jet and 4 Brothers

A lake only Borank could love

Katwalk, Thompson, Alaska, Big Snow

Zooming in to Alaska Lake

Bolt Creek Fire in distance between Huckleberry and Buntboot

3 Queens, East Alta and Hibox

Zooming in to Alaska Mountain and PCT

Thompson to 4 Brothers from Alta

Alta Summit Cairn

Fall Color and Snoqualmie Peaks

Back to Lower Rampart

Zooming in to Alta Mountain from Middle Rampart

Looking back to Ramparts, Alta Mountain and Rachel from Viewpoint

Colors above Upper Puss

Zooming in to Upper Puss

Hibox to Stuart and my shadow

Descending to Lillian

[BW]

I was up at Rampart lakes yesterday, too, and heard the fighter jets roar by. Wasn't able to see them, though.

[zephyr]

Beautiful. You should have taken me with you. haha It's my understanding that the drive up has been brushed out. So a 6'6" wide vehicle (still shiny) can do this unscathed? Thanks, ~z

[Tom]

Yeah, the road is fine, just some big potholes. I recall someone mentioning the washout was getting worse. Not sure if that was FUD but I didn't even notice the washout and I was looking for it both ways, shrug.

[Tom]

[solohiker]

“Puss” eh? Never knew there was a name for the ponds above Lillian (officially or otherwise). I named them after my dog when I put her ashes there years ago. They always were delightfully pretty every fall despite their muddy bottom.

tarns between lillian and rampart lakes

[Gwen]

Nice capture of both the raven and the jet!

[RichP]

You picked a good one.

[Tom]

Solohiker, here are some scans I posted in the history forum where the tarns are referred to as beaverpuss. https://www.nwhikers.net/forums/viewtopic.php?p=16546#16546&pid=36308579622

[BW]

I guess you were the one who passed by while I was picking blueberries late in the day near upper rampart. Gorgeous day in the mountains for sure!

[Tom]

Yep, that was me. Were you the other vehicle? Or did you head in via Rachel?

[jboealps]

Thanks for pictures. This was one of my favorite hikes. In the 60’s we would start by hiking a good trail over Mt Margaret. It was also east to follow the compass, due N going to Alta and S back home.

[Foist]

Nice Tom! This has always been one of my favorite September hikes. Rampart lakes are generally clear of mosquitos, blueberries ripe, nice fall color in the meadows. Life got in the way for me this year, too, my September has been particularly bonkers with other stuff.