What a gorgeous spot. Got to the trail head around 7am on Saturday and found the parking lot to be already bustling (mostly folks backpacking it seemed) with a fair number of open parking spots still. On the way out (around 1pm) however, the parking lot was full and overflowing.

The actual hike up to the lakes was alright, the first 2 or so miles is mostly flat before it ascends in a fairly rocky & root-y trail. I don't use my poles a ton but was glad to have brought them this time. There are some areas where it can be easy to lose the trail (at least it was for me) over rocks but it becomes apparent pretty quickly and is easy to get back on trail. In a few spots the right way is marked with cairns which I found helpful. 

Once you reach Rachel Lake, the views are much nicer. Fall colors seemed to be in near full effect and it was a gorgeous hike to Lila Lake with a few pikas along the way. I usually avoid hiking on the weekends and the trail was a little too crowded for my taste, but Lila Lake itself in the AM appeared to be somewhat more sedate. 

The hike out was decent but was sad to see several poo (dog, I hope) bags along the trail and hear fellow hikers blasting music from a speaker. All in all, a good hike though. For me, after going Rachel -> Lila -> Rampart -> Rachel, it shook out to be 10.8 miles with about 3k total elevation gain (though I take GPS data with a grain of salt).

Wow! I could not imagine a more beautiful time of year to do this hike - the fall foliage is popping and there are a ton of delicious blueberries to enjoy. We expected some smoke from the Labor Mountain Fire but it stayed relatively okay all day.

No major obstacles in the trail although remains rooty and rocky up to Rachel. Overall, lots of people heading out to backpack for the weekend but it seemed like more people were going to the Rampart Ridge side of things; a good number of spots available left on a Saturday morning at Lila. Next time we'll check out Alta Mtn! 

Hike to Lila lake. Trail is rocky and rooty, but in good enough shape. Lots of berries, delicious. Colors are changing, but not fully there yet. Lots of backpackers. Mostly going to Rachel and Rampart lakes.

The road there is on gravel for the last 4 miles, but in good condition. I had no issues in a sedan.

The trailhead was very popular, I saw a lot of cars parking on the road. I was lucky though, and got a spot right at the trailhead - someone must have left right before I arrived.

The first almost 3 miles are a leisurely stroll through the forest along the creek. There are a few creek crossings, if you are careful you don't get any wet feet. Then it becomes noticeably steeper, and the trail gets more technical, with roots and rocks. There are a few misleading side trails, but you won't get lost. It took me an hour for the first part (about 2.6 miles), but almost another hour (50 minutes) until I reached Rachel Lake (another 1.2 miles). I passed a lot of backpackers on the way up, I think I saw more backpackers than day hikers.

Rachel Lake is beautiful, very blue, and cold. I saw a lot of people there. If you have run out of water, this is where you should fill up (filtered, with all the campers there).

To Lila Lake, it's another steep climb for about half a mile with switchbacks, and with great views over Rachel Lake, until the trail forks - Lila Lake to the right, Rampart Lakes to the left. The trail levels of a bit but still climbs, with more views of Rachel Lake, then through heather with plenty of delicious sweet and juicy blueberries. Then about where you spot the Lila Lake for the first time the trail descends on the final stretch, steeply at the end, to the lake. I could see a few tents set up in the distance.

The water was pretty cold, but I swam a few strokes to the island to explore it.

The way back was much easier. I took a break at Rachel Lake, and briefly thought about taking another dip, but decided it was too cold.

You can see the route and more photos if you follow the Strava link.

End-of-summer overnighter at Rampart Lakes with my adult son, starting at the Lake Lillian/Margaret trailhead.

A few Lake Lillian warnings:

1) Signage around the Lake Laura//Lake Lillian interchange could use some improvement.  On the way to Lillian from Twin Lakes - when in doubt, lean up & right :)

2) Dog owners and backpackers: at the Southern “entrance” to Lake Lillian (where it first comes into view) don’t try to navigate North via the trail near the water. That rock scramble can be a real challenge, especially if it’s slick from rain. From that entrance, go back a few paces towards Twin Lakes and look up & East for a trail around the massive rock face.  

Overall - Lot was full by 10am (we got the last spot), and had no issues following a few folks up the road, to the first Lake Margaret turnoff, then to the smaller hand-etched Lillian/Margaret sign.  Signage at the Margaret/Twin lakes intersection was spot-on.

Enjoyed great views and our first hint at blueberries on our way to Twin Lakes.  Lots of places to sit and enjoy a quick break or lunch; we pushed on for lunch at Lillian.  Absolutely gorgeous, once we navigated the rock face near the south edge of Lillian.

We continued on to Rampart Lakes, taking the very steep NE path from Lillian.  At the top we went left instead of right; oops, now we’re on Rampart Ridge.  Amazing views to the West but our thighs were not happy with the heavy extra workload.  Thankfully blueberries, blueberries everywhere softened the burn :)

Scrambled from the top down to the Southern edge of Rampart Lakes; there is a trail if you generally stay to the right going down toward Rampart Lakes.

Rampart Lakes were beautiful on a warm sunny Saturday, and the chilly water was refreshing. Lots of campers and tents, but everyone (and every dog) was polite and respected the space.  Every campsite had great sunset and nighttime views. The toilet was higher up the marked trail than I thought and in better-than-expected condition.  Be sure to bring a boot/hat/something for the approach trail to mark the toilet as occupied.

Lake Lila and Alta Mountain were as advertised, and the trail could also use a little signage help.  

Hike back on Sunday was very wet, but we stayed to the normal trail this time so it was pretty and uneventful. A sizable rock with a small overhang between Twin and Lillian Lakes made for a nice break from the rain!