Rachel Lake and Alta Mountain

Five years ago, we hiked to Rachel Lake.  Today, we decided to try to add on Alta Mountain

Rachel Lake

We got an early start, in to the Alpine Lakes Wilderness

A pretty bunch of bunch berries

Larkspur poking above the brush

One of the many stream crossings.  Who needs bridges?

This may look like the large boulders of a stream bed, but it is actually the "trail"

Another section of the "trail"

One of the many waterfalls along the trail

Columbine

Rachel Lake, from the shoreline

Starting the climb above Rachel Lake

Looking down on Rachel Lake, as we continued to climb

Stopping on the ridge, trying unsuccessfully to get away from the mosquitoes

Coming up the Alta Mountain Trail, with Rachel Lake on the left and Ramparts Lakes high on the right

Continuing up Alta Mountain

Getting higher

Getting up to the first summit, 5900', with the now tiny lakes in the background

Looking down on the Lila Lakes

View of Rachel and Rampart Lakes from the first summit.  Mosquitoes were eating us alive, time to turn around

One more shot of the surrounding mountain views

A really tough hike on a rough trail, but overall, a very rewarding day in the mountains.

Stats:
Round trip=11 miles
Elevation gain to the first (false) summit=3100'
Hike to drive ratio=8.5h/3.5h=2.4
Day hiked=July 20, 2016