Overnight Backpacking Trip to Rachel Lake and Rampart Lakes in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness
- Kristin Jones
- Oct 23, 2025
- 3 min read
This weekend, I packed up for a chilly single-night backpacking trip to Rachel Lake in Washington’s Alpine Lakes Wilderness. With fall temperatures dropping into the 40s and a chance of rain, it was a great opportunity to test my layering system and gear before winter backpacking season begins.
Preparing for Cold Weather Backpacking
Saturday morning started early with packing extra food and plenty of warm layers. I wore Patagonia Capilene leggings and hoodie as my base, layered with Outdoor Research soft shell pants and an Icebreaker Merino wool vest.
Since the forecast showed highs only in the 40s and possible rain, I also brought gloves, rain gear, and a wool set to change into at camp. Before leaving, I double-checked the NOAA forecast for both Rachel Lake and Snoqualmie Pass—essential for mountain trips with changing weather.
Hiking In to Rachel Lake
It was a typical gray Washington morning—misty, 50°F, and full of color as the leaves turned to gold and orange. Despite the forecast, it felt warmer than expected and I quickly peeled off layers as we climbed.
The trail gains most of its elevation in the second half, climbing steadily alongside creeks and waterfalls before reaching Rachel Lake. After about four miles, we arrived and found a large, flat campsite near the water—perfect for setting up before the rain picked up again.
Setting Up Camp in the Rain
As the drizzle turned to steady rain, I rushed to get my tent set up. My tent pitches inner-first, so the inside got a little wet—a reminder that I might switch to a Durston tent, where the rainfly goes up first.
We set up a tarp to create a small “kitchen” shelter and started dinner. I made chicken fajitas with avocado and tortillas, plus some hot tea to stay warm. Despite the cold, it was cozy to hear the rain on the tent while tucked into my sleeping bag.
Gear Spotlight: MSR Hubba Hubba 2 Tent & FlexTail Pump
In the morning, I caught up with my friend Nicole, who was testing her new MSR Hubba Hubba 2 tent. She loved how easy it was to set up, the generous headroom, and that it weighs only 3.6 lbs—lighter than her old setup.
She paired it with a Nemo Tensor pad, Thermolite sleep sack, and REI sleep quilt (rated to 30°F). While it was chilly overnight, she and her dog stayed mostly warm—and we both agreed that a quilt system offers much more freedom than a mummy bag.
Nicole also brought a FlexTail pump, a tiny rechargeable air pump that inflated her sleeping pad in under two minutes. It worked with the Nemo Tensor and even has a deflate mode to pack up quickly in the morning.
Exploring Rampart Lakes
After a warm cup of coffee, we packed light and hiked the extra 1.5 miles and 500 feet of gain up to Rampart Lakes. The colors up there were stunning—gold, orange, and red across the hillsides with a few patches of morning ice on the trail.
I brought my fishing pole and tried a few casts, though the fish weren’t biting. Still, it was peaceful and quiet—just a crisp breeze and the glassy reflection of the mountains in the lakes.
Final Thoughts
Rachel Lake and Rampart Lakes make for a perfect overnight backpacking trip—challenging enough to feel like an adventure, but still doable in a weekend. The trail offers everything I love about fall backpacking in Washington: colorful foliage, crisp mountain air, and cozy nights in the tent.
Next time, I’ll bring slightly warmer sleep gear and maybe test that new rainfly-first tent setup. But overall, it was a great trip to close out the shoulder season before snow starts falling.
Trail Stats
Trailhead: Rachel Lake Trailhead (near Snoqualmie Pass)
Distance to Rachel Lake: 4 miles one way
Elevation Gain: ~2,000 feet
Permit: Alpine Lakes Wilderness permit required (free, self-issued)
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