The Trail Report:
I arrived at the Eastgate Albertson's fully ready to convince my colleagues that we should re-visit Silver Peak (no chance of snow this time!). Strangely, I was first to arrive (several minutes late, I might add - thank you road construction on W. Lk Sammamish). Fortunately, I wasn't alone for long - Don drove up and told me a tale about this thing called "Rampart Ridge". Intrigued, I agreed it sounded better than a return to Silver. It soon became apparent no one else was to join us, so off we went to explore Rampart Ridge......
Rampart Ridge is located just north of I-90, just after Snoqualmie Pass. As we descended the Pass, approaching the Gold Creek/Hyak exit, Don pointed to the left at a line of stark, steep cliffs in the distance. "That's where we're going, " he announced. I smiled.
After exiting, we crossed under I-90, took a right, a began a slow ascend into the hills. Just before the sign for the Lake Lillian Trailhead, we took a left, and stayed high on the dirt road. After a mile or so, we found our trailhead (a spur on the left that runs for 100m or so). We quickly readied ourselves and set out. The trail starts nice and level, but soon begins to climb. As we followed the outlet from Lillian and Laura Lakes (Rocky Run?), visions of Tenneriffe came to mind - switchbacks few and far between here!
I wouldn't actually see Laura Lake until the descent. Lillian is of fair size, though, and impossible to miss - the trail runs along her Eastern shore for a considerable ways. And thus began the adventure - I was in front, blindly hugging the shore, when the trail spurred off to the right (and up). I chose to continue on the lower route, whereas Don, a few minutes behind me, chose high...
I found myself on the northside of the lake, following an arroyo/avalanche chute/game trail up to who-knows-where. With typical belligerence, I continued up the slope until I reached the Eastern saddle of the ridge line, where I finally could see what lay beyond: A vast array of meadows, snowmelt potholes and peaks, all within grasp!
Knowing Don was familiar with the area (and therefore knew where he was going!) I set my sights on the highest feature I could see - an outcropping of rock off to the Northwest. Marmot whistles were my fanfare into this region. Two potholes and a couple switches later, I cautiously approached my goal - a sheer cliff that dropped away further than I want to think about!!
Needless to say, the vista was breathtaking, despite the smog. Rainier floated majestically above it all. Keechelus Lake and I-90 toiled below. A strong breeze kept the the bugs at bay, and I was in heaven.
Shortly thereafter, I worked my way back toward Lake Lillian and spied Don desending another high point of the ridge. We soon met up in a meadow below, and I congratulated him on an excellent choice for a hike (We would descend his route up -much easier on the knees!). The beauty, grandeur, and scarcity of people made for great hike. 2000 el gain, seven miles roundtrip (estimates).
I will return!
-Marcos
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