Backpack - Talapus, Olallie, Island & Pratt Lakes Loop

Covid-19 - All participants need to be fully vaccinated and provide the leader with a copy of your CDC card or reference your Covid badge on your profile. 

Join co-leader Dick Lambe and myself for a 2 night, 3 day, ~20 to 25 mile, 6000', backpacking lolliepop loop starting and ending at the Talapus/Olallie trailhead at 9 a.m.   The pace will be moderate and active with elevation gain; we will also stop to enjoy sights and explore.

On day 1 (Thu), we will leave ~9 a.m. and will stop and have a snack or early lunch on the North side of Olallie Lake and then go up via an informal, short, steep trail (possibly some bushwacking) to the trail to Pratt and beautiful Island lake.  Once at Island Lake, depending on the time, we can further explore the area and possibly Rainbow Lake.  On day 2 (Fri), we will make our way to Pratt Lake and set-up camp.  We will then do a group hike to explore the Pratt Connector trail and share about the history and future plans of this trail.  This trail may have some minor obstacles and light bushwacking.  On day 3 (Sat), we will make our way back to the trailhead but via the longer and more formal way.  

This is considered a moderate backpacking trip and requires leader permission.  In your permission request, please indicate:

• Vaccination status 
• other completed backpacking trips during the last year including weather, miles and elevation
• your winter/spring conditioning hikes  
• whether you have camped in cooler and wet/rainy conditions
• whether you will bring a bear canister or ursack
• base weight of your pack (=pack weight less food, water, fuel)
• your average moving speed on trails that have 500-1000' elevation gain within a mile 
• anything else that might be helpful to ensure your enjoyment and that we have a well-matched group