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Trip Report    

CHS 2 Hike - Rainbow & Island Lakes

This full roster (12!) had stunning views of Rainier/Olallie Lake and clear blue skies. Recent snow melt at Island Lake means many bugs - Rainbow Lake is definitely less buggy. Great group, great outing.

Courtenay Schurman Courtenay Schurman
June 29, 2025
  • Road rough but passable

  • Twelve of us met at Pratt Lake Trailhead at 7:45 a.m. for an 8 a.m. start. Northwest Forest Pass is needed and available at the kiosk at the trailhead. Portapotty was stocked with TP and people have been doing a good job keeping the door/lid closed. The parking lot was about 3/4 full at 8, and cars were parked on the frontage road when we returned around 3 pm. Many people were doing Granite Mountain; once we passed the junction with Granite, foot traffic was far less, even on a sunny Sunday. We saw plenty of trail runners, several backpackers heading in and out of Pratt Lake Basin, and about 6-8 dogs, including two off leash. (I have plenty of photos but for some reason the website is  SUPER SLOW uploading them...)

    We encountered pretty muddy conditions between Island and Rainbow Lakes but next to no snow - just a patch here and there - no need to bring spikes or traction.

    However, the mosquitoes and flies are out in full force, so bug nets/spray are advisable. We chose NOT to eat by Island Lake, gaining access to the ridge where we caught a nice breeze. Rainbow had fewer people -- nice camp sites -- and way fewer bugs.

    The heat going back up to the ridge was substantial after lunch -- if possible, try to do that rocky switchback section early in the day or prepare to take it slow, we could feel the heat radiating up off the rocks and everyone was silent.

We had a wonderful CHS-2 trip with all 12 hikers successfully completing the hike. Our leader was kind enough to open this to the max capacity to help people get their June hike requirements in. Moving time for 12.3 miles was 5.5 hours / 2.3 mph pace. Round trip 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. with cold drinks in the car afterward.

Between the leader and co-leader, we pointed out some of the 20 bird species (thrushes! Pacific wrens! flycatchers, oh my!) and blooming foliage - the beargrass is beautiful right now, and Phlox mats are pretty; we also spotted a few tiger lilies blooming near the avalanche gully before the Granite-Pratt junction. The falls at the end of Granite junction are raging; since I haven't been up there yet this spring I imagine it's advisable to watch footing in the gully. All the stream crossings are totally doable without poles, though most of our hikers used them. 

Pleasant outing with fun people.