CHS Alumni Hike - Pratt Lake

Hike along the wide Pratt Lake Trail, crossing several sweet streams fed by snowbanks high up on the flanks of Granite Mountain.

Three miles in, you’ll come to a junction. The left-hand fork leads to the Ollalie Lake Trail in just 0.2 miles, but Pratt Lake is found by taking the right-hand fork, which traverses the hillside and then begins climbing to a junction with the Island Lake/Mount Defiance Trail after 1.2 miles. Just before this junction, you’ll reach a clear spot in the trail, where Ollalie Lake lies still and green in the valley below you, and Rainier hovers straight ahead. In this open area, beargrass flourishes in early spring. It’s a great spot for a snack and photo opportunity.

At the junction for Island Lake, take the right hand path that heads down into Pratt Lake Basin. We can decide as a group to stop here or drop all the way down to the lake which brings elevation gain to 3750 vs 2400.

All the climbing you have done from the trailhead is now reversed, as you switchback steeply down a forested hillside to open granite talus slopes. Here the trail is quite exposed – be sure to bring (and use) your sunscreen. Hike down the talus to a marshy section that sometimes requires bug juice – mosquitos and black flies can be an irritation here, but a breeze can lessen their onslaught.

This marshy area opens onto yet another talus field. Stop for a moment to take in the sapphire-blue waters of Pratt Lake before pressing on. From here it’s less than half a mile to the Pratt Lake campgrounds and day use areas.

Northwest Forest Pass (or the America is Beautiful National Parks Pass) is required.  I will get the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Permit for the group at the trailhead.

As of Tuesday, the weather on Saturday is forecasted to be cloudy with temps in the low 50s.  There is a chance of showers, which will increase through the day. The forecast link is: 

https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?textField1=47.397851559&textField2=-121.486561596

Bring: