Field trip: Conditioning Hiking Series
CHS 2 Hike - Rainbow & Island Lakes
Enjoy two beautiful alpine lakes from Exit 47 and beat the crowds with an early start. CHS-2 hike (2+ mph up, 2.5 mph down.) WAS GEM/SNOW LAKES but conditions aren't optimal yet.
Contacts
- Tue, Jun 10, 2025
- Seattle Hiking Committee
- Day Hiking
- Adults
- Strenuous
- Moderate
- Mileage: 12.4 mi
- Elevation Gain: 3,000 ft
- High Point Elevation: 4,857 ft
- Pace: 2-2.5 MPH
- 2 (8 capacity)
- FULL (2 capacity)
- Wed, May 21, 2025 at 1:00 PM
- Sun, Jun 8, 2025 at 5:00 PM
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
- iCal Google
My absolute favorite trailhead in the Cascades! Lovely grade and beautiful forest cover for most of the day. We'll go to Rainbow Lake (farthest of the two) first and see what the bug situation is, then if necessary, backtrack to Island for lunch and wading. As of May 27 when I scouted Pratt Lake trailhead, there WAS still a little snow so we'll ask students to bring poles and traction BUT a much more likely trip to go than Gem/Snow right now.
Ascent pace 2-2.25 mph. We'll descend at 2.25-2.5 mph.
Early Tuesday Outing. Meet at Exit 47 off I-90, at 6:40 a.m., ready to do introductions and stretches at 6:50 and walk by 7 a.m. Carpooling will be arranged in Hello Hiker email.
Pratt Lake Trail
-
Green Trails Snoqualmie Pass Gateway No. 207S
USGS Bandera
USGS Snoqualmie Pass - See full route/place details.
Required Equipment
Ten Essential Systems
- Navigation (map & compass)
- Sun protection (sunglasses & sunscreen)
- Insulation (extra clothing) including gaiters, gloves, and hat
- Illumination (headlamp/flashlight)
- First-aid supplies
- Fire (waterproof matches/lighter/candle)
- Repair kit and tools
- Nutrition (extra food)
- Hydration (extra water)
- Emergency shelter (tent/plastic tube tent/garbage bag)
- Trekking poles, gaiters, and traction for feet (Microspikes) optional.