Pratt Lake, Mt. Baker National Forest-Snoqualmie Trip Report
May 24, 2003
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John Munyan
126 Review(s) to Date
John is an avid hiker, spending a goodly portion of his time up in the hills, or sitting in front of a computer.
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Driving Directions:Go off I-90 on Exit 45 (Forest Road 9030), cross under the freeway, and continue straight for one mile. At a split, go right (still on 9030) for 5.4 miles to the trailhead and parking lot.
Trail Notes: There are two main ways to get to Pratt Lake. The first is to start at the Pratt Lake/Granite Peak trailhead. This way is longer than the way I hiked this one. Starting at the Pratt Lake/Granite Peak Trailhead offers more solitude up the point the Pratt Lake trail meets the spur coming from the Talapus/Olallie Lake trailhead. There is really nothing remarkable about the trail between the Pratt Lake/Granite Peak route so I don't really advise going that way unless you are planning to do a loop around Pratt Lake and over Hemlock pass and out Denny creek since there is only 3 miles between trail heads. I have done this but it is difficult covering 23 miles.
Coming from the Talapus trailhead offers better return on investment as you get a gentle introduction to the trail and can see Talapus Lake along the way. Starting from Talapus lake trailhead the trail climbs gently up towards Talapus Lake. This section of the trail is busy and sees many, many visitors. The trail starts out climbing what is an abandoned logging road. After about 15-20 minutes the road fades and becomes a trail. The trail is not steep and can be covered quickly if desired. Along the way there aren't many views, but you can get an occasional one through the trees. After about 45-60 minutes you arrive at Talapus Lake which is a very common place for people to camp during the summer. Some of these people I have seen seemed very clueless to the point of carrying a gallon of water in their hands and an exposed cotton sleeping bag despite the treat of rain. I guess at least they had water - None the less an accident waiting to happen. Though the weather on this trip was too foul for most to venture into the woods period.
Beyond Talapus Lake the crowds thin out a bit though some still make for Olallie Lake which is only about 45 minutes further. From Talapus Lake to Olallie Lake the grade of the trail steepens a bit but is far from difficult. About 20-25 minutes past Talapus Lake one comes to the fork where one trail leads to Olallie Lake and another leading across a stream towards the Mason Lake/Granite Peak trail. We crossed the stream which was under some flow since the snow was still around. The crossing at this time was tricky, and I would advise those not into the all fours stream crossing fun to either bring a spare pair of footwear to cross the stream or take the Olallie Lake spur which is only about 20 minute from Olallie Lake. After crossing the stream you work your way up the eastern slope and meet up with the Mason Lake trail after about 10-15 minutes.
At the Mason Lake junction go north (note it is easy to miss this turn off on the way back) and continue on up towards the Pratt lake Saddle. The trail along here is of a pleasant grade. The trees are mostly second growth and there aren't many views to speak until you are most the way to the saddle (about 20-40 minutes). Though the view once you have made your way there is quite nice offering unobstructed views of Olallie Lake far below, and in my opinion much better than the views from Olallie Lakes shore itself. Anyway these viewpoints are nice places to take lunch with a view of Olallie Lake. However, if you are feeling up to it, and you probably are since it isn't that much further make for the Pratt Lake Saddle after grabbing a drink at one of the view points. There is an even better place to take a break and get something to eat! To get to the best chilling spot at the Saddle stay left and continue along the traverse (not the way to Pratt lake)for about 5 minutes past the junction on a boulder field looking over the valley. This is my favorite spot and is only a 5 minute backtrack to the Pratt Lake junction.
It is at this point where you should assess your state and determine if you are up to heading down to Pratt Lake. It is about another 60-90 minutes away and a loss of 800 feet which will need to be regained on the return. It is also this way one would go for the loop that leads out over Hemlock pass though this is still about 3 hours away if you are going that way and more vertical.
From the saddle the trail has goes down more quickly than the ascending trail you have just ascended came up. Though still not bad the way can be made trickier as was the case for use as the North facing slope was almost entirely covered in snow still. The edges of the trail were mostly exposed so we could make our way down the trail. There aren't many views on the way down the trail but near the saddle there are a couple decent ones of Pratt Mountain and some glimpses of Pratt Lake early on. Pratt Lake itself is a rather large lake as they go, but isn't particularly pretty though offers backpackers a decent shot at solitude.
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Pratt Lake
Reviewed By: Dave on Tuesday, October 6, 2009 @ 07:06:30 PM
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I Hiked this trail on October 6th, 2009. There was no snow and only a few place with mud. The weather was great. Only saw 4 people on the way up. Only one person at the lake. Saw a few more people on the way down the back side. I had a great lunch at the lake. The trail is in great condition. Leave were not really turning yet. That should come soon.
Snow not an issue 6/26/09
Reviewed By: Lucien on Sunday, June 28, 2009 @ 05:55:10 PM
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Hiked this trail on June 26th, 2009 and snow was pretty much all gone. I started at Pratt trailhead and I concur you'd probably be better off starting at Talapus trailhead unless you like a bigger workout. Not too many people on this day but it seems everyone started at Pratt and I've heard the road to Talapus trailhead is pretty much impassible. So I'd check road conditions first if you're planning to go to Talapus trailhead: http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs/conditions/road-trail-conditions.shtml#trails.
I've put a short video here of the trail: http://vimeo.com/5367422
Pratt Lake Saddle
Reviewed By: Peter on Sunday, September 7, 2008 @ 08:06:56 PM
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Only time for an afternoon hike, so we headed for an early fall stroll up the Talapus/Olallie Lake trail. As advertised, it is gentle and pretty crowded. We by-passed both lakes, heading directly up to Pratt Lake saddle, hoping for some views. However, only came upon a couple of gaps in the trees to look down on Olallie and out to Mt. Rainier, so I wouldn't recommend this hike if you're seeking scenery. There are lots better options for that in the Snoqualmie corridor. The woods were surprisingly green for early September - came upon quite a few flowers that would have been long gone in a normal season.
7/2/06 via Granite trailhead
Reviewed By: Lin on Monday, July 3, 2006 @ 10:51:07 PM
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Review: On Sunday, 7/2/06, we went to I-90 Exit 47 and started at the Granite Mountain/Pratt lake trailhead and decided at the last minute to do Pratt Lake. The post says it is 6 miles to the lake - it took us 2.5 hours to get there, half hour dinner break at the lake, 45 minute hike back up and then another hour and 15 to get back down - which was a bit boring. The hike down to the lake is quite rocky and not so kind on the feet. The lake was slimy and had lots of flies (Annette the previous week was much nicer). We sighted a couple chipmunks and a really beautiful yellow and black bird. The original hike up was nice - lots of water crossings, foot bridges, and tall trees - with an occasional view point of a lake. On a Sunday starting at 2:45 pm, there weren't very many people going our way, which was nice. The difficulty in this trail is in the length and having to come back up from the lake. Perhaps starting from the other trailhead would have made it more pleasant - or splitting the return for the next day by doing an overnight. Another option is to consider doing a loop to Melawkwa and coming down the Denny Creek trail. If the lake had been nicer, I would have given a better rating.
The leaves are changing!
Reviewed By: Anonymous on Saturday, September 24, 2005 @ 09:35:03 AM
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Review: We did a day hike to Pratt Lake yesterday in about 5.5 hours w/ a shortish lunch break at the lake. It was fairly moderate until the final approach to the lake... but still not bad. It's easy on the knees w/ a gradual, but consistent, incline. Regardless, it was a totally diverse and peaceful hike. We only saw a few other folks around, and the leaves around the lake are turning and beautiful. I'll definitely make the trip to Pratt Lake again.
Good for Intermediate Level
Reviewed By: sheila_wagner on Wednesday, August 31, 2005 @ 12:33:28 PM
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Review: I hiked from the Granite Mountain Trailhead, and it was 12 miles round trip. I didn't actually check the distance before hiking because my initial destination was supposed to be Granite Mt, but at the 1st mile divide, instead of climbing up towards Granite, I decided to walk straight and go to Pratt instead, just for adventure's sake. After that initial divide, I barely came across another living soul, and it was a very serene quiet hike. The sounds of traffic from the I90 faded away, and sounds of creeks and water trickling by took over. The trail is easy and well marked. I crossed over several waterfalls and streams, and it was very nice. The acent is very gradual until the next divide, which is between going left to Mason Lake, or right to Pratt and Melakwa lakes. From here on, the hike turns downwards towards the lake, and I crossed a rocky boulder area, which looks treacherous, but a short distance. After that, it wasn't too difficult getting to Pratt. All in all, a pleaseant hike, not too steep, and good for intermediate or beginner levels.
Pratt Lake
Reviewed By: Kim on Sunday, July 31, 2005 @ 08:08:45 PM
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Review: We just finished the Pratt lake Trail starting from the Granite Mountain trailhead - too bad we didn't read this first we would have loved to hike the loop trail, but didn't realize it was available. We brought our friend who had never backpacked before because it was a 2 out of 5 in a very famous backpacking book. Personally I would have made it a 3 out of 5. With the 2400 in elevation gain and another 800 or so loss to the lake it can tucker out someone with a 40lb pack on for the first time expecting it to be low on the strenuous scale. Anyways, I would really recommend this hike as a fun backpacking trip that can be challenging but not impossible to the weekend warrior or a fun day hike. What really struck me about this hike is that we were out on a weekend in the middle of the summer and camped alone at a lake less than one hour from Seattle. Where else is this possible? The lake was beautiful and the water was much warmer and inviting than most I've been to.
The hike itself had a little of everything. There were beautiful cascading streams, boulder fields, shaded forrest floors, a saddle walk with a grand view of Mount Rainier, and of course the serene lake.
Pratt lake seems far from everything on a glorious summer night, yet close enough to the car to bring a bottle of wine to enjoy. Cheers!
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