Talapus and Olallie Lakes, Pratt Mountain

Unknown to me, road 9030 has been fixed. We were headed up to Mason Lake and I noticed that road 9030 was being traveled. The road was slick but negotiable. Hiking this Sunday was wet from start to finish. The trail is muddy where it isn't either in snow or standing water. After the first few miles it is solid snow.

Talapus lake was easily reached. It is all but frozen over and with the heavy grey hanging over Western Washington there weren't many views. A short while later one reaches the turn off to Granite Mountain's parking lot (to the right). The latter option is actually a little bit shorter and the lot is plowed year-round. As one continues up 1039 pass the next large hairpin turn to the right then start heading up hill (off trail) bearing slightly to the right. After a gain of ~500' one reaches the ridge line. Turn left on the ridge and stay on it for a mile or so to the obvious summit. There isn't a trail per say, rather staying on the ridge is trail enough. The snow was deep and steep at times. We are forever indebted to the party of four who broke trail ahead of us. On a nice day the views are spectacular. Today we were contented with snow covered trees and rocks and the serpentine path through the snow.

There is a spot or two that some might consider exposed on this hike. There are also some very steep sections but they don't last more than 50-60'. As with any winter hike avalanche precautions should be observed. That much being said, this hike has very little avalanche danger even on high danger days such as today was.