Pratt Lake Basin, Melakwa Lake, Denny Creek, Talapus and Olallie Lakes

On the hottest weekend of the year (so far), we dove into the Alpine Lake Wilderness for some solitude and refreshing adventure. At least we had an adventure!

We started at the Talapus/Olallie TH after placing a car at Denny Creek. We hiked past a quiet Talapus, raging Olallie and dropped down to serene Pratt. After filling water, we continued to Tuscohatchie which would be our camp for the night. I had been there 2 years ago and it seemed to be an unknown lake, somehow kept secret by a slightly rough and sometimes overgrown trail from Pratt. But as the day grew longer, hikers started appearing and by evening, every flat spot was occupied with a tent. There is now a new toilet there and the lake still stayed quiet, despite the number of people there.

In the morning, we climbed up toward Melakwa Lake and went up to Upper Melakwa which is a fairly easy trail and it surprised me that I hadn't been there before. There were a significant number of people at Melakwa, but no campers since they have now made it a day-use only lake (from being loved to death, no doubt). I ventured uphill to the toilet which was new and provided a peek-a-boo view of the valley and peaks.

Then it was time to descend over rock fields, baking in the hot sun, climbing over a few downed trees and down to water. We knew we were close to Denny Creek because we could hear... not the sound of rushing water... the cries of delighted children. It was a quick re-entry into civilization to see everyone playing at the waterslide creek but soon we joined in the fun, too.