Pratt Lake Basin, Mount Defiance
Aug 28, 2012
by
trailmarker
—
last modified
Sep 02, 2012 01:35 PM
- Type of Outing
- Day hike
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: Pratt Lake Basin
- Region: Snoqualmie Pass -- North Bend Area
- Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie NF
- Trails: Pratt Lake (#1007)
- Avg Rating: 3.62
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: Mount Defiance
- Region: Snoqualmie Pass -- Snoqualmie Pass
- Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Snoqualmie Ranger District, North Bend Office
- Trails: Mount Defiance (#1009)
- Avg Rating: 4.12
I had hiked the Pratt Lake trail to the saddle above the lake many times, but rarely ventured beyond on the Mt Defiance trail. Honestly, this was supposed to be a close to home trip whose main goal was adding some miles to my HaT total. Familiarity can breed contempt, and my expectations were pretty low.
The trail to the saddle is in great condition. I hadn't been up here for 5 years, and there has been a slide which took down the forest at one of the first switchbacks. Very odd to see the sun on a trail which was once entirely in shade. There are no obstacles though, and you can now see the waterfall as well as hear it.
The trail climbs moderately but steadily, passing the Granite Mountain junction at one mile and the Talapus Lake junction at 3 3/4 miles. Many small streams are crossed along the way, running pretty low at this point in the season. Except for the slide area, the path offers no views until a break in the trees just shy of the saddle. Look down to Olallie Lake and, on a clear day, out to Mt Rainier. I stopped here for a bite, as I always do on this trail. Today, I should have waited.
Shortly, the Pratt Lake trail drops down toward, well, Pratt Lake, while the Mt Defiance trail takes over along the ridgetop. The pathway begins to poke out of the trees more and more as it contours along Pratt Mountain. The lake and peak views become more dramatic, and soon the trail winds steeply over a knob. This stretch is short, however, and you quickly drop down the other side near a large, pretty boulder field. Wind through meadows, pass a junction for Island Lake, and quickly find yourself standing on the shores of Rainbow Lake. What a beautiful surprise! This was uncharted territory for me, and I was amazed I had passed within 1 1/2 miles of such a spot all these years. There is even a perfect stretch out rock right by the water.
I began this hike looking to pad my HaT miles, knowing my day would be routine if not somewhat mundane. I love being proved wrong.
The trail to the saddle is in great condition. I hadn't been up here for 5 years, and there has been a slide which took down the forest at one of the first switchbacks. Very odd to see the sun on a trail which was once entirely in shade. There are no obstacles though, and you can now see the waterfall as well as hear it.
The trail climbs moderately but steadily, passing the Granite Mountain junction at one mile and the Talapus Lake junction at 3 3/4 miles. Many small streams are crossed along the way, running pretty low at this point in the season. Except for the slide area, the path offers no views until a break in the trees just shy of the saddle. Look down to Olallie Lake and, on a clear day, out to Mt Rainier. I stopped here for a bite, as I always do on this trail. Today, I should have waited.
Shortly, the Pratt Lake trail drops down toward, well, Pratt Lake, while the Mt Defiance trail takes over along the ridgetop. The pathway begins to poke out of the trees more and more as it contours along Pratt Mountain. The lake and peak views become more dramatic, and soon the trail winds steeply over a knob. This stretch is short, however, and you quickly drop down the other side near a large, pretty boulder field. Wind through meadows, pass a junction for Island Lake, and quickly find yourself standing on the shores of Rainbow Lake. What a beautiful surprise! This was uncharted territory for me, and I was amazed I had passed within 1 1/2 miles of such a spot all these years. There is even a perfect stretch out rock right by the water.
I began this hike looking to pad my HaT miles, knowing my day would be routine if not somewhat mundane. I love being proved wrong.
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