Lower Tuscohatchie Lake #1011, Pratt Lake Basin

Started hiking from the Pratt Lake trailhead, I-90 Exit 47, at about 7:40. Lot was surprisingly empty, only a few cars and some people gearing up. After about an hour, quarter mile north of the Talapus Lake junction, I saw a beautiful bull elk on the trail. He took off as soon as he saw me, and disappeared in the trees, with an annoyed snort. Half mile later, had a great view of Rainier with Talapus Lake below me. Then it was up and over the ridge into Pratt Lake basin. At the northern end of Pratt Lake, started seeing some gorgeous old growth, and the rest of my hike/run to Melakwa Lake was filled with giant trees. I first hiked this trail 5 years ago, and remember the section of trail from Pratt to Tuscohatchie, and another section before the climb to Melakwa as being overly brushy and hard to see the trail more than two feet in front of me. I was really happy to see that WTA? trail crews had been busy and cleared the trails of all brush, and it was easy running both ways. Trail was in perfect shape. Once again, I was reminded that I need to volunteer for more than just one trail crew every summer. I could concentrate on the great views of the Pratt River valley down to the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie. Tuscohatchie was windy, and soon enough I started climbing the ridge to Melakwa Lake. Some cool views down to the granite-carved creek bed of the lake's outfall. Arrived at Melakwa by 10, and saw the first people since I left the trailhead. Hung out on my favorite rock at Upper Melakwa and went for a very cold swim. Felt really good to clean off, and sitting in the morning sun felt even better. Sky was blue, the mountain basin closed off all the outside noise, and life was very good. Ate a riceball and a granola bar, then it was back the way I had come. I spent about 15 minutes at the lake. Coming down, it was easy running all the way back to Pratt, where I started seeing hikers again. Pretty cool to have close to 13 miles of awesome trail to myself on a beautiful Saturday morning. The climb out of Pratt Lake was quicker than I expected, although my legs were feeling a bit tired. Nice easy run down to the trailhead after cresting the ridge separating Pratt and Talapus. Stopped at one of the creeks along the way and sat on a rock ledge while the stream gushed around me. Felt like a satisfied black bear, and could have stayed a lot longer, but I didn't have any blueberries. Not surprisingly, the trailhead was packed with cars by the time I got back around noon.
Total time on trail: 4hr, 30 min.
Total mileage: 18.5 miles
Total elev. gain: about 4,300 ft.
Trail conditions were perfect.
A huge shout-out to WTA for an awesome trail experience!