Decided to take a 3 day overnight trip to probably my favorite lake, Island Lake in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness from June 8-10, 2025 via the Granite Mtn / Pratt Lake Trailhead (I believe at least half of my WTA trip reports are on Island Lake). As on my previous trips, I took the Pratt Lake Trail No. 1007 up along the ridge above Olallie Lake to Mt. Defiance Trail No. 1009 to the side trail to Island Lake. The forecast showed that it was going to be summer-like in the mountains for at least a few days. The most recent trip reports for the Rainbow/Island Lake area stated that there was still quite a bit of snow on the trails in this area, so I brought my ice axe and Yaktrax, but I didn’t need them. Trekking poles were sufficient. For historical reference, two years ago at this same time of year I did this hike and the side trail to Island Lake from the main trail was completely covered in snow and Island Lake was still partially iced over (see my June 7-9, 2023 Island Lake trip report). It was quite a bit different this year as I write about below.
Important details before I get to the main report:
- Road to parking lot and car numbers: The short road to the lot is paved, no issues except for one pothole. The lot was full when I arrived at 7:45 am on Sunday, June 8th with a couple cars already parked along the road. The lot was about half full when I returned on Tuesday, June 10th at 2:50pm. The trailhead toilet was stocked with TP.
- Trail Condition: The dirt part of the trail is in great shape. See Snow Level comments.
- Stream Crossings: All of the main streams were flowing, but there were no issues crossing any of them.
- Snow level: The first snow isn’t found until you drop from the ridge past the first boulder field. The snow is intermittent and the actual trail is visible in spots and is easy to follow. Just watch out for thinning snow on the trail and walk on the thicker sections. The sign to Island lake was not covered in snow, so you can see where to turn. The side trail to Island lake was also intermittently covered in snow. Again, you can see the trail between sections of snow. Note, for those going to Rainbow Lake and Sir Richard Pond, the snow is again, intermittent and you can follow the trail easily. Note that this snow is melting fast, there was considerable meltage by the time I departed. There was no snow at Mason Lake or on the Ira Spring Trail up to the 4,300 ft pass. If you are going up Mt. Defiance, there is again intermittent snow in the trees, which is easy to follow except for one longest section of snow at about 4,700 feet where you need to more carefully follow previous tracks. But since the snow is melting fast, this issue will probably be moot soon.
- Blowdowns: One blowdown is on the Mt. Defiance trail 1009 on the ridge about a 5 minute walk west of where the Pratt Lake trail drops down, but it was just an easy stepover. There is also a large blowdown on the small ridge just prior to dropping down to Island Lake, which requires a straddle over.
- Camp Privy: Looks like there is a new location for the camp privy along the toilet trail.
- Bug Report: The mosquitoes are starting to come out at night. They seemed most active between 8:00-9:30pm, but they seemed to all go to bed by 9:45pm. In the mornings, the gnats are starting to get noticable. I wouldn’t say that both of these have reached the threshold of annoying yet, but I got a feeling they will get to that point pretty soon. Wearing a polypro hat kept them out of my ears which solved most of the problem.
Main Report:
Arrived at the Granite Mtn. / Pratt Lake Trailhead at 7:45am. The trailhead privy had plenty of TP. Checked the posted trail status report, which stated that the Pratt Lake campsites were still covered in snow. Since Pratt Lake is 900 feet lower than Island Lake, I decided to bring my ice axe and Yaktrax.
The trail up was in great condition. The spring flowers, especially the Trillium and all the new growth are going strong including the blueberries and huckleberries (see pic). The classic view of Mt. Rainier at the opening in trees along the ridge was looking really good. Saw about a dozen folks, mostly day hikers plus a couple of trail runners.
The trail was snow free until reaching that small boulder field after dropping down from the high point on the ridge. As stated above, it was pretty easy to follow the trail since you can see portions of the trail now and then. After making the turn to Island Lake off of the main trail, the snow sections were a little longer, but you can still easily follow the trail pretty easily. I did notice more trail tread when I departed on the 10th compared to when I went in on the 8th, so I think the snow will melt out fairly quickly.
There was no ice/snow on Island Lake like I saw 2 years ago. However, the lake was covered by yellow/green colored tree pollen. As the breeze picked up, the pollen got pretty thick as it gathered along the shoreline (see 2nd picture). The campsites are snow free, but there are plenty of snow patches nearby to cool down your bevs.
On June 9th, I hiked past Rainbow Lake, Sir Richard Pond, Mason Lake and up Mt. Defiance. The wildflowers along the exposed section of the trail on Mt. Defiance are switching from yellow glacier lilies to red columbine and lupin. The views from the top of Defiance are spectacular, especially rewarding after that final 0.2 mile buns-of-steel workout. Of course, Mt. Rainier is right smack in your face, but you can also see Mt. Adams in the distance next to Rainier and Mt. Baker and Glacier Mt. to the north and Mt. Stuart to the east very clearly. Two groups of two hikers joined me on the summit soon after I arrived. After Defiance, I ventured over to Mason Lake and the trail up to the 4,300 ft pass on the Ira Spring trail to check if there is any snow remaining. There is no snow at Mason Lake nor on the trail. But Mason Lake was also covered in tree pollen. And you could see the pollen floating in the air all around you. I’m certainly glad I’m not allergic to it.
Back at camp, I put my feet and then my knees in the lake to chill down. The water temperature was 58 degrees, quite a bit warmer than the 41 degrees I measured 2 years ago.
Both evenings I stayed there were pleasant and star-filled. I didn’t even bother putting on my rainfly.
The hike out was uneventful and pleasant. Only ran into a couple groups that were hiking in, one group hiking in looked to have overnight gear.
Have fun out there,
OMG
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