Talapus and Olallie Lakes, Melakwa - Pratt Lake Traverse — Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025

We started at the Talapus/Olallie trailhead at about 9:15. There were 8-10 other cars in the lot. Road was clear and the bathroom clean and well-stocked. Trail was clear up to Olallie lake and through to the Pratt Lake connector. Some intermittent snow on the rocks leading down to Pratt lake, and lots of water on the trail that won’t take much to turn to ice as the weather cools. Trail becomes more muddy and a bit overgrown past Pratt lake as you head into Lower Talcohotchie. The overgrowth clears out as you start the climb to Malekwa, but the snow gets thicker too - especially as you get above 3500’-3700’. Snow was easy to walk on and the boot path was well defined even as the snow got deeper. Once up at Malekwa, there is about 4” of snow on the ground and the trail that goes around the lake is pretty solidly snow covered. Poles and careful foot placement were helpful here. We left Malekwa at about 3pm and needed headlamps within an hour as the darkness fell quickly under the trees. It was an uneventful, but long, walk back in the dark - make sure your headlamp has lots of battery life! Beautiful day to get out in to the mountains and soak up some late season sunshine.