Pratt Lake Basin, Granite Mountain — Sunday, Jul. 31, 2011

Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area

We arrived at the trail head around 1230 pm. Now they want u to pay fees at these trailheads, but I drove to aj area outside of Where the sign was posted, to avoid having to pay a fee. It was a walk Not too much further away. We hiked up the first mile at a good Pace...the trail increased in elevation almost instantly. When we finally Made it to the first mile marker, we took a break. We could go left to pratt lake, or right to granite mountain. I knew granite mountain would be wicked. I've read all about it. I could Visually see how wicked it was, when comparing it to the pratt trail Granite mountain looked purely evil. We started our ascent up granite mountain. Man it kicked our butts. We didn't even make it a mile up before I realized we couldn't do it! I have made it to the top of Mt Si before. But I couldn't make it To the second mile on granite mtn. It almost seemed like each step We took was at least a foot in elevation... So we made the choice to turn around and go to Pratt Lake instead. I am so glad we did! The prat lake trail is spacious. There really were more people leaving the trail Then going to the lake. We had a few small waterfall and river Crossings and our feet stayed dry. We saw pretty flowers Turns out it was 6 miles to pratt lake , and we thought it was three ... Then after hiking maybe 2 hrs, we found a sign that pointed right And said Pratt Lake Basin! Woo hoo! We were so happy. The trail started an intense decent of switchbacks into the basin. We could Kind of see the lake through the trees, but not really We got out of the switchbacks and started on a trail through a hill of granite Stone. It was really cool looking... Then it turned back into trail, then broke out again into a hillside Of granite stone... Then lower we got into the basin...another few moments and we finally hit The lake! It was beautiful. Surrounded by granite stone everywhere. We sat and had lunch, then before we knew it, it was time to get going. There were mosquitos in the basin, so it would have been nice to Have some bug spray. We dreaded the switch backs going out of the basin. We were exhausted From attempting granit mtn earlier. We thought we were never going to make It out of the basin But then before we knew it, we were out! We were relieved! All in all good hike to pratt lake. I don't know how I feel about hiking Out of a basin though, lol