Talapus and Olallie Lakes — Friday, Dec. 26, 2014

Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass

Loaded up the dogs and left Tacoma by 9 and headed up to the trail head for Talapus Lake. Minor spots of snow on the road up, nothing any car couldn't navigate. Made it to the trailhead around 11. Weather was rain free and even had a few sun breaks. The trail was wet and we hit snow about 1/2 mile up. By the time we reached Talapus Lake snow was about 5" deep and the lake had about a 1" layer of ice by the bank. Had no problem hiking up in our regular hiking boots and gators. Stopped for some pictures and continued up to Pratt Lake. Unfortunately the crossing to Pratt at the Olallie-Pratt intersection was too washed out for our little Corgi to cross so we headed up to Olallie Lake instead. We stop and slip on our Yak Traks since the snow started getting deeper. Would have been completely doable without them though. Crossed paths with 3 other groups either coming or going so the trail was quiet and peaceful. You could feel the temperature drop a few degrees on the way to Olallie and the snow level increase. We were glad for our gloves and ear warmers. Had about 8" of snow at Olallie. Brushed off a log and sat down for some lunch with the dogs. Took a few pictures of the lake, layered up and headed back down. Reached the car at about 3. It was a slow go back down because the Corgi's little legs finally got tired from hiking in the snow. With about 1/2 mile left his human picked him up and carried him out on her shoulders. Luckily he appreciates it and laid up there like a good boy. I can see this being a really good snowshoe after a couple of good snow dumpings.