Talapus and Olallie Lakes — Monday, Jan. 26, 2015

Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass

While this FS road is notorious for it's large potholes, it has seen quite a bit of washout since I was last up here. The ruts in the road are quite large and rocky and would really only recommend high clearance vehicles. I was able to carefully make it up the road in my Subaru, and I only saw trucks and other Subarus at the trailhead. Although there are some wide spots in the road before the ruts, I wouldn't guarantee being able to park here and walk up. Absolutely gorgeous day for a hike, felt a lot more like spring than summer and the trail gave evidence of this as well. The trail is quite muddy in it's usual spots (right before reaching Talapus lake and again before the Olallie/Pratt fork). There is also compact snow that is mostly ice stretching from the bridges to Talapus lake and again just before the Olallie/Pratt fork. Despite having my spikes with me I didn't really bother using them and didn't have much trouble with my footing. If you have any interest in staying the night at Ollalie, most of the campsites are quite wet except the very first one where I passed a couple of hikers who had appeared to have camped last night. Also if you are planning to continue on to Pratt lake the creek at the fork is currently quite high and looks as if it would take some very careful footing to cross.