Mount Si, CCC Road: Blowout Creek Trailhead & Pratt Connector to Pratt River Trail — Friday, May. 20, 2005

Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area

This trail run was going to be the nicest and greatest of the year so far. Or so we thought. We have run all of the trails listed but we were never on the Pratt River Trail. Since it is a nice solid line on the map we figured it would be this wonderfully maintained 14 mile connector trail from the outlet of Pratt Lake down to the Middle Fork. Were we wrong!! The 3 of us left at 7am from the Pratt Lake Trailhead at exit 47 after leaving a car at Mount Si. The run was wonderful up and over and down to Pratt Lake. We found the little mystery trail on the outlet of Pratt Lake. (Pass the log-jam and cross via the boulders.) There is a ribbon that you might see on the opposite side. The trail is there and although not maintained it is easy to follow. Once on it, I took a classic tumble on wet moss that sent me flying as well as my water bottle. You know that you have friends when they are laughing and yelling that they saw my two hands touched down. So I fell? I buy 'em each two beers. Reaching the Pratt River after descending this trail we crossed with water level about thigh deep. Fast yet not difficult. My wife looked like a Hyena pacing up and down the banks she was so nervous. Not the greatest river crosser but after some coaching she made it. Look for ribbons and you will be okay. You will climb out from the river and eventually head in a North to NW direction on an abandoned road grade. North by NW and you will not go wrong. You may lose it once in a while but it is always there. Numerous tributeries made for numerous crossings. Not heinous crossings but Dustin took a classic tumble in one of them that left him wet and cold for most of the day. He definately won fall of the day. You will not see anyone on this trail. It was not the rolling grade that we thought but, after all, it was a trail run. Eventually you will approach the Middle Fork but as you get within a mile or so of the river the brush begins to get thick. No devils club but not the smoothest miles. If you are a small person you may have a better time because as the trail turned upstream along the river the brush made one stoop over thru a tunnel of no fun bramble. The trail is there just have patience and soon you will arrive at the river bed. Continue in the river bed looking for a slightly hidden cairn-marked trail on your right.You are travelling with the river upstream and you will eventually reach the Gateway Bridge and the Middle Fork Trailhead. This is about 20 miles from exit 47. Head about 3.2 miles down the Middle Fork Road(56)(downstream) and you will see a new trail marked, CCC trail. DO not go this way!! Continue on until your altimeter reads about 960 feet and you will see large boulders and barriers on the right side of the road. This is the eastern end of the CCC Road trail that you will need to be on. This is a great alternate to the Middle Fork Road. You will climb to about 1300 feet and continue to about 1600 feet or so. Great views out to my left kept me from complaing about my hunger. If you have a map this section is a breeze. If not you may end up going downhill back to the Middle Fork Road!! Once you reach Big Blowout Creek you have 6.5 miles until the Teneriffe parking lot trailhead. Dustin had to be in Seattle by 6pm so Teneriffe and the traverse across to Mount Si was out for today. The Pratt River Trail was definately not made for quick time!! So we just contined a mile or so on the Mount Si road and got to the car around 4pm. Dustin and Iris swore they would never step foot on that trail again but I thought it was great. Solitude, some great crossings, and a lot of laughs. One day we may never be able to do these things. I would highly recommend this for the adventurous type. Just bring a map, look for the ribbons and have patience. The trail is there. For those mileage junkies (yes, you know you are out there) I believe without the Teneriffe to Si silliness we may have covered 35-37 miles. John