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Trip Report

Kaleetan Lake — Saturday, Jul. 7, 2007

Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
Tuscohatchie Lake
I left the Pratt Lk t.h. at 0830 with the intention of going at least as far as Tuscohatchie and from there making a go or no go decision to continue on to Kaleetan. Arriving at Tuscohatchie at 1030, I took a short break before crossing the bridge across the outlet and locating the sign pointing the way to Windy and Kaleetan. Seeing the posted mileage (2 1/2 to Windy and 3 to Kaleetan) I decided to press on. From here the trail quickly descends about 1/2 mi and 500 ft to a small river crossing where you have a choice to wade through the water and some very slippery looking rocks or to make your way across a log. The log is pretty slick too but easy enough to straddle and inch your way accross but if you had a fully loaded pack, kicking off the boots and carefully wading across would probably be the better option. Once across the trail starts steeply back uphill and doesn't stop for what felt to be about 2 miles. Now at about this point I was thinking back to that sign that said 2.5 mi to Windy Lake and thinking it couldn't be right since there was no sign of the lake. But soon enough the grade gradually lessened, rounds a corner to the right then the descent to Windy Lake begins and in about a 1/2 mile there it is. Past Windy the trail continues down another 1/2 mile to Kaleetan which is definitely the more scenic of the two. In all it took me a full 2 hours to go the ""3 miles"" from Tuscohatchie to Kaleetan but I'm guessing it's really closer to 4 miles than 3. The trail is narrow and steep in places both going in and coming out. The first 1/2 mile and last mile going in are downhill and make for about 1400-1500 ft of uphill for the return trip out. No snow at all on the trail and only 2 blowdowns that are easily stepped over or around. I made the 22 mile round trip in a day but if I was to do it again would plan on making it a 2-3 day trip.
Kaleetan Lake
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