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awilsondc Member
Joined: 03 Apr 2016 Posts: 1323 | TRs | Pics
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On my way back from my West Granite sunrise hike a few weeks back, it seemed like everyone I passed on the way out was headed up to Pratt Mountain. Seemed like a good idea I thought, but I had to wait three weeks for a decent weather window. My friend and I got off to a late start by my standards and hit the trail a hair after 8:30. The well trampled and icy trail was perfect for microspikes. At the first big switch back where the trail goes from eastbound to westbound we came across an avalanche field which was 10-20 feet deep in places.
Avalanche debris
The creek crossings were pretty easy aside from one snow covered log crossing which had 10 feet of drop on either side, but was easy to cross in microspikes.
Creek crossing Log bridge with several feet of snow on it? No problem. Another bridge
We took the Talpus lake turn off and headed towards Olallie Lake. The lake drainage creek carved a nice little canyon through the snowpack, but we found an easy crossing right at the lake. We also ran into another party of three at the lake who we would leapfrog several times on the way up to the summit and back.
Olallie Lake drainage Olallie Lake
The slopes from the lake until near the rock outcropping were mostly hardened crust, but it started to soften a bit as we got higher.
Another hiker
Soon the terrain opened up and the views out towards Kaleetan and Chair were quite impressive.
First views of Kaleetan and Chair Kaleetan Pratt Mountain ridge panorama
The rock outcropping crux at 4600 ft was completely snow covered, but there was a 2-3 inch soft slab on top of a hard crust and it didn't look good as far as traction so we took the detour around it to the north (right) aaaaaaaaand that's where I lost my camera.
Rock outcropping (snow covered)
I had my camera in my pocket and noticed it wasn't there any longer. Crap. The terrain here was pretty steep. Fortunately my friend me had seen it bounce down the steep slope at a rapid pace and pointed me in the right direction. I followed its trail in the snow about 100 feet down the slope until I found it in a tree well. Cool. No damage, fully functional. Whew. Back into the backpack it went, and back up to the ridge I went. Nice little detour and some extra exercise. After a bit more hiking on the lovely ridge we passed another solo hiker and shortly after, reached the summit.
Nearing the summit Summit selfie
We were promptly greeted by camp robbers.
Camp robber Camp robber Camp robbers Granite
And soon after, the other party reached the summit as well. First time I've had to share a summit in 8 months.
Other party reaching the summit Checking out the views - Rainier in the background
We ate some foot and pointed out all the peaks and lakes in the area, all the while fending off the camp robbers who were fairly bold in their attempts to score some food. We linger for about 45 minutes, taking in the views before we departed.
Pratt Summit Bryant, Snoqualmie w/ Chimney Rock and Chikamin Chimney Rock Roosevelt Defiance and Lake Kulla Kulla Island Lakes and Rainbow Lake w/ Bandera and McClellan Butte Pratt Mountain cornices Cool tree Parting shot of Pratt Lake
The way down sucked. As I mentioned there was 2-3 inches of soft snow on top of a hard crust. In snowshoes, the crampons would dig through the soft snow and slide on the crust. We took them off, but in boots it was knee deep post holeing every other step. Usually I love descending in snowy conditions, but from the summit back to the lake was about the worst descent I can remember in a long time and my friend lost a microspike. But we made it. It was a great day and SO nice to have some sunshine finally. 7 1/2 hours car to car at a casual pace.
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mbravenboer Member
Joined: 20 Oct 2013 Posts: 1422 | TRs | Pics Location: Seattle |
Very nice photos! The vertical Kaleetan one is particularly nice.
Sounds pretty lucky that you spotted your camera!
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Bernardo Member
Joined: 08 Feb 2010 Posts: 2174 | TRs | Pics Location: out and about in the world |
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Bernardo
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Tue Mar 21, 2017 9:14 pm
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Thanks for the nice report!
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RichP Member
Joined: 13 Jul 2006 Posts: 5628 | TRs | Pics Location: here |
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RichP
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Tue Mar 21, 2017 9:24 pm
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Great photos from a bluebird day.
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Just_Some_Hiker Member
Joined: 02 Jan 2013 Posts: 691 | TRs | Pics Location: Snoqualmie, WA |
awilsondc wrote: | Kaleetan |
Beautiful picture. I've been up Kaleetan before and it didn't seem that steep.
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puzzlr Mid Fork Rocks
Joined: 13 Feb 2007 Posts: 7216 | TRs | Pics Location: Stuck in the middle |
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puzzlr
Mid Fork Rocks
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Wed Mar 22, 2017 12:12 am
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Outstanding photos. That's a view of Roosevelt I don't remember seeing. It looks impossible from this side.
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awilsondc Member
Joined: 03 Apr 2016 Posts: 1323 | TRs | Pics
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Jeff wrote: | I rode that narrow bridge like a pommel horse both ways. Good work walking it!
I too was surprised to see anyone else up there. I figured it was an obscure summit. Maybe it is, but good weather brings people out. |
Jeff, were you the solo hiker we passed near the summit?
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iron Member
Joined: 10 Aug 2008 Posts: 6391 | TRs | Pics Location: southeast kootenays |
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iron
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Wed Mar 22, 2017 10:38 am
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i've never had clear views from pratt (in the dozen times i've been there). who knew they aren't too shabby?!
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oneeyedfatman Member
Joined: 14 Dec 2015 Posts: 26 | TRs | Pics Location: Seattle, WA |
Is the road up from Exit 45 melted out at all or did you have to start hiking at the freeway?
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awilsondc Member
Joined: 03 Apr 2016 Posts: 1323 | TRs | Pics
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oneeyedfatman wrote: | Is the road up from Exit 45 melted out at all or did you have to start hiking at the freeway? |
From the freeway to the trailhead parking lot was completely melted out.
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JPH Member
Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Posts: 808 | TRs | Pics
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JPH
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Wed Mar 22, 2017 2:10 pm
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awilsondc wrote: | oneeyedfatman wrote: | Is the road up from Exit 45 melted out at all or did you have to start hiking at the freeway? |
From the freeway to the trailhead parking lot was completely melted out. |
I think there might be a disconnect here - did you start from the Granite trailhead? 45 is the Talapus/Ira Spring exit.
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awilsondc Member
Joined: 03 Apr 2016 Posts: 1323 | TRs | Pics
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JPH wrote: | I think there might be a disconnect here - did you start from the Granite trailhead? 45 is the Talapus/Ira Spring exit. |
You're probably right, I don't know the exit numbers that well. I used the Pratt Lake / Granite Mountain trailhead, not sure what exit number that is. 47? Anyway, it's melted out.
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Galadriel Member
Joined: 17 Jun 2003 Posts: 249 | TRs | Pics
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Riverside Laker, myself and another friend were the three others climbing Pratt and leapfrogging with you on Sunday. What a fabulous day to be on the summit.
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awilsondc Member
Joined: 03 Apr 2016 Posts: 1323 | TRs | Pics
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Galadriel wrote: | Riverside Laker, myself and another friend were the three others climbing Pratt and leapfrogging with you on Sunday. What a fabulous day to be on the summit. |
Hahaha, that is so awesome! I wondered about all of you possibly being on NWHikers, I should have asked! Well, it was nice to meet you all, if only in passing. It was indeed a wonderful day!
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PaleoCook Member
Joined: 13 Dec 2016 Posts: 134 | TRs | Pics
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Thanks for the report! I'm amazed your friend lost a microspike on the way down...that must have been a pain. Great pictures.
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