Trip Date: August 20-21, 2011
Granite Mountain Circuit: Pratt Pass to Hemlock Pass
Pratt Pass
Talapus Lake Overlook
Pratt Mountain (5099 ft)
Pratt Lake
Lower Tuscohatchie Lake
Melakwa Lake
Hemlock Pass
Denny Creek Waterslide
Trip Report Summary
Region: Central Washington Cascades
Sub-Region: Lower Snoqualmie Range
Area: Alpine Lakes Wilderness
Starting Point: Pratt Lake / Granite Mountain Trailhead off Interstate 90 at Exit 47 (Elev. 1900 feet)
Way Points: Granite Mountain Trail junction & Olallie Lake Bowl & Pratt Pass & Pratt Lake & Lower Tuscohatchie Lake & Upper Pratt River & Melakwa Lake & Hemlock Pass & Denny Creek & Snowshoe Falls & Keekwulee Falls & Denny Creek Waterslide (trail hike)
Ending Point: Denny Creek Trailhead on Denny Creek Road #58 (Elev. 2300 feet)
Campsite: Lower Tuscohatchie Lake
Sidetrip: Pratt Ridge & Talapus Lake Overlook (trail hike)
Summit: Pratt Mountain (rock scramble via South Slope)
Approximate Stats (excluding sidetrip): 13.5 miles traveled; 3800 feet gained; 3400 feet lost.
Approximate Stats (including sidetrip): 16 miles traveled; 4700 feet gained; 4300 feet lost.
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Full Trip Report
This was a “Friends & Family Backpacking Trip” in the Snoqualmie Mountains with Eileen, Derek, Thomas, Sarah, and Nita. It was a beautiful summer weekend for a campout.
Day 1: Pratt Lake Trailhead to Lower Tuscohatchie Lake + Pratt Mtn
After dropping a car at the Denny Creek TH, we all drove over to the Pratt Lake / Granite Mtn TH and headed up to Pratt Pass. Sarah and Nita proceeded over the pass in order to get us a campsite down at Lower Tuscohatchie Lake. Meanwhile, Eileen, Derek, Thomas, and I took a sidetrip over to the Talapus Lake Overlook and scrambled up Pratt Mountain.
- Scrambling Up Pratt Mountain
- Tom, Derek, and Eileen On Pratt Mountain
- Kaleetan Peak and Chair Peak From Pratt Mountain
We left the summit, returned to Pratt Pass, and then descended to sapphire-blue Pratt Lake. A bit further down the trail, we found Sarah and Nita at Lower Tuscohatchie Lake (7.1 hours from TH) and enjoyed a swim in the warm water before dinner.
- Pratt Lake From Trail
- Kaleetan Peak Reflection At Tuscohatchie Lake
Day 2: Lower Tuscohatchie Lake to Denny Creek Trailhead
In the morning, we hiked 3 miles up to Melakwa Lake and stopped for a snack break. Several of us took a quick dip in the cold water.
- Melakwa Lake Shoreline
- Friends & Family At Melakwa Lake
We continued hiking down Denny Creek, past scores of day-hikers, backpackers, and picnickers, to finish our circuit at the Denny Creek Trailhead (6.5 hours from camp).
Photo Gallery
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