Weekend Photos: Pratt Lake Backpack

A few weeks ago a friend came to visit, and I outfitted us both with backpacking gear (yes, I can fully gear up at least one extra person, if they can fit the same size pack I do) for an overnight hike in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness (Washington).

Our goal: Pratt Lake, about 6 miles in from the Talapus Lake Trailhead. Why? Because sleeping in the mountains is not only the best way to get good light for photos (weather permitting, which it didn't really), but is just good for the soul. We packed light for a fast overnight, which keeps it more fun. I didn't think there would be great photo ops, and decided to take only my cell phone, not the "real" camera (also left the camera because it looked like it could rain on us). I am pleased with how well the photos came out.

 

We waited to leave home until after the morning commute, so had lunch at the trailhead and started hiking after noon. 

Pete Possum, raring for another adventure.

 Less than 2 miles of easy climbing took us to Talapus Lake, where we stopped for snacks and to enjoy the views.

My friend took this one of me staring at the lake, an important outdoor activity.

We climbed a bunch more, bypassing Olallie Lake, but stopping on the ridge above it to look back at the water, with clouds obscuring the longer views. 

But wait! What is that we see? Not everything that looks like a cloud is a cloud!
 

Mt. Rainier unveils just enough of her face to be identified.

With the weather mostly overcast, not to mention that I was traveling with a botanist, this hike was really all about the flowers. And the bees.

Bear Grass

I'm not sure what this one is, but if you look closely you can see a couple of tiny red mites enjoying it.

Bunchberry

Heather, with a happy pollinator.

After much climbing and almost as much descending, we achieved Pratt Lake, and found a campsite without too many mosquitoes.

Pratt Lake. The campsites are all at the far end.

We'd had some thought of continuing on to the next lake, but it was getting perilously close to dinner time, so we decided we'd had enough and made camp. Talking later to some other campers who'd walked over to said lake, we learned it was bad with mosquitoes, so we were glad we'd stopped.

Flat ground was in short supply, so we stuck the tents close. That allowed conversations to continue after bugs and chill drove us indoors.

 

Because we stuck to the main trail, which was the less steep but longer way in, our hike was just over 6 miles in, with a climb of upwards of 1700' (and a drop of half that). Photos and botanizing made it a slow trip, so that was plenty for a half day.

We got a few raindrops and some drizzle overnight, though in the morning the tents were pretty dry outside--and the flies wet on the inside from condensation. I'd made a good decision bringing the Big Agnes rather than my single-wall Tarptent, which also has a larger footprint and might have made siting the tents within talking distance a challenge.

Morning came with mist and loads of atmosphere, some of it hanging rather damply about the treetops.

Mist on the lake.

We packed up fairly promptly after breakfast, our mission accomplished, and started back the way we came.

Our early start brought a bonus: pikas! I hadn't been sure we were high enough for them, though the talus field above the lake was perfect habitat.

Can you spot it?

I'm pretty happy with the photos, which used the zoom lens and a lot of digital cropping, and still came out pretty clear.

This time, we took the shortcut to Olallie Lake (a semi-official trail that is very steep but cuts off at least a half mile and brings the hiker to the lake).

No glimpses of Rainier today. But a pleasant spot for second breakfast.

The weather began moving in, and we finally stopped studying all the flowers and made tracks for the car. We got there about 12:30, just over 24 hours from our start time, and just as the raindrops started to get close enough together to matter.

At the trailhead.

It's amazing what 24 hours in the woods can do for the psyche. I'm trying not to go more than a couple of weeks without getting out, and have the rest of the summer planned so that can work (I don't do winter camping, so I have to cope through those months).  Stay tuned for the next adventure :)

 

Meanwhile, in other news--the cover for Edited Out is coming along nicely. It's not done, but we're far enough I can share a "work in progress" sneak preview!

 

 

©Rebecca M. Douglass, 2025   
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