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At the trailhead. There are 3.2 miles of challenging road to get here. Don't take a sports car. The trailhead sits at 2,650 ft. above Puget Sound (also known as sound level). The trail never looks the same twice (unless you stand still and just blink). This is one of the cleanest, most normal looking spots along the way. Sometimes the trail gets swallowed up in the greenery. Sometimes it turns into mountain goat territory. Sometimes it really turns into mountain goat territory. Frequently it gets muddy. The planking is most welcome.
sign 1 trail 1 trail 2 trail 3 trail 4 trail 5
           
Frequently it gets really muddy. The logs don't amuse us. Yes, it can get muddier. The log and rock combo still doesn't help much. Log hopping is a serious trick with 4,000 pounds on your back. And sometimes the trail pretty much disappears. Binoculars, a compass and a little faith in the Forest Service come in handy. It's a creek. It's a trail. It's time to don the gaiters. Just so you know where you are. Talapus is the first of four lakes on the journey. Also the smallest. And you have to love the Native American names. we're up to 3,250 ft. at this point.
trail 6 trail 7 trail 8 trail 9 sign 2 Talapus
           
Fallen trees litter the landscape, which is understandable wen you see spidery trunk bases like this everywhere. This tree broke a few feet above the base. The top is just poking up on the other side of the trail. The piece in between was sawed off to clear the trail. Due to the awkward angle needed to capture it all, red borders have been added to locate the pieces. Hey, it's good enough for the police. Another semi-insubstantial trunk base. Or, could be the winter shelter for a very small bear. Closer inspection seemed ill-advised. A fallen tree falls with great aim and lodges itself between two of its still-standing comrades. Several mountain peaks are visible from the trail, but only after several hours of unbroken forest canopy. This is Granite Mountain (5,629 ft. for those who are counting). That impressive peak is Mt. Defiance (5,584 ft.) fronted by Pratt Mt. (5,099 ft.) There will be a test later.
base broken cave ladder Granite Defiance 1
           
Another angle on the twin peaks. No, not those twin peaks. Most plants have the good sense to steer clear of human feet. There's a fine line between courage and suicide. But so far, the humans have been sympathetic. KB and MC were here before you. I vote for Kevin Bacon and Marilyn Chambers. How about you? Another amazing arboreal trick. You can walk beneath this one. And snap a photo, of course. Northwesterners ain't called mossbacks for nuthin' y'know. This determined, persistent, steadfast, diligent, resolute, dogged, stalwart and stubborn plant grows over everything that doesn't roll. And has plenty of time to read the thesaurus. Varieties of moss are boundless. Or something.
Defiance 2 middle of the road initials overhead moss 1 moss 2
           
Everything looks better covered with moss. Many human visitors should consider the possibilities. Rocks, brush, trees, meadows all living side-by-side. Pan back a bit to include sky and water and you've got it all. Including that bear. Uh, time to move on. Olallie Lake is Number 2 on this trail. We've reached 3,780 ft. More, actually, since this shot was taken from the crown of a tree. Now we're at lake level. These logs are fraternizing around the mouth of Olallie Creek, an inlet waterway that is just as picturesque (stay tuned). Logs go left, logs go right. And the water is clean, as you can see. Or not see. You can walk the log gathering with a little caution and vigilence. OK, a lot of caution and vigilence. And a small, light camera.
moss 3 contrasts Olallie 1 Olallie 2 Olallie 3 log jam
           
Your patience is rewarded. Another example of landscape layering. This is the slope above Pratt Lake. Pratt Lake comes into view after 1-1/3 miles of densely wooded switchbacks. And well worth the wait. Olallie has logs, Pratt has rocks. And the water is just as clear. See what I mean? Uh, don't see what... Never mind. The only sign of wildlife larger than a chipmunk the entire trip. These are fresh cougar tracks on the shore of Pratt. Fortunately, not too fresh.
Olallie Creek incline Pratt 1 Pratt 2 Pratt 3 Pratt 4
           
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Alpine Lakes Hike

All photos © 2003 by Gerald Sitser