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Pratt River, Mount Defiance, Granite Lakes loop

This was a silly, long loop to Mount Defiance starting and ending at the Middle Fork Snoqualmie trail head.

From the trail head I took the connector trail to the Pratt River Trail and followed the Pratt River Trail to its end. This trail does not have much to recommend it. At the end of the Pratt River Trail I was unable to follow the trail that goes from the Pratt River Trail up to Pratt Lake, so I just went east cross-country to the Kaleetan Lake trail. The cross-country section was only 30-40 minutes and not too brushy.

When I got to the Kaleetan Lake trail, I followed the trail network to Lower Tuscohatchie Lake, Pratt Lake, Rainbow Lake, and finally to the summit of Mount Defiance. My object was really just the silly loop, not Defiance, but I figured I'd throw it in since I was so close.

From Defiance I followed the trail through some very pretty meadow land (where I saw a bear cub) to Thompson Lake. From there I headed to the Granite Lake Road-Trail. At the north ridge of Mailbox, I took the connector short-cut trail that leads to the Middle Fork Road.

I had hoped to hitch a ride up the Middle Fork Road, but it was dark by the time I got to the road and the only truck that went in my direction ignored me and my raised thumb. A few miles later I walked past the truck with the driver in the back smoking. I said "hi" as I walked past but he ignored me.

After hiking 5+ miles of the Middle Fork Road in the rain and in the dark, I was very happy to finally return to my car and a thermos full of hot chocolate.

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Image of
Date: 2010/09/17
Trip type: hike
Elevation gain: approx. 5,339 feet
Round-trip distance: approx. 28 miles
USGS quad: Bandera
In areas: Alpine Lakes Wilderness, South Fork Snoqualmie Drainage, Middle Fork Snoqualmie Drainage
Car-to-car time: 14 hours 46 minutes
  • 1 hour 14 minutes driving there from Lower Queen Anne to Middle Fork trail head
  • 9 hours 4 minutes hiking from Middle Fork trail head to Mount Defiance
  • 3 hours 55 minutes hiking from Mount Defiance to Middle Fork Road (near big bridge)
  • 1 hour 47 minutes hiking from Middle Fork Road (near big bridge) to Middle Fork trail head
Middle Mountain
Image of Middle Mountain
Sometimes the Pratt River trail looked like a road
Image of Sometimes the Pratt River trail looked like a road
Sometimes the Pratt River trail looked like a trail
Image of Sometimes the Pratt River trail looked like a trail
Sometimes the Pratt River trail looked like a wall of brush
Image of Sometimes the Pratt River trail looked like a wall of brush
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Sometimes I was glad to see trash because it reassured me I was still on the trail
Image of Sometimes I was glad to see trash because it reassured me I was still on the trail
Eventually I left the Pratt River trail and went cross-country
Image of Eventually I left the Pratt River trail and went cross-country
Pine tree on the trail near the Olallie/Pratt pass, unusual for the area
Image of Pine tree on the trail near the Olallie/Pratt pass, unusual for the area
In the lake basin between Defiance, Bandera, and Pratt
Image of In the lake basin between Defiance, Bandera, and Pratt
Rainbow Lake
Image of Rainbow Lake
Putrid Pete's Peak and Web Mountain
Image of Putrid Pete's Peak and Web Mountain
Bandera Mountain from the Mount Defiance trail
Image of Bandera Mountain from the Mount Defiance trail
On the summit of Defiance
Image of On the summit of Defiance
Thompson Lake
Image of Thompson Lake
Shoulder of Web Mountain through the rain
Image of Shoulder of Web Mountain through the rain
A long, rainy road walk ahead back to the Middle Fork trail head
Image of A long, rainy road walk ahead back to the Middle Fork trail head
After walking roads for hours in the dark and rain, I was very happy to see my car
Image of After walking roads for hours in the dark and rain, I was very happy to see my car
Copyright © 2010 Gabriel Deal.