|
HIKE |
Pratt Mountain |
|
ROUTE |
Up past the lakes, bushwhack, scramble, summit! |
|
DATE |
6/09/2005 |
|
ATTENDEES |
Mark, Larry, Darlene, Don, Joan and Dan |
|
NOTES |
Nice evening! No bugs or rain, good views. |
PHOTOS
TRAIL REPORT
OK, after last week's experiment, back to regular TRs (won't be Hemmingwayesque, either, sorry).
Because we are "strictly" adhering to the posted schedule, this week we visited Pratt Mountain. Much like Mailbox, we had six in attendance, and five vehicles at the trailhead, which is at least three too many. Come on, people - I don't smell that bad, and I have a new air freshener in the car...
...Anyway. The fearless crew: Dan, Darlene, Don, Joan, Larry, and Mark. Much like Mailbox, Dan, Larry and Darlene all showed up "early" and were well on their way up the Talapus Lake trail by the time the rest of us arrived. For instance, Dan started around noon... :D
Going forward, early arrivals are now obliged to bring TNAB-aproved trail treats for everyone. Sorry, Darlene, but chocolate-covered raisins are not on the list.
We were all on trail by 6:00 PM. Conditions were favorable for a fast hike: overcast with temps in the mid-50s, while the trail, being wide and flat for the most part, was only partially muddy. Talapus came and went in a flash, then Olallie appeared. Don and I saw Joan and Darlene following Larry's "blazed" start to the bushwhack, much closer to the Olallie Lake basin than I remember. We moved on to the known quantity, and reached the upper trail by 7:00 PM. Somewhat to my surprise, Joan and Darlene also reached the trail in good time ahead of us - I guess the alternate works!
From here, the hike went very quickly. We were on the talus field by 7:30 PM, and on the ridge by 7:45 PM. We exchanged "Hoo Haws" as everyone gathered on the summit. Don, with map in hand, reported that Pratt Mountain is just under 5100 ft high. Joan treated everyone to yummy homemade lemon squares (thanks, Joan!) as we enjoyed the views, tried to name peaks, and watched as the sun played tag with the clouds. We were joined by a youngish couple that we had encountered earlier on the trail. According to Darlene, they had actually registered at the trailhead! What a strange idea...
All to soon, it was time to head out. Downclimbing the alternate bushwhack was pleasant, though more bush than talus, IMO. The rest of the hike out went smoothly - some of us bothering to don headlamps for the last ten minutes or so. Gotta love these long days! We were back to cars before 10:00 PM. So, yet again like last week, most of us agreed to reconvene at the North Bend Bar & Grill afterwards - they'll know us by name there if we keep this up!
Great hike - wish you were there!
Next Week: Teneriffe the Terrible is scheduled, however, we should have a Plan B hike in case the weather doesn't cooperate - perhaps Bandera? I think it would be nice to get some views off of Tenny for once!
Attention: Summer Solstice Hike 2005 on Granite Mountain is just two weeks away! Buy your tickets now! I hope you all can make it - should be good!
As Always - R&R!
-Mark
www.tnab.net