Alpine Lakes Wilderness #22 - Pratt Lake and the Music of Running Water

This morning's destination was Pratt Lake, my 22nd hike from Alpine Lakes Wilderness: The Complete Hiking Guide. One of the quiet satisfactions of this project is watching the number slowly grow. Twenty-two hikes down, plenty more waiting beyond the next trailhead.

I arrived early enough to enjoy one of the great luxuries of hiking in the Cascades: silence. The trail was relatively quiet, with only the occasional passing hiker. For much of the morning, the soundtrack was provided by the countless streams and cascades that accompany the trail. The steady sound of running water never seems repetitive. Instead, it settles the mind and makes the miles pass almost unnoticed.

The trail itself covers about 12 miles round trip, and I averaged 22:16 per mile, a pace that felt comfortable while still leaving plenty of time to stop and appreciate what was around me. Summer hiking isn't always about pushing for a faster time. Sometimes it's about noticing the small moments that would otherwise slip by.

The highlight of the morning came among the talus slopes, where several pikas darted among the rocks. Their sharp, high-pitched squeaks echoed across the boulders as they disappeared into tiny crevices, only to reappear moments later. They're energetic, curious, and somehow always seem to look as though they're in the middle of an important task. Watching them go about their busy morning was easily the best part of the hike.

Pratt Lake itself is a peaceful destination tucked beneath the surrounding ridges. After spending a little time by the water, I began the return trip, once again accompanied by the constant murmur of creeks flowing downhill toward the valley.

As has become almost predictable on summer weekends, the solitude didn't last for everyone. When I returned to the trailhead around 10:30 a.m., the parking lot was overflowing. Cars lined the road, and late arrivals were beginning their hikes just as I was heading home.

It's a reminder that an early alarm clock is often the price of finding a little solitude in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. For a few hours this morning, though, it was worth every minute.

If You Go

• Trail: Pratt Lake Trail

• Round Trip Distance: Approximately 12 miles

• My Pace: 22:16 minutes per mile

• Best Time to Start: Before 6:30 a.m. for quieter trails and easier parking

• Highlights: Forest streams, numerous waterfalls, Pratt Lake, and the resident pikas among the talus slopes

• Tip: Even on busy summer weekends, an early start transforms this into a peaceful hike. By mid-morning, parking is often full and the trail becomes much busier.