Pratt Lake 2009-12-19

Tail head to Pratt Lake was plowed, and we took advantage of it.  It is always a treat to be able to drive to the trail head and park at the parking lot.  Usually in the middle of the winter, I have to park way far from the trailhead.  Snowshoeing from the free way to the trailhead is itself a workout. 

There are many creek crossings on Pratt Lake trail.  One of the creeks is all frozen.  I had to put on Yaktrax. 

Be careful. 

Snowy creek crossing.  Audrey is having a sip of ice water.

Olallie Lake, looking down from the Pratt Lake trail.  We save it for others because it's a popular shorter easier hike. 

Princess Audrey

We are at the fork.  You can go straight to the ridge and then to the Island/Rainbow Lakes (they are a couple of little dinky mosquito ponds) or go right down to the Pratt Lake.  Can you see the signs?  On the left is the sign for the Island/Rainbow Lakes.   On the right is for Pratt Lake.  There was no foot/shoe prints on the way down.  And I didn't have snow shoes.  So we decided to go straight. 

At the Ridge:  we decided to take lunch.  Again there was no foot/shoe prints beyond this point.  I sank  2-3 feet every other step and slipped on every other step.  Next hike, I'll be sure to pack snow shoes. 

Snow is soft and wet and deep.  It was hard to maneuver.

Sly looking all cute and handsome. 

Audrey, the Princess of the Mountain.

Blue dripping melted snow.

Trio at the Ridge

It's an old man's country.  Can you see his beard? 

Usnea barbata (old man's beard) is a tree lichen.  It grows on tree branches in wet wooded areas.  I also see them grow on tree trunks.  They are used for their antimicrobial and immune stimulating properties.  I have made tincture from the one I harvested on the trail from Melakwa Lake to Lake Tuscohatchie.  It requires high alcohol menstruum.  Before you use it, be sure to consult your naturopathic doctor. 

We hiked on Saturday, December 19th.  The weather was forecasted to be mostly dry with rain in the evening.  But it turned out to be drizzly all day.  I don't think dogs noticed the drizzle at all.