Kaleetan Lake

Easily reachable from I-90, the Alpine Lakes Wilderness is welcomes hikers at all levels of intensity and experience. The Windy Lake/Kaleetan Lake hike may start out in crowded parking lots with droves of people, but with a measure of perseverance, you can achieve relative solitude even this close to the freeway.

First, hike to Lower Tuscohatchie Lake. There are multiple approaches, which will affect the total mileage to Kaleetan. You can get to Lower Tuscohatchie easily from Pratt Lake - either from the Pratt Lake or the Talapus Lake trailheads - or from the Denny Creek trailhead (turn west before Melakwa Lake).

No matter how you reach Lower Tuscohatchie Lake, FS Trail #1010 branches from the main trail near the northernmost point of Lower Tuscohatchie. Follow the trail briefly uphill, then descend about 250 feet to the upper reaches of the Pratt River, as it tunnels through the trees. Crossing the Pratt River on stones can be hazardous unless the water is low, later in the season. After the crossing, the trail becomes less well maintained, steep, and isolated.

The trail climbs about 1200 feet as it winds up the slope of the Pratt River valley, ascending through some old growth trees. You may encounter small detours due to downed trees or a washed-out trail, but the trail remains quite passable all the way to its end.

At about 4300 feet, the trail rounds the west end of the ridge and bends back eastward toward Windy Lake. There are three or four campsites at the west end of the lake, which has a high shore with a picturesque view. Huckleberries abound here in the late season.

One more mile of trail, and a descent of 300 feet, bring you to Kaleetan Lake. The outlet (western) end of the lake is a bit marshy, but there are one or two good campsites. Kaleetan Peak stands directly at the opposite end of the lake, a view worth the price of admission, paid in sweat and sore feet. You might encounter a few other backpackers on the weekend, but you might also have the whole basin to yourself, even in August.