April 08, 2008, Pratt Lake via West Granite

This low elevation snow coverage really helps to make short-cuts through forested approaches.  After 100 yard from the TH, we decided to leave the trail and go x-country.  We reached the East summit without much bushwhacking though we had to break our trail in 4~10' of new soft snow.  Nearing the upper ridge we started hearing snow settlements especially on gentle or flat slopes.  The new snow was fairly heavy but did not seem slabby.

From the North end of the summit ridge, we skied down toward a no-name lake on 1' powder (~1500'), then did a short skin up another ridge looking down Pratt Lake.  A short (~900) but fairly steep open slope brought us straight down to the lake.  The snow was a bit heavier, but very consistent allowing some fast wide turns.

This route presents many tree skiing options in N-NW aspect.  It was nice to visit a summer hiking destination in Winter with different scenery.  We did not see a single human, but a fat grayish rabbit.  A bit tiring tour with 6000' trail breaking.