Preacher Mountain

From so many vantage points in the western Alpine Lakes area, hikers often ask what peak is that....it is Preacher Mountain. Preacher is an often forgotten high mountain situated in a prime spot in the Middle Fork Snoqualmie between the valley, and the numerous other peaks easier accessed from Snoqualmie Pass. With the Pratt River Trail having been refurbished and connected from the Middle Fork bridge, Preacher Mountain and the old abandoned trail to Rainy Lake are bound to become more popular. Until a trail is built to the summit from Rainy Lake, it makes for a good days scramble.

Home

Access:

From I-90 take North Bend Exit 34. Turn left at the Stop. In 0.6 mile turn right onto SE Middle Fork Road. Drive 12 miles to the Middle Ford trail head, and turn right into the parking lot.

Washington Hiking

Distance: 6 miles
Summit Elevation: 5,924 feet
Elevation Gain: 5,200 feet
Access: Good Gravel Road

Trail Route to Rainy Lake:

Follow the trail as it quickly crosses the Snoqualmie River. Turn right on to the Pratt River Trail. Follow it an easy 0.6 miles. After the bridge crossing of Rainy Creek, turn left onto the Rainy Lake trail. This trail is somewhat maintained. Follow it several miles to Rainy Lake at 3,800 feet. In spring, snow below the lake will make finding it difficult without a GPS.

Route:

From the lake outlet, climb up the east-west ridge which slowly turns south and fades into the hillside. Follow the map working to the small lake in an open bowl at 5,200 feet. Continue south on the west side of the lake working to gain the ridge visible in front. It is steep from the bowl side but can be traversed around on the north to find easier slopes to gain the ridge. Follow it up to the summit ridge where going due south will get you to the top. In summer, some brush and talus is reported of course, and a few cliffs to work around on the ridge above Rainy Lake.

Preacher Mountain from the west

Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Bridge

Pratt River Trail

Rainy Lake Trail

Bridge over Rainy Creek

Russian Butte

Climbing the ridge above the 5,200 tarn

Pratt River Valley

Open meadow and tarn area at 5,200 feet

Open area at 5,200

Summit Ridge

Alpine Lakes Wilderness

Looking down the Pratt River Valley into the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Valley

Looking south to Mt. Rainier

Russian Butte

Lake Caroline & Kaleetan Peak

Former Lookouts

Possible Fire Lookout History:

It is possible the summit was used as an emergency fire lookout. Two images at the bottom of the page show what appears to be wood, wire and batteries. It is likely that a fire finder stand was constructed at the summit. If you have any information or better pictures, please contact me.

Old batteries and wire at the summit

Wood and wire at the summit

Images from Shaddow the Geocacher