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Preacher Mountain


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Preacher Mountain

Preacher Mountain is a snowshoe or scramble of 11 miles with 5,000 feet of gain in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Typically approached from the Middle Fork Trailhead and Rainy Lake, it can also be approached the Snow Lake Trail and Wildcat Lakes. Traveling only to Rainy Lake makes for an basic-level and shorter snowshoe trip, and in winter Preacher Mountain is an intermediate-level snowshoe trip.

Getting There

From Exit 34 on I-90, drive north on 468th Ave SE and then turn right onto SE Middle Fork Rd. It becomes Forest Road 56. Continue on Forest Road 56 to the Middle Fork Trailhead.

Scramble Route

Preacher Mountain

11.0 miles round trip, 5,000 feet of elevation gain
difficulty: Strenuous 5, Technical 4

From the Middle Fork Trailhead parking lot, cross the bridge and turn right (west) onto the Pratt Connector Trail. Follow the trail until its junction with the unofficial Rainy Creek Trail. Hike the trail to Rainy Lake (3,800 ft), and then head east up the ridge in a clockwise fashion up to a tarn at 5,200 ft. Travel south and  gain a ridge that leads to a saddle at 5,800 ft with views of the entire Middle Fork. From here it is a short ridge walk south to the summit.

Snowshoe & Winter scramble Routes

Rainy lake (3,800 ft)

8.0 miles round trip, 3,000 feet of elevation gain
difficulty: Basic Snowshoe

From the Middle Fork Trailhead parking lot, cross the bridge and turn right (west) onto the Pratt Connector Trail. Follow the trail until its junction with the unofficial Rainy Creek Trail. Follow the trail to Rainy Lake (3,800 ft).

Preacher Mountain ( ft)

11.0 miles round trip, 5,000 feet of elevation gain
difficulty: Intermediate Snowshoe or winter scramble depending on conditions

From here, head east up the ridge in a clockwise fashion up to a tarn at 5,200 ft. Travel south and  gain a ridge that leads to a saddle at 5,800 ft with views of the entire Middle Fork. From here it is a short ridge walk south to the summit.

Information FOr leaders

Permits

As of 2017, the Snoqualmie Ranger District considers Mountaineers trips and courses to be "nominal use". Leaders should print and copy this designation letter to show rangers they may see on trail or carry a digital copy on their phone.

  • Suitable Activities: Scrambling, Snowshoeing
  • Snowshoeing Category: Basic
  • Seasons: Year-round
  • Weather: View weather forecast
  • Difficulty: Strenuous 5, Technical 4, Winter Scramble
  • Length: 11.0 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 5,000 ft
  • 5,924 ft
Map
  • Green Trails Middle Fork Snoqualmie No. 174SX
  • USGS Lake Phillipa
  • Green Trails Bandera No. 206
Activities
Trip Reports
Titles

This is a list of titles that represent the variations of trips you can take at this route/place. This includes side trips, extensions and peak combinations. Not seeing a title that fits your trip? Log in and send us updates, images, or resources.

  • Rainy Lake
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