Granite Mountain
Last modified
Oct 23, 2009 12:44 PM
Contributors:
hiker GuRl, Big Pants Trekkers
One look at the parking lot midday on any summer weekend, and the obvious will jump out and bite you: the Granite Mountain Trail is the most heavily traveled summit path in the Snoqualmie Pass corridor. Of course, there is a good reason for that: it's spectacular. But it's also steep. Mind numbingly, thigh-burning steep. You'll climb a heel-blistering 3800 feet in 4.3 miles to an old fire lookout at the 5600-foot summit, with awesome views in all directions. Pack plenty of water, as there is no good source along the trail. Recent Trip Reports
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Day hike
Issues:
Water on trail | Snow on trail
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Decided (like many others) to get in one more hike of Granite before the avalanche risk makes it unavailable.
There's a...
Decided (like many others) to get in one more hike of Granite before the avalanche risk makes it unavailable.
There's a lot of water and mud on the trail in the first few hundred yards, but that's the worst of the trip (at least until near the top). Some trees still had colorful leaves, and with the sunlight intermittently streaming through the fog/low clouds it was very pretty. There was no snow on the trail for most of the route up, at most a dusting until the trail gets above 4500'. At the summit it's a couple inches deep on the level. By the time I got down, the cars were parked along the road almost to where it straightens out to the main road. Day hike
Features:
Fall foliage
Issues:
Water on trail | Snow on trail
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Started at the parking lot at 0900. You can see dusting of snow at the top of the mountain....
Started at the parking lot at 0900. You can see dusting of snow at the top of the mountain. There is an inch or two of snow beyond the meadow at the top. The trail became more slippery and muddy.
Overall, it's still a beautiful day hike. Day hike
Features:
Fall foliage
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I was looking for a good day hike with a solid elevation gain, fall colors, serenity, and I didn't mind...
I was looking for a good day hike with a solid elevation gain, fall colors, serenity, and I didn't mind the threat of rain and a little cold. Meet Granite Mountain in mid-October.
I started out at about 11 a.m. with the threat of rain scheduled around 1:30 or 2. I intended get an earlier start but set my alarm on the M-F setting which, by the way, does not work on a Saturday. I came prepared and didn't mind the weather keeping what I have heard is a busy trail less populated. I hit the peak at 1:25 and was back at my car by 3:30. I was moving pretty quickly on the way up but did take a sizable detour to check out a boulder field. I jogged about 30% of the way down. I saw a dozen people or so on the way up and down. When a steady downpour started as I was hitting the summit, I appreciated the company for safety. This trail is already a quad and knee ripper on the descent, and I can assure the rain does not make it any easier. But, I wanted a good leg burner and am still feeling the remnants 4 days later. If you take it slow, it's definitely doable for hikers at almost any level. Some good fall colors and a lot of evergreens, great views, and easy to access. The comment about hearing I-90 on the trail is true most of the way, but it blends in with the other ambient sounds and fades completely as you get close to the summit. Great hike. Day hike
Features:
Fall foliage | Ripe berries
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With rain in the forecast for next week and probably the next 6 or 7 months, about 50 people were...
With rain in the forecast for next week and probably the next 6 or 7 months, about 50 people were on Granite Mountain today (Friday). We had great hiking weather -- sunny most of the time, though only occasionally at the lookout (at least at midday). There's some snow alongside the trail but none on the trail. More important, there are lots of huckleberries alongside the trail, and don't be deterred by their shrivelled appearance, which just intensifies their flavor.
Day hike
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A great day to hike Granite Mt. Fall color and cooler temperatures made it a nice excusion to the...
A great day to hike Granite Mt. Fall color and cooler temperatures made it a nice excusion to the lookout.
The traces of new snow highlighted the boulders and outlined the trail on the north side of the peak following the summer trail. Looks like things were redone since I was last up there in July - trail has been resurfaced with granite shards and steps and rerouted in a few placed and old tread covered over. The shutters have not yet been dropped for Winter but that will come soon I suspect. It was pleasant as long as the wispy clouds did not block the sun and while Eastern Wa was experiencing a severe dust storm winds aloft on Granite were not more than a breeze. Others apparently agreed with my assessment of the suitability of this hike in Fall. There were a lot of people heading up. Enjoy the weather and the colors. Get out and hike......... |
Driving Directions
From Seattle drive east on I-90 to exit 47 (Asahel Curtis/Denny Creek). Turn north over the freeway, turn left at the T, and drive to the nearby Pratt Lake-Granite Mountain parking area. |
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