Granite Mountain

This is a beautiful area to hike considering that it's only 35 minutes from Bellevue. The trail is snow free until the last 1/2 mile which is more than 50% covered with soft snow(easy to punch through in places). We elected to take the snow free ridge just south of the main trail. Lots of Beargrass flowering in the meadows. There is a great stopping point just before reaching the boulder field that leads to the summit. Views here are almost as good as the top and the surroundings are much nicer. A few flys and mosquitos but I didn't even notice them after applying bug juice. The weather was a perfect 70 degrees at the top. We probably saw 20 people all day (Thursday). Weekends are usually a bit too crowded.