Length
Elevation Gain
Highest Point
Granite Mountain’s trailhead is a large grassy pullout on a remote forest service road, a perfect place to car camp the night before your hike. Initially, the trail is double-track winding through flowery forest. Quickly, this trail enters the patchwork burn on the 2006 Tripod Fire.
On the whole, this trail is moderate in steepness. It switches from burn to green and back again. A creek here and there, lots of wildflowers in season. After a thousand feet plus of gain, a saddle between Little Granite and Granite is reached.
The grade eases off a bit here where it sidehills up to 5,700 feet and a second pass. Of no real relevance, this is the boundary between the Tonasket Ranger District and the Methow Ranger District.
From this second pass to the summit is a 1,500-foot gain. This stretch is initially brushy but mostly heavily burnt. Steep switchbacks wind through granite domes and bulges repeatedly. Enjoy the flowers and stop every now and then to enjoy the views.
When the summit ridge is gained, there is a profusion of rock piles and mini-towers. Snow remains here until mid-June and the trail to the former fire lookout location can be difficult to follow. Make up your own adventure and wander about the plateau-like summit. Balanced rocks and scrambly towers await for you to admire. Be sure to track yourself, as one could actually get lost up there.
Trailhead
