Beautiful, sunny Thursday- and getting in shape was the goal. We headed to Granite Mountain to take it all in and get a good kick-start in our training. The trail is in great shape- no blow downs or washouts. Only a few small manageable snow patches until about the last 1200 feet to the summit- which are all snow. Oddly enough, the weather was warm- but the postholing was minimal- only two ""fall-throughs"". Use caution on the ridges as the cornices are really large and getting to close to the edge could prove hazardous. The lookout tower is all locked up for the season- but is begging to be used with the stunning views of Rainier and the greater Snoqualmie Pass area. We sat on the rocks and enjoyed our lunch as the ""fresh from hibernation"" pike protested our presence. It was a glorious day, full of great treats for the senses- smells of warms pine, sounds of rushing run-off, and the feel of the sun on our backs! We'll be back soon!

Finally got out to do the first real hike of the season. The mountain was full of people, and dogs, and the weather could not have been better. We took the first gully up so as to take advantage of the snow that remains. It is getting very thin so hurry up if you might enjoy a 2000' glissade. The trail is in remarkable condition with no blowdowns and little snow before the avalanche gully. Gaiters and poles are helpful higher up.

Sunday morning the 5th. Off to a spring hike to clear the head and loosen the limbs. There were but 2 other cars at the trailhead at 8 a.m. The trail was snow-clear til the first gulley at 3,600 feet. Our favorite way up Granite is the direct route up the snow along the side of the gulley. It was firm – enough so that we used crampons til the snow softened - and almost continuous to the top, but for a short stretch of grass in the gulley and optional rocks on the final ridge. By the time of descent the snow was soft enough for easy step-sliding. Which lead to occasional hip-deep plunges. In summary: conditions are near ideal. Bring poles, consider an ice axe, and keep your snowshoes at home.

It was an ABSOLUTELY wonderful day at the lookout (speaking of which, someone seems to have broken the lid off the ammo box (summit register storage container) and there was a frozen mass and ice in the box)) The trail makes it pretty much to the Wilderness Boundary sign and beyond without much hint of snow. After that some patchy stuff and then.... It was a slushy slog up the ridge. Stayed out of the avalanche gully but it was probably safe and stayed just to its left wandering up through soft snow through and around trees till it opens up. Someone else kicked steps. It may have been the skiers who we met pretty much down close to the trailhead. They apparently were on the trail before 6:30am. We probably started up between 9 and 9:30am The snow was steep and sloppy. Finally, at about 4,900 feet we crossed the rock ridge to the western slope below the lookout. Much firmer snow and almost a direct line up to the lookout. About 6 of us shared the snow and exposed rocks at the lookout. It was really quite wonderful up there. No wind which had been blowing for a while on the climb. The clouds cleared off and we lounged up there about 45 minutes. Did a bunch of glissading on our up route and then slogged through even slushier snow and post holed and slid on the exposed bear grass and other vegetation. The up-steps such as they were were pretty much obliterated by all of the downhill hikers. The snow really is disappearing fast. I've been there in May with more snow in all exposures. All in all - GREAT TRIP but pretty darn tiring..... Photo 1 - up just left of the avalanche gully. Photo 2 - the lookout and rainier

Finally got the chance to hike another 'elevation burner' with Laura, as she conditions herself for the Bolivian climbs this Spring. This time we chose Granite Mountain. The day is drizzly, but the forest canopy deflects most of it until we reach the avalanche gully at 2 miles. After slogging through hip-deep snow we decide to put on the snowshoes and head directly up the the west ridge. The snow slopes are steep, and it is a difficult choice deciding whether to say on the spindrift-covered rocks or kick steps on hard snow. Visibility is poor, and the wind is relentless and cold. We break trail the last half mile until we see the grey box of the lookout tower, laced with rime ice, and perched near a cornice of snow. No views to speak of; I feel as if I am in a swirling cloud of snow. The ascent took a little over 2 hours, gaining 3800' in elevation. Such feats will make Laura looking buff by summer. Decending was just as tiring, due to the qulaity of the snow and the very steep descent. As one reaches the edge of the forest, the snow in the gulley is soft, with a lot of air pockets--snowshoes help only marginally at best. Laura postholes down on her own until we reach the trail emerging from the forest. Met up with a lot of day hikers who seem satisfied that the walk in the forest is sufficient enough for them to enjoy the last days of winter in the Cascades.