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Granite Mountain #1016 — Jun. 13, 2002

Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
Bigfootxxl
Beware of: snow conditions
 
To Get to Granite Mtn go east on I-90 to exit 47 then cross over the freeway and turn left into a large parking lot. The trail is in great condition and the first 3.3 miles are snow free but the last mile is all deep snow........have fun

Granite Mountain #1016 — Jun. 1, 2002

Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
Will Daddy
Beware of: snow conditions
 
I usually hike this trail at the end of the season when it's snow free, but I'll definitely add it to my ""spring"" hikes after yesterday. Patchy snow beginning at 3400', goes solid at 3800'. Head straight up the large gulley or continue and take a modified version of the trail. Be advised of cracks trailing the ridge cornice and follow the boot path (unless, of course, it goes straight into a crack). Glissades of 2000' possible from the summit ridge down the main gulley. However, I did trigger small slides as I went, so be careful and don't glissade in groups. Take an ice axe for your descent.

Granite Mountain #1016 — Jun. 1, 2002

Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
Sean & Shari
Beware of: snow conditions
 
We started at 9 AM with a couple friends, Terry and Kathleen, not knowing quite what to expect as to whether the the trail had melted out enough to cross the avalanche gullies. The trail was completely dry crossing the first gully, but the larger second gully (the big one) at about 3,600' was still snow covered. We could see where others had crossed and the snow seemed quite solid, but we elected to go up the side of the gully anyway. It was good practice for kicking steps and Terry is attempting Rainier next weekend (good luck, Terry!). So, it was good training for him, not to mention the 40 pound pack he was carrying! Up and up we went, following the footsteps of others who had taken this route. Unfortunately, whomever made the steps had longer legs than us, so we had to kick some of our own steps in addition to the ones that were there. The views just kept getting better as we ascended and the clouds burned off. We hit the ridge crest at about 5,400' and then turned left and slogged our way up the remaining 200 feet to the lookout Tower. Total ascent time was about 3 hours. By that time, it was pretty much just some lower scattered clouds and we enjoyed great views as we ate lunch. The top of Rainier was clearly visible to the south, as were much of the Cascades to the East and North. After an hour or so, we headed back down. We found out from some others that the main trail was open, so we descended that way, not wanting to descend the steep snow slope. The main summit ridge is still covered in deep snow, so we enjoyed plunge-stepping our way down that, and even got in a nice glissade before picking up the trail. At first, the trail was snow covered in a few places and we had to traverse across the snow in two or three steep places. Watch out for holes as the snow continues to melt over the next few weeks. Other than that, the trail is in pretty good shape. Back down at about 3,600' we crossed the avalanche gully. As we expected, the snow is well consolidated and should be fairly safe, barring any unusual weather. As it melts out, more holes will open up, but it should be manageable. We got down in about 2 hours total. Great hike, great weather, lots of fun!

Granite Mountain #1016 — May. 24, 2002

Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
Sean Sparks
Beware of: snow conditions
 
Ok, encountered snow covering the trail at about 3000ft covering the trail. most people including us cut straight up the mountain via a snow field. the snow at the lower chutes heading up was pretty chewed up but once it opened into the larger face the snow was solid enough to chop step up, for those who don't like walking snow much there is enough open patches that you can minimize your snow walking.

Granite Mountain #1016 — May. 24, 2002

Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
Hal the Computer/2001Space Odyssey
Beware of: snow conditions
 
Trail in good shape through snow level reached jst below first avalanche chute in upper swithbacks. Recent and other current reports are still on target. Trail past first chute is heavily snow covered: best decision is to head due north staying on west side of avalanche basin. There is also a nice broad band of boulders starting about 700' below summit, west of basin, easy to spot, to move into. I led a group of 15 hikers/leaders on scramble west of 2,700' level into tall timber where snow was firmer for kick stepping. Went straight up to middle of bowl mentioned above, then let them glissade down through chute. There is a glissade path coming down from a wys higher, which is tempting, but not recommended unless you're proficient with ice axe. rock outcropings toward bottom are getting exposed and dangerous. Watched a young man go down without ice axe: he looked like a rag doll bounding down out of control going about 50mph. His head got turned around heading downhill, and missed a concealed rock by about 3'. As he headed back up to do it again, I don't believe he even realized how close he had come to a skull fracture. And, its been said life/death can be a matter of inches. For him, it was real close as measured in feet. Cornices at top on NE side of summit above where trail is buried, are still fragile to break off. Overall, great views and day as witnessed by looks on people's faces!!