Getting there: Drive to exit 47 off of I-90, and follow the signs. The Trail: I had to be in class by 1:30 so I got up early (6:45 am), my earliest start ever and was on the trail by 8:00. The route begins on trail but in about a quarter of a mile snow begins to show up. From here it was easy to follow footprints, for perhaps another mile or so when the trail breaks out into the open. Well the open is now 2' of powder so I stayed to the left and went up the forested southwest ridge (mainly south). There was at least a good foot of new powder and going was tough breaking trail (without snowshoes). Visibility was almost nil at times making for some disconcerting walking at times, but you just need to keep heading up and hoping for the best! At about the point where the ridge begin to swing to your right the soft powder turned a bit icier which made for easier walking (tops of some rocks and shrubs are snowfree). As I neared the summit, staying on the west side of the ridge, the snow was piled into some huge deep drifts (no cornices). Eventually I got to a point where I should have been able to see the lookout tower but I couldn't see anything, finall by chance I sort of ran into it! The day was almost windless (hence the fog) and I imagined the endless views in all directions (which there weren't). After spending a little while under the lookout it was time for the slow descent (no chance glissading in this stuff!). I arrived back at the car before 11:30 with two more hours still before I had to be in class, nice! See ya on the trail, everyones favorite Siamese, Pilar! PS A special ""how are things going'"" to ""Wally Bear"". Send me a line, and maybe we can run up Teneriffe sometime soon! (redoubt@u.washington.edu)

What does a wilderness ranger do when he's not working the woods' Go hiking, of course! Won't even leave my own district, either. The trail is in good condition. There are only a few muddy spots and a few small snow patches to cross on the north side of the mountain. No windfalls were encountered. The unmaintained track to Crystal Lake is overgrown and muddy in places. Crystal Lake has snow around the shoreline and there is a patch of ice on the surface. Dehydration is definitely a threat. The trail is steep and offers nearly no shade above 3500 feet. If it is hot, expect to need four quarts of water or more. There are few reliable sources of water. The streamlets that occupy the snow chutes are dry. The pondlets at the three mile point of the trail are drying up as well. Treat any water you do find. There are lots of wildflowers along the trail - beargrass, heather and thistle to name a few. There weren't many bugs due to a rather steady breeze most of the time. But when the air stagnates, look out! There were broken to overcast clouds. It was cool and breezy at times. There are numerous flat spots off the trail up Granite Mountain where one can camp, but no water. The one site at Crystal Lake is dry. Avoid camping in meadows - the growing season is very short in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. The view is great from the top of Granite. Kaleetan, Chair and Bryant Peaks are readily identifiable. There are good views of Crystal and Tuscohatchie Lakes from the trail.

The trail is in great shape - took us 2 hours to ascend.The bugs were bad in the middle part of the climb, but above 4100 feet soon disappeared. There are a couple of snow patches to cross near the top. Great views from the summit on a hot, clear day. WARNING: If you are planning overnight trips into the surrounding area, you should not leave your vehicle at this trailhead. Upon arrival at the trailhead Sunday, we counted 5 smashed car windows. Even worse, a truck had been broken into, jacked up on milk crates, and all 4 tires taken! We found out later that the gas line had been cut as well and the gas siphoned out. Even on day trips, don't leave any valuables in the car - I have heard that some of these thieves have posed as hikers.