Granite Creek Trail to Granite Lakes — Thursday, Sep. 4, 2025

I was certainly shocked to pull into the parking lot at 10 a.m. to find it... absolutely empty.  I was the first car there.  There was a car parked at the alternate trailhead just past Mailbox.  I passed the apparent occupants of that car on the trail just before the bridge over Granite Creek.  I guess no one else was dumb enough to try hiking here on this humid, smoky day.  

The trail is in good condition the whole way.  If bringing a dog, there is no water until the bridge over Granite Creek.  After that, though, it is plentiful.  You cross a creek approximately every 5 minutes.  The lakes aren't stunning, but are pleasant.  The upper lake has lots of nice sitting rocks near the outlet.  The lower lake is hard to find and not as scenic anyway.  

Berries: mostly thimbleberries, and mostly gone.

Flowers: mostly Pearly Everlasting, but at least it's a flower.

Fall foliage:  it's getting started.  Makes this rather monotonous hike more pretty.