Granite Mountain - Winter, West Granite Mountain — Tuesday, Mar. 21, 2023

(Update: a very dangerous hole has been opening up along the ridge traverse from Granite to West Granite; see https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/trip-reports/trip_report.2023-03-29.6257883563 and https://www.nwhikers.net/forums/viewtopic.php?p=1248419)

Beautiful day for the winter route on Granite, which leaves the main trail at about 3500' and heads fairly directly and steeply to the summit, staying west of the first avalanche chute and gaining the windswept south ridge. Snow was soft enough that I just used boots on the trail, switching to snowshoes when I left it. They gripped well enough even on the icy ridge, although if I descended that way, I probably would have worn crampons for a while. However, I didn't descend that way, instead heading northwest to visit West Granite. Note the large cornices along the connecting ridge. The view into the heart of the central Cascades was even better from West Granite, since the clouds had parted.  From there I went south to that other little bump, and then west (steep at first but very soft snow) to the Pratt trail, which was stomped out but not icy enough need spikes. Great hike for the first day of spring, about 8 miles and 4000' gain.