Granite Mountain, Granite Mountain - Winter — Thursday, Dec. 23, 1999

Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass

I decided to sneak a quick one in. I left the fog filled city, heading uphill. The wind coming down from the pass blew my pick-em-up truck all over I-90. I like to start hiking before consciousness set in. It was still dark at 700 am. The trees have kept the snow off the ground mostly. Just as I arrived at the chute, the sun popped over Snoqualmie Pass and lit up the mountain. I never get tired of glowing pink mountains. If you have never seen the chute after a slide, you should come by soon. About 500 feet from the top, a good sized slab fracture was evident and the debris was scattered along the bottom third of the hill. The easist walking is up the gulley on debris; however this is not recommended. The snow on the left is solid, but not very deep. Any snow in the shadows would not hold my weight. I went almost to the end of the trees before turning around. (About 4200') The right side has huge bare spots. The winter route is not yet in shape, however avalanche danger is as low as it gets in the morning.