Granite Mountain — Sunday, Apr. 4, 2004

Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass

Sunday morning the 5th. Off to a spring hike to clear the head and loosen the limbs. There were but 2 other cars at the trailhead at 8 a.m. The trail was snow-clear til the first gulley at 3,600 feet. Our favorite way up Granite is the direct route up the snow along the side of the gulley. It was firm – enough so that we used crampons til the snow softened - and almost continuous to the top, but for a short stretch of grass in the gulley and optional rocks on the final ridge. By the time of descent the snow was soft enough for easy step-sliding. Which lead to occasional hip-deep plunges. In summary: conditions are near ideal. Bring poles, consider an ice axe, and keep your snowshoes at home.