Granite Mountain, Granite Mountain - Winter — Friday, Dec. 17, 2004

Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass

Can't not take advantage of a day like this. Although I think it turned out better than the weatherman let on yesterday. And we were not the only ones who had the same idea. We saw the fog up toward the pass but the west side was sunny and very nice. The woods were pleasant and there is no snow until past the junction and a bit shy of the avalanche gully where it gets to be pretty persistent the rest of the way up. Others had packed the trail but not so that the footing was glacial. The pond area is pretty well snowed over except for a bit of open water in a narrow aspect. We took the ridge instead of the summer trail. There were some interesting holes but it worked quite nicely. NO WIND. Actually, it was Spring slush up there. It was actually hot and there were some folks with shorts and one guy was shirtless. Some skiers, on skis passed us on their way down but the rocks would have been a bit too interesting, frankly. A bit of time at the top and then back down. The last mile back to the trailhead was frigid - we could tell the cold air was draining off the pass and under all that fog. Poles or ice axe made the going much easier and gaiters made for a dry ascent and descent. Great day but the snow gods have got to get working soon. Snoqualmie Pass is under that downy blanket of fog. The shuttered lookout.