Granite Mountain, Granite Mountain - Winter — Sunday, Dec. 30, 2007

Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass

I had thought that a 9:00 start was late enough to let somebody get ahead and break trail, but no such luck, not one other car at the trail head this morning! About an inch of powder softening the well beat in trail up to the Granite junction, then 2-3 inches after that. One or two switchbacks below the first gully crossing I put on my snowshoes and headed straight up thru the forest on the winter route. Slightly granular dry powder from the start, mid-shin to knee deep (on 'shoes!) with the occasional deeper drift. With the current avalanche conditions forecast in mind, I snaked from tree to tree as best I could. There definitely is a shear layer down there, but in this particular location there didn't seem to be any cohesive slabs forming yet. As usual for this route, by the time I reached the last 3 little trees, the wind had cleared the fresh snow out and I was on mostly firm crust, with bear grass stalks and exposed rocks in view ahead. I kept my 'shoes on for the crampon effect, but boots would work fine. Some patches are approaching ""crampons wanted"" condition, but it's not quite that hard as yet. Beautiful rime ice formations on all the rocks and on vegetation large and small. I used the ""classic"" route - straight up the ridge crest on the steep section, then switching to the left side of the upper ridge at the ""break"", with no problems. The summit cornice is forming up nicely - I'd say it's even with the deck of the lookout already. Clear blue sky and sunshine - what could be better for December 31st ! As I descended I met the only other person on Granite today as he was nearing the summit.