If you have the extra time and energy, a sidetrip to the lookout-adorned summit of Granite Mountain is well worth the effort. The higher elevation provides snowshoeing and mountain climbing in winter months. Sat, Jun 15, 2019, 8:00 AM: Let's hike Granite mountain! Granite Mountain — Washington Trails Association. Big Four Inn wreckage after fire, September 1949. Granite Mountain has an elevation of 5,633 feet. We'll also work on tidying up the trail by repairing any winter damage as well as cutting back brush and improving drainage. Mount Pilchuck has geological significance as being a mountain of shale rock. Granite School District has a nationally recognized preschool program. Linna wanted to complete another fall color hike before the season was over and from the WTA trip reports, Granite Mountain was reaching full peak. In-your-face views of Mt. The astounding views from the summit of the Granite Mountain trail come at a price. But views of pointed Kaleetan Peak, deep blue Crystal Lake, the climber-dotted Tooth, and Mount Rainier dominating the skyline to the south make it all worth it. There are several scramble routes up West Granite, leaving from the Granite Mountain trailhead or from the Talapus Lake trailhead. I did not reach the end, but I swear I will be back to finish! Granite Mountain is a poster child for avalanche risk. Granite Mountain Hike, September 2018. The loop around Mother Mountain is not an easy hike. Overview of Granite Mountain via WTA.org; Get turn-by-turn driving directions to the trailhead via Google Maps; Bring plenty of water. A nearly-1000-feet-of-elevation-gain-per-mile price. Go Hiking. Granite Preschool. The Mountain Loop Highway starts at the eastern end of SR 92 in Downtown Granite Falls.Within Downtown Granite Falls, SR 92 is called E Stanley Street and the Mountain Loop Highway is known called N Alder Street. If you want to check this trail out, take I-90 from Seattle to exit 47 and park at the Pratt Lake lot. A local favorite that's not too far from Seattle. The trail is primarily used for hiking, nature trips, and snowshoeing and is best used from April until October. I have only hiked Granite Mountain one time but I do plan on hiking it again. Physical Science. It was an incredible hike in the cascades. Mountain Loop Hwy near Granite Falls. We hiked to the top of Granite Mountain on 4/23/14 and it was an amazing experience. Granite Lakes Trail is a 10.3 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near North Bend, Washington that features a lake and is rated as moderate. The highway goes north away from Granite Falls and turns east at the point where the road meets the South Fork of the Stillaguamish River. Big Four picnic area, with fireplace of old Big Four Inn, Mountain Loop Highway, Snohomish County. Granite Mountain A bear was spotted in the basin east just below granite on July 10th and a lost dog on July 9th, so those with dogs, please for their own protection, please keep leashed. Start out on the Pratt Lake Trails and take the Granite Mountain Trail (right fork) in 1.3 miles (2,600 ft). Be advised that this is a steep and demanding trail. Granite Mountain. Education. I recommend running the loop counterclockwise. Even so, walking 3000 feet down a steep, rocky mountain was not fun for my feet. You’ll want at least two liters or more. Continue on the trail to the look out on the summit. It has a magnificent view. Saved from wta.org. Granite Mountain Tips & Hiking Resources. WTA Pro Tip: The Granite Mountain Lookout can accommodate a relatively small number of people. It’s a tough 9.2 miles round trip, lots of huge boulders to climb. Like the Enchantments, without the permit requirement... yet. Granite Mountain is one of the tallest peaks in the 90 corridor. Lower part goes through forest, … Science. It's pretty tough, although children and dogs were doing it just fine. Great hike. Practice the seven Leave No Trace principles. It might be too late for blueberries, only because I may have plucked the bushes clean! 16 miles round trip - 3,000 feet of elevation gain, nearly all in the last 4 miles. Hiking With: Yuta Hagi & my dog Macho The amount of snow made the hike very challenging but when you get to the top you know that the effort was worth it. A number of lakes and streams linked by a series of trails provide visitors alpine fishing and hiking. Explore. Can be done as a day hike (a long one) if you get an early start. Aug 12, 2017 - Granite Mountain — Washington Trails Association. During the summer and especially on weekends, Granite Mountain … Granite Mountain Weather Forecast During the summer and especially on weekends, Granite Mountain can have as many as 1. WTA Pro Tip: The Granite Mountain Lookout can accommodate a relatively small number of people. Also bring the 10 essentials. It's 8 miles, 3,800 feet of elevation gain. Mountain goat sightings. This trail needs some log-out, so come try your hand at a cross-cut saw. Go to the WTA website for more information on Granite Mountain. Becoming colder with heavy fall of snow, heaviest during Mon afternoonFreeze-thaw conditions (max 3°C on Sun night, min -8°C on Mon afternoon)Winds decreasing (gales from the SW on Sun night, light winds from the NW by Tue afternoon). Courtesy Granite Falls Historical Museum. Granite Mountain Everyone is at the ""bite"" while the wife and I sink our teeth into Granite! West Granite. West Granite is an unnamed peak 5,566 feet tall and a half mile northwest of Granite Mountain. I did it on a hot day in August so there was no snow. I-90 at exit 47. If coming up the trail blazed through the snow east of the lookout, be careful walking near the rocks. Courtesy Northwest Trails Inc. The stream running through the gorge is the trail. approach & Ascent (scramble) Begin at the Pratt Lake Trailhead. Just a Hiker. I wouldn’t recommend it for anyone who wanted a fun day hike or who isn’t wearing appropriate hiking gear. Gold Basin – Mountain Loop Highway, Granite Falls, WA. Here's my current thinking about avalanche risk: over the next few days, the weather forecast in the WSDOT app indicates warmer temperatures and rain below 4,000' over the next 3 days, with … After about1.3 miles, take the right fork to the Granite Mountain Tail. Hikers have to climb over a large log jam and then wade and sometimes swim through the stream to get to the waterfall at the back. Daniel and Cathedral Rock. Finally, sites like WTA or AllTrails allow hikers to post trip reports, which are date stamped to let hikers read about actual current conditions and should be something that a hiker reviews before any excursion. The trip up to Granite Mountain is a steep one. This is not an easy hike so please have done something similar in the past. Absolutely the most difficult hike/climb I have ever done. There is always plenty of maintenance, tread work and rock work needed on this trail that leads to one of the last operational lookout towers in the forest. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. We crossed snow and slopes made up of large stones and gravel. Posted on September 29, 2018 by Rick Freeman. Granite Mountain Weather (Days 0-3): The weather forecast for Granite Mountain is: Moderate rain (total 13mm) on Sun night. The trail is dry and clear with lots of flowers (lupine,lillies,bear grass)and saw a number of Grouse with chicks. Best hiked July thru mid-October. Courtesy Granite Falls Historical Museum. O.k, so this trail kicked my ass. Fields of endless granite. Printable park brochure (PDF). The hike is four miles up and the trail only gets steep towards the end. 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