Hiking Granite Mt in the summer may lose some of the cachet of reaching the summit in winter, but what the summer route lacks in bragging rights, it makes up in spectacular views and a great hiking experience.
Granite Mt is rumored to be the most popular summit hike off the Seattle I-90 corridor, and not without great reason. This fantastic hike is close to Seattle, very accessible and worth an annual visit.
Directions to the trail head (from Seattle) are the same as to the winter route:
Take I-90 East to exit 47
Head North across the freeway and take your first Left, (not the freeway on ramp).
About a mile down the road you come to the clearly marked Granite Mt. trail head.
On a nice day cars can line the road. Park as close as you can, and start your adventure.
The summer route is a bit longer and gentler than the winter route. While they start and end at the same place, the summer route takes you off a bit to the east and you make your way to the lookout tower via an open meadow and a scramble up a rocky ridge line. The winter route takes you directly up the face of the mountain.
Hike Stats:
8 miles round trip
3,800 ft vertical gain
7ish hours.
Trail description: You start your trip in the trees. After about a mile you reach a sign that tells you to go right to to reach Granite Mt. Go right at that sign. After another mile or so you reach a sign that says you are now in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Keep going. You break out of the trees not long after that sign and things get interesting.
After leaving the trees you cross what becomes in spring a wicked and potentially treacherous avalanche shoot (in early Spring check the trail conditions to assess safety 425.888.1421). Once across the avalanche shoot, you enter a picturesque meadow of waterfalls, wildflowers and views.Corollary to being in this meadow is that the sun beats right down on you, so bring lots of water.
As you wind your way up the meadow on the well-trodden path, every once in a while you get a glimpse of where you are headed, and these glimpses may make you want to turn back. It seems steep and far but keep putting one foot in front of another; it really isn't that steep and you will make it.
On your way up the meadow you traverse several switchbacks cut deep into the mountain side, as this trail is well loved.You will pass several waterfalls on this hike. These are great places to splash cold water on your face and cool yourself off. It's really invigorating.
Pause while in the meadow to look around. The views are fantastic, and worth a gander.
Your final approach to the summit/lookout tower is a rough one. Once you climb out of the meadow you learn why Granite Mt. is named well.
The last roughly 250ft are attained by a scramble up a boulder field, or dropping over the back side of the mountain and climbing a snowfield. Well, rumor has it you can climb the snowfield, I saw a couple of attempts but zero successes via this route.
If you are traveling with small children, or small dogs this is where you should call it a day. The scramble to the top is of the all fours variety, and not for the faint of heart as it is a long steep way down in either direction should you stumble.
This is a look at the ridge line boulder field you need to pass to make the summit. The ridge is quite narrow here, maybe 25 ft across, and steep on both sides. The views from the absolute top aren't worlds different than those from the base of the boulder field, but climbing over the rocks is pretty fun - and you can say you did it!Once at the top be sure to take the time to get a good look at the views off the back side of the mountain. They are pretty impressive and you have been staring at the other side all day.
Images from Granite Mt.
Granite Mt in the winter
Bandera Mt
Mailbox Peak
Kendal Catwalk
Mt. Maude
Goat Mt.
