** Jeff S. has a great review! ** But I have a super-beginner’s point of view. ;) I saw pictures of Granite’s lookout and HAD to go. I forgot to take into account how long 4 miles is when you’re gaining about 4,000 feet! However, it did get done. We only too 10 hours to do it. Yep. A hike that is estimated at 5 hours took us 10. But it was soooooooo worth it. The day we went(first week of September) was very foggy/cloudy. We started around 9:30 and were banking on the fact that it would break around noon or so. Nope. On the plus side, it made for a cooler-than-it-could-have-been hike. We got lost a few times in Narnia, but we’re by I-90, so there was cell phone signal to put us back on track. After Narnia, you may hear marmots yelling out like we did. Didn’t bring any binoculars to see them more up close, but boy were they loud. If you’re a novice hiker, like I am, you may be wondering the whole time«are we there yet???» No, you’re not. You’re not even half way. But keep trekking– it’ll be worth it. When we did finally get there(there being the incredible lookout) we stopped and had lunch. I cooled down QUICK to the point where my hands were frozen. I suggest bringing layers or at least gloves if you’re going to spend any sizable amount of time there. Because of the fog, the farthest we were able to see was up to Snoqualmie pass and all of teeny tiny I-90. I had my heart set on seeing Mt. Rainier, but by the time I was up at the lookout, I was just ecstatic that we made it. Well, that and not wanting to fall off. We headed back down, trying to calculate the time we needed so that we weren’t hiking in the dark. Well, I don’t know what it was, but I totally underestimated the hike down. It still took us 4 hours to hike down, and we didn’t catch it before the sunset. Kinda scary. Will pack my own flashlight next time, just in case. All in all, it was a tough climb for us but SOSOSOSOSO worth it.
Doug T.
Classificação do local: 4 Bellevue, WA
This is a buff hike. it’s a challenge to make it to the top on a weekday hike. Ran into about 3 feet of snow in january. microspikes or crampon’s highly suggested. you can’t do the summer route during wnter
Melody P.
Classificação do local: 5 Seattle, WA
I came here in summer with my girlfriends. However, due to the time constraint, we had to head back before we reached to the top which was about 1 miles away(steep). Therefore, we didn’t make it. Autumn is just around the corner and summer is staying late! I decided to return. I would love to do this hike with my girlfriends again. However, they were all out of town with their honeys. By being a single woman, I don’t really have much, but I have a lot of time and absolutely enjoy outdoors. The trailhead is easy to find. It’s off I-90 East Exit 47, turn left, over I-90, and turn left again, then, you are there! Be aware, the bathroom by the trailhead does not have a lock. I walked in when someone was using. And, someone walked in when I was using! It’s kind funny! The Roundtrip is about 8.0 miles, the Elevation Gain is 3800 ft and the Highest Point is 5629 ft( ). The distant of the hike is just like Mount Si. But, Granite Mountain is so much better! When I was there, I thought it was pretty difficult hike. It’s all uphills to the lookout and all the way downhill back. When you go up, you use a lot of your leg muscles. When you go down, it puts a lot of pressure on your knees. Regardless, it’s worthy it! From the lookout where I sat, I can see Mountain Rainier covered in snow on the top. If you walk around(cautiously), the 360 degree view would show you other mountains you may know of. I didn’t think I would be sore when I finished my hike. But, this morning, I felt it, mostly, my butt! This mountain really worked me! After this hike, I even came up with this ridiculous idea. If a man I am dating can not finish this hike, he is OUT! This mountain has so much to offer. I saw so many people turned back due to the difficulties. It’s a shame!
Jeff S.
Came here last weekend on a perfect Seattle summer day(sunny with a high of.90+?). By 9AM the parking lot was beginning to fill up! The trail starts off with some sloped switchbacks in the forest, there are a couple pretty views around the trail of surrounding mountain slopes, but things get reallly nice once you’re out of the trees. The trail becomes flanked by lots of wildflowers and we’d occasionally get a whiff of something lovely. Further up the trail there was still snow melting into little streams and ponds. The last half mile to the top was a bit steeper, but by that point, it’s so exciting to be near the top, you just have to push through it. Getting to the top is a real treat — on a clear day you can see Mt. Ranier, Mt. Adams, Glacier Peak, and Mt. Baker and the other local peaks. It’s fun hanging out at the watchtower and talking to the forest ranger or just eating lunch on what feels like the top of the world! Total time: ~ 5.5 hours, including lunch and general breaks. It will be less of a death march if you’re in decent shape.
