For years on the way back from my aunt & uncles farm I would look out the window passing exit 47 on I90 and think to myself that must be a hell of a great place to hike because there are tons of fricking people parked there...I need to do that some time. Yesterday morning I received a last minute cancellation for a not so fun legal appointment and seized the moment to hike Granite Mountain.
The trail starts off steep out of the gate. You'll rise 800ft in the first mile. Instead of dark switchbacks like Mt Si, Granite Mtn starts off in the woods with streams and opens up onto colorful meadows. There are rocks to climb on and lakes to view. At the top of mountain is an old look out which is a great place to view Mt Baker, Ranier, and the Cascade Mtn range. Simply Amazing.
Hikers that I ran into said that when berries are still available there are some bear sightings, but my only animal encounter was with a hungry chipmunk. The total elevation gain is 3800ft over 4.3 miles, but you'll hardly notice as the terrain is contstantly varied, not one steep incline. The peak is at 5600ft.
At the top of the picture is the lookout where there is an incredible view.
If you decide to visit be sure to grab a NW Trail pass or be like me, forget, and park next to the freeway. Take exit 47 on I90, take a left off the exit and make your first left. There is a sign and you'll run right into the trailhead.
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