Granite Mountain (west summit) - 1.21.2008

IMG_7126.jpg
rodman's GPS route... 9.5 miles roundtrip, gaining 3671 feet of elevation.
IMG_7127.jpg
Lots of options are available from the Pratt Lake trailhead... north side of I-90 (Exit 47)... between North Bend and Snoqualmie Pass.
IMG_7128.jpg
At the 1 mile mark there is a trail junction for Granite Mtn... we continued on the Pratt Lake Trail.
IMG_7132.jpg
There were at least a dozen stream crossings on the route.
IMG_7133a.jpg
IMG_7134.jpg
rodman is crossing one of the streams.
IMG_7136.jpg
At the 3 mile mark is the junction with the Talapus and Olallie trail... looks like someone lowered the sign... we continued on the Pratt Lake Trail.
IMG_7140.jpg
At the 3.5 mile mark we left the Pratt Lake Trail... turned north and headed for the ridge that connects the NW summit of Granite Mtn and the Mt. Defiance trail.
IMG_7143.jpg
rodman is almost to the ridge that connects the NW summit of Granite Mtn and the Mt. Defiance trail.
IMG_7143a.jpg
IMG_7146.jpg
The NW summit of Granite Mtn is to the right of the 5000' bump in the foreground of this photo... getting from the ridge to the top of this bump was the steepest part of the trip.
IMG_7157.jpg
rodman is working his way up the 5000' bump in very cold and windy conditions.
IMG_7163.jpg
A closeup of Kaleetan Peak along the way to the NW summit of Granite Mtn.
IMG_7166.jpg
rodman has finished the steepest part of the hike and can almost see the NW summit of Granite Mtn.
IMG_7172.jpg
Finally... we can see the NW summit of Granite Mtn.
IMG_7174.jpg
rodman is standing on the NW summit of Granite Mtn (5566').
IMG_7174a.jpg
ragman on the summit.
IMG_7177.jpg
From the NW summit of Granite Mtn... Kaleetan Peak, Chair Peak, Bryant Peak, and Big Snow Mtn... Upper Tuscohatchie Lake is below.
IMG_7178.jpg
Many peaks to chose from here... Big Snow, Hinman, Snoqualmie, Chimney Rock, Overcoat, Chikamin, Four Brothers, Alta, Stuart, and Hibox to name a few of them.
IMG_7179.jpg
The main summit of Granite Mtn (5629')... 63 feet higher than the NW summit.
IMG_7189.jpg
Mt. Rainier from the NW summit of Granite Mtn.
IMG_7194.jpg
Bandera, McClellan Butte, Washington, Pratt and Mt. Defiance... with the Olympics on the horizon... Olallie Lake is 2000 feet below.
IMG_7195.jpg
A panorama shot from the NW summit of Granite Mtn... Kaleetan Peak on the left to the main summit of Granite Mtn on the right.