Granite Mountain (West Summit) - 3.12.2014
Directions from the Preston Park & Ride to the Pratt Lake Trailhead.
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rodman's GPS route of our trip to the west summit of Granite Mountain... 9.6 miles roundtrip, gaining 3672 feet of elevation.
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Gearing up at the Pratt Lake Trailhead.
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After hiking a mile, we will continue toward Pratt Lake and Talapus Lake.
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One of the endless number of stream crossings on this trail... all easy.
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After hiking a total of 3 miles, we will continue toward Pratt Lake.
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We left the Pratt Lake Trail approximately .5 miles after the Talapus Lake turnoff... due to avalanche concerns, we will stay near the trees until we can get up on the ridge... you can see some sluffing on the slope above.
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Working our way up to the ridge.
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The ladies in our group have reached the ridge (~4500')... and appear to be shooting a lot of photos... what are they looking at?
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They are looking at Kaleetan Peak (the spire)... with Chair Peak on the right.
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larman and tomman arriving at the ridge that connects the west summit of Granite Mountain and Pratt Mountain.... Mt. Rainier in the distance.
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On the ridge... turning east to head for the west summit of Granite... much steeper than it looks here.
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tomman on the steep portion of the ridge.
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Gives an idea of the steepness on the ridge.
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Gaining elevation now... looking down on Olallie Lake... Pratt Mountain in the foreground... Bandera Mountain on the left... with Mt. Defiance on the right.
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Almost to the west summit of Granite... lots of photo ops.
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Not quite there yet... but closer.
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BarbE can see the west summit.
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Group shot on the summit... standing... rodman, larman and tomman... front row... ragman, Sandra, Snowdog, Yoko and BarbE.
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Tuscohatchie Lake below... with lots of distant peaks in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.
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Looking over at the Granite Mountain Lookout.
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Mount Rainier to the south.
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A closeup of Tuscohatchie Lake.
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Heading back down the ridge as we trace our steps back to the car.
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