Let's Hike Granite Mountain- Fast Pace/Advanced Skills

If you like a little challenge! This is the hike for you. Granite Mountain in winter months offers a more strenuous aspect to this hike.

Too early to determine overall weather and conditions. If not ideal, we can pick a different spot as a team.

Please be sure you understand your own capabilities to hike for 8+ miles (RT) with almost 4000 elevation gain. I expect to be back to the P&R by 5:00pm at the latest. If you are not fully prepared for this hike with all the required gear, you will NOT be allowed to join the group.

Join the waitlist to be considered for this event.

The plan is to climb Granite following the Winter route. Ice ax and crampons are required.

If conditions on Granite are not ideal, we may consider Roosevelt, Snoqualmie, or some other hill instead. TBD as a team.

Carpooling:
Will be coordinated at the Park and Ride before we leave to the trailhead. We should be at the TH by 6ish at the latest.

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Granite is a very strenuous hike without snow and ice. Hiking in winter makes this hike even more difficult. I recommend reading about this hike, especially the recent trip reports by other hikers posted at: http://www.wta.org
The first couple of miles are mostly in the forest with some snow on the trail. The snow becomes deeper and the grade very steep especially when we get to the winter route by the avalanche chute.

Early in the year the upper mountain is covered in snow and ice, and the upper slopes are avalanche prone. Because of wind and low temperatures, the upper portion of the mountain will be more icy and we may cross some challenging sections. We can take a ridge path to the top, or go up the regular trail. Decision about that will be made on the mountain during the hike- conditions permitting.

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Winter/Ridge Route:
Granite Mountain has become one of the most popular hikes on the I-90 corridor. The incline and elevation gain makes it an ideal training hike for larger peaks like Baker or Rainier. From the trailhead, we will follow Pratt Lake Trail #1007 which ascends through the woods gradually climbing for about a mile until you cross several small creeks and it meets with the Granite Mountain Trail, that goes up to the right (#1016).

The trail starts with steep switchbacks through the woods coming out onto the open slopes at times. In about a mile and a half it crosses a creek, enters open slope and continues up to the ridge for another mile. In the winter time the open slope is where you can ascend the gully to save time and distance while gaining some serious vertical feet in a short distance- Cheap and Steep!
This is also the glissade route that is preferred in the winter months. On clear days, the Lookout Tower can be seen from this point.

Required Gear:
Please come prepared with all the necessary gear and clothing:
• 10-essentials
• Layers, especially upper body
• Gaiters
• Wind-protection and snow protection
• Ice ax and trekking poles
• Helmet (optional, but recommended)
• Snowshoes
• Micro spikes and crampons
• Great attitude and a bright smile
• food, snacks and water for the day
• No cotton (jeans) or tennis shoes. No dogs please.

Hike Stats:
• Roundtrip: 7 - 8.5 miles depending on route taken
• Elevation gain: 3900 ft
• High point: 5629 ft

Directions to trailhead:
Take 1-90 east from Seattle to exit 47. Take a left (north). Cross highway, go left (west). Trailhead is 0.5 miles ahead at the end of the road. Trailhead is shared with Pratt Lake trailhead. (Lat:47.397 Lon:-121.486)
NW Forest Pass required at the TH.

If the avalanche risk is very high, we (collectively) can consider a different hike before we leave East Gate P&R.