This would be my third time up Granite Mountain. And it's always a great mountain to hike up.
I'm sure a lot of people are dying to know what the conditions are right now since the last trip report posted four days ago. It's mostly the same. But I'll give you my perspective on things.
I did not make it to the lookout as the final snow field to climb is incredibly steep and my legs were already cramping up at this point. I would advise some kind of traction device for your boots on this part but the lower snow fields did not require anything special. Hiking poles are advisable or some kind of tool to self arrest as the snow fields can be quite steep, very soft and slippery.
I did notice, however that some hikers had made tracks through the summer route but I am unsure what condition those switchbacks on the North side of Granite are that'll take you up to the where the lookout is. There were a handful of hikers on the trail today dressed in various hiking attire from sturdy hiking boots to trail runners and no one really seemed to have any issues making it up the snow fields.
The forest trail leading up to the Granite meadows is your typical PNW forest trail; full of rocks, roots and the occasional mud puddle along with two blow downs that were easily stepped over. And of course the parking lot and road leading up to the that are in fine condition.
The snow fields offer some great glissading opportunities but please be aware of where the cornices and drop offs are going down, (on the left). There is a section of tracks that gets very close to the edge but when I went through it seemed sturdy enough. With the warmer temperatures on the way this week, there should be significant snow melt on Granite which may open the summer route a lot sooner if you'd rather wait on that.
I arrived at the trailhead just after 0900hrs and made it to my turn around point just before noon and was back to the parking lot by 1400hrs.
Responses
We hit Granite Sat 6/26- beautiful hike – trail is in great shape. Lots of trickling water stops along the way to cool down in! A long boulder scramble to the top for perfect view of Rainier!