Started our hike at 7:30am on a cloudless Monday. Parking lot had maybe 6 cars. Easily marked at the bottom and at the one turning point when you go right for Granite Mountain (vs. left for Pratt Lake).
Gorgeous hike through the trees, pass switchbacks until you reach the split between the summer and winter routes. Summer route was still largely covered in snow, so we took the winter route and took the “Granite Way”, scrambling up boulders until we reached the lookout.
I took images of the scramble so that others could get an idea of what it looks like now, mid-July, at different angles. There really wasn't a ‘path', you had to find your own, but mostly we stayed in the center of the rock way. I felt nervous climbing the first stretch of granite boulders, but with secure footing with each step, I gained much more confidence as I progressed to the top.
There was a small lockbox sitting on a wooden lookout ledge with a few items in it and an “Explore Washington” sticker.
Stunning 360 degree views at the top, clear view of Mt. Rainier and fields of snow below. I came alive on this hike and feel like I now have in addition to the “travel bug”, the “mountain bug”. This peak will do that to you.
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