Granite Creek Trail

getting there

Take Exit 34 off of I-90 and turn left onto 468th Ave SE. Drive 0.6 miles to the junction with SE Middle Fork Road, turn right, and drive SE Middle Fork Road 2.1 miles. Bear left at the fork onto Forest Road 56. In 2.9 miles, just before the bridge across the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River, turn right into a driveway and into the Granite Creek trailhead (800 ft).

on the trail

Granite Lakes

a strenuous 8.4-mile round trip hike with 2,810 feet of elevation gain to a high point of 3,330 ft

Hike the Granite Creek Trail passing the Granite Creek Connector Trail junction in 1.5 miles (1,700 ft). Views of the flank of Mailbox open to the right at 2.8 miles from the trailhead. Continue up until reaching a second junction and fork in the trail, 3.5 miles from the trailhead (3070 ft). Take the right fork and hike 0.7 miles to Granite Lakes (3,330 ft).

thompson lake

a very strenuous 11.2-mile round trip hike with 4,110 feet of elevation gain to a high point of 4,290 ft

Hike the Granite Creek Trail passing the Granite Creek Connector Trail junction in 1.5 miles (1,700 ft). Views of the flank of Mailbox open to the right at 2.8 miles from the trailhead. Continue up until reaching a second junction and fork in the trail, 3.5 miles from the trailhead (3070 ft). Take the left fork and hike 2.1 miles to Thompson Lake (4,290 ft).

Zorro Point

16 miles round trip with 3,800 feet of elevation gain

Follow the Granite Creek Trail and at ~3 miles in turn left onto the former Zorro Road, from here it switchbacks in a big "Z." Continue up to Zorro Point also known as West Revolution Peak.

Revolution Peak

14 miles round trip with 5,000 feet of elevation gain, 5,454 ft high point

Follow the Granite Lakes Trail, eventually transitioning to an old logging road to Thompson Point, then continuing northeast along the ridge to Revolution Peak.  The ridge is narrow and very densely covered with vegetation in places, though there is generally a faint bootpath.

notes

• For a more gentle start, begin at the Granite Creek Connector Trail, just past the Mailbox Peak Trailhead. It adds 2 miles round trip but no elevation gain.
• Additional destinations from this trailhead are Zorro Point, Thompson Point, and Revolution Peak, but they are more challenging and Revolution Peak is a scramble.
• Thru-hike from the Granite Creek Trailhead to the Ira Spring Trailhead via Thompson Lake with car shuttle or key exchange.  It's 13.6 miles one-way with 5,300 feet of elevation gain including side trip to summit of Mount Defiance (5,582 ft).

INFORMATION FOR LEADERS

permits

• Permits are required in this area for all fee-based (course-related) activities, regardless of group size. Leaders may list trips at this route/place with the understanding that they need to verify that a permit has been obtained before running the trip (if required as outlined above). Permit applications are submitted to WA Department of Natural Resources annually in December. Please contact info@mountaineers.org with any additional questions. More details about permitting on WA DNR land as it applies to Mountaineers trips, as well as our current year Land Use License, can be found here.

• Suitable Activities: Day Hiking, Scrambling, Snowshoeing
• Snowshoeing Category: Intermediate
• Seasons: Year-round
• Weather: View weather forecast
• View avalanche forecast.

• Difficulty: Moderate
• Length: 8.4 mi
• Elevation Gain: 2,810 ft
• High Point: 3,300 ft

• Land Manager: Middle Fork NRCA
• Parking Permit Required: Discover Pass
• Recommended Party Size: 12
• Maximum Party Size: 20
• Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 20