Granite Mountain Trail

getting there

summer

Take Exit 47 off of I-90, turn north and then west (left) onto Forest Road 9035, and continue 0.4 mile to the Pratt Lake Trailhead (1,900 ft).

winter

Take Exit 47 off of I-90 and turn north and then west (left) onto Forest Road 9035. If the road is plowed continue on to the Pratt Lake Trailhead. If not, park on the frontage road near the freeway interchange. Avoid parking in the interchange to prevent having your car towed.

on the trail (day hike)

Start out on the Pratt Lake Trails and take the Granite Mountain Trail (right fork) in 1.3 miles (2,600 ft). Continue on the trail to the look out on the summit.  It's 8 miles, 3,800 feet of elevation gain.

approach & Ascent (scramble)

Begin at the Pratt Lake Trailhead. After about1.3 miles, take the right fork to the Granite Mountain Tail. In the spring (April and May) you will lose the trail in snow before you get to the first of three gullies on the south slopes. Approach the first gully, the one that is west most (left) of the three gullies. When you reach the narrow opening of the gully, ascend one of the two ridges on either side of it to avoid the avalanche danger in the center of the gully.

• During the summer, hike right up the center of the first gully, and then move left on to the rocks as the gully ends.
• If there is lots of snow at the turnoff to Granite Mountain, a good alternative, is to stay on the Pratt Lake trail for about 200 yards. Then head straight up through the trees and look for the main ridge extending down from the lookout.

Notes

• Avalanches have killed and injured climbers on this mountain in April and May.
• Consider also scrambling the west summit of Granite Mountain, (aka Tusk 'O Granite). The ridge linking the two is straight forward.

InformaTION FOr leaders

Permit information

As of 2017, the Snoqualmie Ranger District considers Mountaineers trips and courses to be "nominal use". Leaders should print and copy this designation letter or carry a digital copy on their phone to show rangers they may see on trail.

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

• Difficulty: Strenuous 3, Technical 2, Strenuous, Winter Scramble
• Length: 8.0 mi
• Elevation Gain: 3,800 ft
• High Point: 5,629 ft

• Land Manager: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
  Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Snoqualmie Ranger District (MBSNF)
• Parking Permit Required: Northwest Forest Pass
• Recommended Party Size: 12
• Maximum Party Size: 12
• Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 12