Granite Mountain Lookout
| Distance: | 7.5 miles | |
| Time: | 5 hours | |
| Elevation Gain: | 3720 ft | |
| Rating: |  |
Description:
Starting at the Pratt Lake Trailhead, the first mile of trail meanders gently through cool forest to a junction near a small creek, then turns right and starts a challenging grind up a series of switchbacks. Forest gives way at about two miles from the trailhead to views down the valley, of jumbled slabs of rock, and of lush carpets of grass and wildflowers. Here, the trail opens to views of a sea of peaks to the south, east, and west.
The remainder of the trail winds up through increasingly open and pleasant meadows, crossing a few small creeks cascading down avalanche-carved gullies. Splashes of alpine flowers, beargrass, heather, and thistle carpet the mountain's upper slopes in early summer, while blueberries abound in the fall. A final series of steep switchbacks delivers hikers to the summit ridge and the just rewards for the effort.
From the summit, elevation 5,629 feet, you'll find 360-degree views of snowy peaks including the massive Mount Rainier and the glacier-carved peaks of the Alpine Lakes wilderness, verdant green valleys, and sparkling blue lakes. For even better views and a close-up look inside a classic Cascade fire lookout, climb the summit fire lookout tower. If you're lucky, you'll catch a summer volunteer on duty to let you take a peek inside.
Directions:
To get to Granite Mountain from Seattle, drive Interstate 90 east from Seattle to Exit 47, cross back over the freeway, and turn left, driving 0.5 mile to the Pratt Lake Trailhead parking lot. You'll need to obtain a trail park pass from the U.S. Forest Service to park at the trailhead. Follow Pratt Lake Trail #1007 to Granite Mountain Trail #1016. Hikers can obtain information, maps, and trail park passes at the U.S. Forest Service ranger station in the town of North Bend, or at the REI store in Seattle.
