Granite Mountain is a 5633 ft tall peak near Snoqualmie Pass off I-90 east of Seattle. It is located in the Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest. Everything you might have heard about this hike is true. It's hard. You will be climbing an average of roughly 1000 ft/mile. The first mile is a nice walk in the woods. Mile 2-3 is intense as you climb through a dense forest. The last mile is more insane than intense. All of it is worth every step. Once the rocks begin you are treated to an unexpected visual feast as you round the north side and ascend to the 1924 lookout.
Once you reach the shoulder you will break into a meadow with a small pond and picturesque stream. This is very unexpected and tranquil. The trail then leads to the backside of the mountain where the terrain changes again and views open up to the fire lookout.
Be sure to take some side trails from here to look at the lakes on the north side. Then head up the boulders to the lookout. There is typically a volunteer ranger at the lookout on the weekends, and that was the case when I arrived so I could take a tour of the interior.
The view from the lookout is amazing in every direction as you'd expect. Take some time to try and identify other peaks you've climbed. The massive granite slabs at the top are unlike anything I've seen. They are relatively simple to navigate, so have some fun exploring.
I'd rate this a hike a five-star if it weren't for the incessant drone of I-90. Maybe if I had visited in the summer when the flowers were in bloom I wouldn't have even noticed. There are seed pods everywhere so the meadow would be filled with color.
Map & Stats
8.6 mi out & back
3800 ft elev gain
5633 ft highest elevation
Northwest Forest Pass required