Hike to Granite Mountain Summit

North Bend, Washington

Save

View all 4 photos

All 4 photos

Save Review Directions Add Photo

Details

Distance

8.6 miles

Elevation Gain

3800 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Audrey Rose

Very convenient to get to from Seattle (~45 minute drive) but a challenging hike that gets your blood pumping. Approx. 1,000 feet of elevation gain per mile-- but the views along the way are worth the climb!

Trip starts out forested, mossy, and wet (October trip) but turns rocky and exposed after a mile or so on Granite Mountain Trail. After 1.2 miles on Pratt Lake Trail, veer right for Granite Mountain Trail. Berries are on the trail in the summer, in the fall if there is not cloud cover you can easily see a couple of other summits along the way up.

You'll pass a couple of small lakes on the way up, some offer places to rest and have a snack as well as beautiful views.

Once at the top, there is a lookout point, lots of rocks to have a picnic, and chipmunks to entertain you. The view of Mt. Rainier doesn't hurt either!

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app

Features

Hiking

Scenic

Hike to Granite Mountain Summit Reviews

Have you done this adventure? Be the first to leave a review!

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Granite Mountain

The trek up Granite Mountain is a strenuous and fairly steep hike located east of Seattle and west of Snoqualmie pass off of I-90. Take exit 47 and turn North to a T intersection, park at the Pratt lake Trailhead at approximately 1860' and right beside I-90. The trail splits just after the first mile (1.2 miles exactly), stay left toward Granite Mountain. You climb steeply, switchbacking throu...

Overnight Hike to Pratt Lake

This overnight hike is definitely a challenge with 2,300 feet of elevation gain but all that huffing and puffing will be worth it when you reach the beautiful Pratt Lake Basin.The trail can be a bit busy in the first mile but most of the traffic is from day hikers on their way up the popular Granite Mountain Trail. After you pass the turnoff to the right, the crowds thin and you are offered sev...

Camp and Trail Run from Tuscohatchie Lake

This is a beginner to intermediate hike, at the first mile the trail has it first break where you can go up to the Lookout. If you continue going straight, you'll find waterfalls and lakes on the trail. 2.5 Miles in on the trail is another turn to Ollalie and Talapus Lake. Continue onto the 4-mile maker and you will find another turn one to Island Lake and the other to Pratt Lake.Pratt Lake i...

Annette Lake

From Seattle drive east on I-90 to exit 47 (Asahel Curtis/Denny Creek). Turn right from the off-ramp and continue 0.25 mile, then turn left on Forest Road 5590. You'll find the parking area in 0.3 mile. Between the thick second-growth forest stands and the high alpine lake, the trail rolls along Humpback Creek, offering great views of pretty waterfalls along the creek. The water was cold as i...

Talapus Lake Trail

The trail up to Talapus Lake is well graded and relatively short, at only about 2.5 miles in length RT. The trail starts off on a wide old road cut and then veers off into the old growth woods in a slowly winding uphill tack. A few mellow switch backs deliver you to the top, where a short stretch of log walking across easy streams brings you to views of Talapus Lake. Camping There are a few p...

Talapus & Olallie Lakes

With a moderate grade on a wide trail, the hike to Talapus Lake is the perfect introduction to the outdoors for hikers and beginning backpackers. Upon arrival at Talapus, break out lunch or pitch camp. Either way, you can cool off in the large lake. If you feel like pressing on, Ollalie Lake is just about a mile and a half up trail, where open campsites offer lakeside havens with calm waters an...