Granite Mountain Lookout

Well, another day off so another adventure. I feel like I must say that often. This morning when I awoke, I knew I wanted to go somewhere but I just wasn't sure where. After packing up my gear, getting some food and filling my car with gas, I headed East on I-90. Depending on the weather would determine my route, either Mt. Si or Pratt Lake or maybe a climb up Granite Mountain.

As I approached North Bend, I saw that it was going to be a clear and gorgeous sunny day, so heading up to the top of a mountain and having lunch at an old fire lookout sounded wonderful. Granite Mountain Lookout, I was on my way.

You find the Granite Mountain trail by first starting at the Pratt Lake trail head. About 1 mile in, you hit a fork on the trail, a point of divergence for if you go straight you hit a chain of lakes at the base of the mountains (Talapus, Ollallie, Pratt Lakes et. cetera), but if you turn up, a great ascent is ahead of you. When you start climbing you start climbing rapidly, about a 4,000 foot climb in around 3 miles. I'll admit it...it even kicked my ass.

After you make your way through the old growth and ferns, you break over the ridge into a large glen of wild blueberries that were absolutely delicious. As far as the eye could see were blueberry bushes. I spent the greater part of the trail run grabbing handfuls of berries and shoving them in my mouth.

As you make your way past the glen you walk along the ridge for a bit, jumping along big boulders, where remnant of snow linger in the shade. It was strange to still see snow in the end of September, but that is just proof of how bad our winter was this year.

Once you crest and can't possibly go any higher, you can see the old fire lookout in the distance. If you turn around, a spectacular view of Mt. Rainier can be seen. If you look straight ahead, a spectacular view of Mt. Baker is off in the distance. You are simply surrounded by beautiful mountains. Looking down over the north side of the trail , you can see lakes at the base of Granite Mountain, lakes that I believe you can access from the Pratt Lake trail.

Once I made my way up to the lookout, I sat down and had my lunch. The wind was cool but felt good against my sweaty back. It was great taking in all the scenery and it is amazing just how much beauty is so close to home.