We drove up to the Middle Fork Snoqualmie Natural Resources Conservation Area to hike up to Granite Lakes. This is an 8.8 mile round trip hike with 2,270 ft of gain. This trail follows Granite Creek through the forest up to Granite Lakes. Today, the trail transitioned from fall to winter around 2,300 ft.
There were some fungi growing on the lower sections of the trail.
more fungi
Bridge crossing Granite Creek 1.8 miles from the trailhead.
View of Granite Creek from the bridge
Fresh snow from last night above 2,000 ft
There are many small streams crossing over the trail, we were able to step over on the rocks.
3.7 miles from the trailhead the trail splits, Thompson Lake to the left and our destination Granite Lakes to the right. A 0.7 mile trail leads to Granite Lake with a couple of opening in the forest for some views. Here Dirty Harry Peak
Some distant peaks to the west
Before reaching the outlet at Granite Lake, we found a boot track in the snow that led to the north shore of the lake. View of West Defiance Peak and
Dirty Harry's Peak across the lake. We took a lunch break here.
View of West Defiance Peak from the outlet crossing
There are two wide creek crossings at the outlet. We were able to boulder hop and keep our feet dry.
View of Granite Lake and West Defiance Peak from near the south side of the outlet.
Trees reflecting in Granite Creek at the outlet.
After enjoying the views at the lake, we headed back, this is the larger of the two water crossings at the outlet.
Although we saw many other hikers on the trail today, for most of the hike, we were by ourselves, enjoying our time in the forest.
View through the trees as we hiked closer to the trailhead.
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