Day Hike - Granite Creek Trail

Take Exit 34 off of I-90 and turn left onto 468th Ave SE. Drive 0.6 miles to the junction with SE Middle Fork Road, turn right, and drive SE Middle Fork Road 2.1 miles. Bear left at the fork onto Forest Road 56. In 2.9 miles, just before the bridge across the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River, turn right into a driveway and into the Granite Creek trailhead (800 ft).

Meet and assemble at the Granite Creek Trailhead at  7:45 AM.   Brief introductions and trip review and depart by 8:00 AM.

A VERY STRENUOUS 11.2-MILE ROUND TRIP HIKE WITH 4,110 FEET OF ELEVATION GAIN TO A HIGH POINT OF 4,290 FT

Hike the Granite Creek Trail passing the Granite Creek Connector Trail junction in 1.5 miles (1,700 ft). Views of the flank of Mailbox open to the right at 2.8 miles from the trailhead. Continue up until reaching a second junction and fork in the trail, 3.5 miles from the trailhead (3070 ft). Take the left fork and hike 2.1 miles to Thompson Lake (4,290 ft)

Trip open to all branches and eligible members.  This hike  is for developing/improving physical conditioning for glacier climbing.  As part of my own conditioning series, we are increasing our pace and carried weight.  Mountaineering Boots required.  Recommend  carrying a minimum of 30 lbs. but not more than 40 lbs./25% of  your body weight without submitting prior experience and details with your request to register.  This is not a hike recommended for beginners.  The pace is listed as 1.7-2.2 mph, but we will adjust to trail/snow conditions and a pace that allows conversations.  Should the weather and or trail conditions work against us, we will discuss  and agree to alternatives as a group.  Other than personal bio-breaks, we will stay together as a group within speaking distance of one another.  Our plan would be to spend no more than 15-20 min. at the objective to take in the views, rest, and enjoy a snack, prior to descending.  This is NOT a snowshoeing trip, so per The Mountaineers standard's, should we run into snow that is beyond mid-calf/below the knee, we will turn around