From the map in the first link below, drive down the Middle Forks Rd and take the “Granite Lakes short-cut” http://midforkrocks.com/area/granite-lakes/ A couple friends and I hiked to upper Granite Lakes today. Beautiful weather. The trail was in good condition and there was a group of 7 people ahead of us. Most of that group wore snowshoes the whole way and as such the trail was well packed down for most of it. We only put on our snowshoes for the last 1/2 mile to the lake but wore them the whole way back. We started from the "short-cut" trail off the Middle Forks (shortly before the big bridge). The first 1/4-1/3 of the trail was the steepest and at times we thought about putting on traction devices (micro-spikes) but being stubborn or lazy we didn't bother. I had taken this trail in the summer a couple of years ago but it has been vastly improved. Easy to follow with some benches made out of trees to rest. Once meeting-up with the original trail that comes from closer to Mailbox peak it was less steep. On the return if we weren't paying attention we might have missed the turn-off onto the short-cut trail. After the bridge crossing there were numerous little creek crossings and most of them were no big deal and they added to the trip. Knowing that there was a group ahead at the lake,we stopped for lunch maybe a 1/4 mile before the lake and tried to catch the sun, unfortunately it settled behind Dirty Harry's leaving us in the shade and you could notice the temperature drop. I've looked down from Dirty Harry's peak many times at granite lake but this was my first trip to the lake. Even taking the short-cut, my gps logged us in at near 10 miles. Great day hike/snowshoe. Additional links: http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/seasonal-hikes/hikes-of-the-week/granite-lakes http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/seasonal-hikes/hikes/granite-lake/ https://www.mountaineers.org/explore/routes-places/granite-lakes

Hiking/Backpacking

The first 1/3 of this hike is the steepest and then it it is less steep for the rest but continues in a steady incline.

Washington, United States

time : Jan 15, 2017 9:39 AM

duration : 6h 11m 33s

distance : 10.7 mi

total_ascent : 2415 ft

highest_point : 3107 ft

avg_speed : 1.7 mi/h

user_id : littlesportsman

user_firstname : Lawrence

user_lastname : Kuracina

From the map in the first link below, drive down the Middle Forks Rd and take the “Granite Lakes short-cut” http://midforkrocks.com/area/granite-lakes/ A couple friends and I hiked to upper Granite Lakes today. Beautiful weather. The trail was in good condition and there was a group of 7 people ahead of us. Most of that group wore snowshoes the whole way and as such the trail was well packed down for most of it. We only put on our snowshoes for the last 1/2 mile to the lake but wore them the whole way back. We started from the "short-cut" trail off the Middle Forks (shortly before the big bridge). The first 1/4-1/3 of the trail was the steepest and at times we thought about putting on traction devices (micro-spikes) but being stubborn or lazy we didn't bother. I had taken this trail in the summer a couple of years ago but it has been vastly improved. Easy to follow with some benches made out of trees to rest. Once meeting-up with the original trail that comes from closer to Mailbox peak it was less steep. On the return if we weren't paying attention we might have missed the turn-off onto the short-cut trail. After the bridge crossing there were numerous little creek crossings and most of them were no big deal and they added to the trip. Knowing that there was a group ahead at the lake,we stopped for lunch maybe a 1/4 mile before the lake and tried to catch the sun, unfortunately it settled behind Dirty Harry's leaving us in the shade and you could notice the temperature drop. I've looked down from Dirty Harry's peak many times at granite lake but this was my first trip to the lake. Even taking the short-cut, my gps logged us in at near 10 miles. Great day hike/snowshoe. Additional links: http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/seasonal-hikes/hikes-of-the-week/granite-lakes http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/seasonal-hikes/hikes/granite-lake/ https://www.mountaineers.org/explore/routes-places/granite-lakes