Weekend Photo Feature: Fall Color on Granite Mountain

-

Notice the name change? I think the "Photo Friday" feature is more realistically my weekend photo feature, and I shall call it that whichever day or hour it comes out.

This weekend's feature is a stunning day hike I did last fall up Granite Mountain in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.

The hike is just under 8 miles RT, with nearly 3700' of gain and--more to the point as far as my knees are concerned--loss. It's a popular hike, but not really for the faint of heart. In early October, it also offered some of the best fall color I saw this year. 

 

We started from the trailhead at 8:15 in the morning, beating the crowds and warm temperatures. The climb begins almost at once, through thick conifer forests.

Fog at the trailhead gave way gradually to sunshine above.

Avalanche chutes are filled with vine maple and other plants turning color.


Once we left the big trees, we climbed for a long way mostly among the vine maples.

Halfmoon framed by vine maple leaves


Eventually we hit treeline, where the color mostly comes from low mountain huckleberry bushes.


Soon Mt. Rainier becomes visible on the southern horizon.



Above the ponds the summit--with the Granite Mtn. Lookout--is visible, but the only sane approach lies around to the "back" of the peak--to the right.
 

Passing to the north side of the peak gave us views into the heart of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, including some of the terrain I'd hiked back in August.


A good grunt up a rocky but well-built trail to the lookout rewarded us with 360-degree views.
Puget Sound, still fogged in, and the Olympic Mountains beyond.

Glacier Peak to the north.

And Rainier to the south.

Time for lunch! Then we were faced with the long descent, which had my knees screaming for mercy. I'm working on them--I don't like body parts that don't pull their weight :)  

I am really enjoying being in Seattle where hikes like this are only an hour away.

Enjoy your weekend--warm days and fall colors are but a memory as the NWS predicts at least 5 solid days of overcast and rain!


©Rebecca M. Douglass, 2024
 As always, please ask permission to use any photos or text. Link-backs appreciated.
Don't miss a post--Follow us! 


Comments

  1. Patricia JLJanuary 22, 2024 at 8:53 AM

    Given how dreary and gray it's been in Michigan, I needed this burst of color.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rebecca M. DouglassJanuary 22, 2024 at 11:22 AM

      Glad to help! I feel the same way about our Seattle winter :)

      Delete

Post a Comment

Let us know what you think! We love to hear from our readers!

Popular Posts

#WEP--The Scream

-
Image
WEP challenges are FREE and open to all. On the 1st   of the challenge month, there will be a   get-your-thinking-caps   on post. The badge will include the dates of the challenge and the winner’s   prizes. The InLinkz sign up will open on the third Wednesday and close 3 days later. It will contain no news, just the sign up. Participants link up with their DLs (Direct Links to their entry).  Learn all about it here .    My entry this time is based on an actual incident. Mom and my brothers will recognize it. My apologies to them for the non-trivial liberties I took with history and their personalities. We are now also meant to provide a tag line for our stories, so here's mine: What terrors lurk in the root cellar?     The Scream The house we lived in that year wasn’t much. The wind blew in everywhere you could imagine a draft, and some places you couldn’t. The old enclosed porch we used as a root cellar was worse. It wasn’t just the wind that could get in through the chinks a
Read more

#IWSG + Cozy Review & Author Interview: Murder in Second Position

-
Image
This is a big post! Lots going on... hang in there.   What is the IWSG?   We are a group of writers who gather on the Internet to offer support and encouragement to each other! And we owe it all to the founder, Ninja Captain Alex Cavanaugh. Thanks, Alex! Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting! Every month, we announce a question that mem
Read more

#WEP: December Flash Fiction Challenge

-
Image
This December challenge wraps up the year of artistic inspiration from some great works of art. The WEP is open to all, following the simple rules: 1. SUBMIT your name to the list below on December 1 thru the 15th . Add your link (URL) 2. POST your entry, put WEP is in the TITLE along with The Narcissus badge within your entry. 3. STATE feedback preferences and word count at the end of your entry. 4. READ other entries, giving feedback if requested. 5. SHARE THE CHALLENGE on social media. Tweets are ready on the WEP blog. PLEASE NOTE: ENTRIES CLOSE Dec. 15th @ midnight (NY Time - check WEP blog clock) ALL GENRES WELCOME except erotica - 1,000 words maximum My story for this month's challenge is maybe cheating a little--I didn't write it for the challenge, but I decided that the common understanding of Narcissus and narcissism fits well enough, even if the story doesn't relate to the painting. I wrote this while trekking in Nepal last month, highlighting a character w
Read more