Scrambling Granite Mountain, Washington

A scramble up the southwest shoulder of Granite Mountain on October 3rd, 2009.  About five hours car to car.  No snow, just a little bit of early season frost and ice the last 1000 vertical feet.

Trailhead:

Looking across I-90 at Humpback Mountain:

The avalanche chute where I left the trail:

Steep subalpine terrain with light, swirling fog: 

Looking back down:

Nice fall colors:

Nearing the shoulder:

Fog closing in:

A break in the fog:

Gaining the shoulder:

Large scree boulders leading to the summit:

Some early season ice:

View from the summit:

Nice atmospheric views:

The summit lookout tower:

 

Descending by the trail: 

The descent trail:

A very nice early season trip.