One of the most challenging trails not too far from the Seattle metro area. Great workout!
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Gorgeous day! Beautiful hike up to Mailbox Peak. We started relatively early at 8AM. The parking lot was full when we got back down. Lots of people hiking and running on this trail. Lots of dogs on this trail too! No snow left on the top, a little mud here and there, but easily avoidable. On top of the Mountain you will have a stunning 360 degree view!
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First time up! Gorgeous day. No snow. Not many others. Went up and back on new trail because old 👵🏼
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great hike - 2 hours straight up. it then amazkng lake - no crowds - some views not many - no bugs
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Obviously mid week it’ll be less busy. Great conditioning hike! Great views.
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Add .8 mi to the start bc that’s when I started my Gaia. I tried to edit it to start at the TH but it didn’t update my total time. So, took 2hrs to summit from TH.
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Really awesome hike today! The trail and lake really beautiful. Good leg/gluteus workout:)))
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Great day. Dry and partial sun. Met a guy named Andy Olson on the way up and hiked the rest of the way up and all the way back with him. Nice guy. Exchanged info for future hikes
S
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Well constructed & maintained trail. Easily negotiable until the top, when crossing rock field (with some steps!). Best on a clear day, when views are likely spectacular, but very peaceful when surrounded by clouds.
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Beautiful hike, partially along Granite Creek. Snow and ice in the upper parts. Lake was overflown, unable to fully get to it.
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We used the new trail and it took us 7.5 hrs in total. We did not make it all the way to the top due to some snow. Close to the top. Sydney made it.
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Trail is very well maintained. There were quite a few people on the trail, but still plenty of parking.
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The trail is very nice, their is lots of shade, and an awesome view. This trail is pretty difficult especially towards the end after the rock “stairs”. A few of the down sides of the hike were: about 50% of people were not wearing masks, towards the end it is very difficult with no shade, and the hike is longer than you expect but the view is worth it! Enjoy this beautiful hike!
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This is an interesting trail in that it really starts out as a path, becomes a trail, connects remnants of logging roads, and is so overgrown in spots that it almost requires bushwhacking. The parking lot has a lot of spots available and there were only 5 cars in the lot the entire day. You can expect nearly 600 feet of elevation gain per mile hiked in to the lake. My final elevation gain was about 3800+ feet with an out and back distance of 11.1 miles. The day I went, it was raining pretty hard which caused the overgrown areas of the trail to be a real nightmare. I was soaking wet by the time I reached Lake Thompson due to water causing the plants to hang even farther into the trail. It should be noted that the path down to Lake Thompson is pretty steep since it is in a basin and trekking poles are very useful. The way out of the basin took me twice as long as the way in. The lake, however, is beautiful and the trip is worth taking. In fact, the Pikka were out which is always a treat.
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Thompson lake. All the snow on the trail is gone now. Ridge down to lake is steep, and could be hard to climb back up in more wet conditions. Trail gets more and more raw after the granite lakes fork and I loved it.
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Parking limited but easy. Micro spikes half way . Bring lots of snacks. Dogs love it. Crossed many creek no need to bring water for dogs. Wet shoes. Start early so you have options to continue to next point . Love it. Snow packed half of the way . Friday March 20th 2020. Nataliya and Doris . Two dogs .
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We began our hike a little before 9am early July on a weekday morning. We didn’t see many people— one benefit of going on a weekday morning. The trail is one of the best maintained I’ve seen — although it gets rockier with a few easy stream crossings as you climb to higher elevations. We found a few ripe salmon berries. Lots of wildflowers in full bloom including columbine, fox glove, and lupine to name a few. Most of the hike is through shaded Douglas fir forest until you break above tree line just as you reach the alpine lower Granite lake — a beautiful emerald green gem. It was a beautiful day to take in this beautiful serene setting. One of my new favorite hikes!
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Very steep up from the old trail but nice exercise. Not much view at the top due to fog and cloud.
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Very well maintained trail. Traffic noise from I-90 is a bit bothersome at start in places for first half. Big day to go to the summit. Great views, it's a ridge summit with some trees. Snow over last mile was difficult, cleats recommended. Upper half of the trail is along an old logging road.
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The trail was closed during the summer of 2018 for trail work. Though I hadn't been on the trail prior, the current trail has plenty of signs and is easy to follow. The trail work also rerouted a small section on the trail from the map but it's hard to get off trail. Consider hiking to the balcony for a shorter hike. I'm still sore a couple days after hiking as the top section gets steeper towards the top and follows old mining roads. From the top, you can see distant view of Rainier and Baker.
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I tend to go up the Old Trail and down the New Trail. The Old Trail is steeper and a good workout and the New Trail is gradual on the knees and easier to follow. The New Trail was created to reduce traffic where the trail is hard to navigate to reduce the impact hikers were making. Reflective signs are on trees to follow through the Old Trail sections. The trails merge before crossing into the alpine into the boulder field with good steps.
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