Revolution Peak Cabin 2013-06-15

We previously found the Granite Lakes shortcut trail after a few attempts and wandering around were we shouldn't have been.  The start of the shortcut trail is located about 200 feet West of the concrete bridge (about 2.5 miles from the Mail Box trail head) on the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River road.  The shortcut trail is barely visible in the bushes on the South side of the road.

The shortcut intersects with the Granite Lakes trail shortly before the trail crosses Granite Creek.  The trail was recently converted from a road by "landscaping" it into a trail with hump and bumps, tree stumps, replanted vegetation, and "fallen" trees that were cut to clear the trail.  They also removed the old bridge over Granite Creek that was built with large logs and covered with a road bed.  It does look like foundations are in place for a new bridge.  Additionally they removed several culverts up past Granite Creek.  This now presents a problem when the snow gets deep and making it difficult to get across the little streams.

They removed the old logging road bridge and have temporary bridge in place made from the logs of the old bridge.  Concrete pads are located at each end so it looks like a new bridge will be added.

Granite Lakes from the cabin.

Revolution Peak from the cabin.

  

Revolution Peak 4-21-2012

I have always wanted to hike beyond the Granite Lakes, and today is the day.  With my favorite canines and humans, we went off to North Bend.  I-90 East, exit 34.  Go north on 468th Ave for 0.4 miles.  Turn right  on to SE Middle Fork Rd.  Drive 2.5 miles to the Mailbox TH.  Park here and walk 0.1 mile to DNR gate as there is room for only 2 cars.  This gated old logging road is the start of Granite Lakes and Revolution Peak.  Discover Pass required.  We did 14 miles and 3972 ft elevation gain.

We are at the split, 4.9 miles from the gait.  Right is to the Granite Lakes.  We went straight towards Thompson Lake. Champ is looking for ....

Climbing up an avalanche field

 Sly and Champ

 Champ is happy.  He pounced at the snow and made it move and herded the snow balls.

View East

 View Southeast and Thompson Lake

 Yours truly

 Granite Lakes: we have hiked to the upper Granite Lake (left) many times.

We haven't quite made it to the peak because my humans were tired from long snowshoeing.  When snow is gone, I want to come back and hike to the peak.  Hike is mostly on exposed logging road.  Sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, and lots of water are must-carry items.  I also want to hike to Thompson Lake.  It will be a long hike (~20 mil RT).  Another way to Thomson Lake is from Ira Spring trail head which will be shorter, about 16 miles through the old Mason Lake trail.
Another grand day in the mountains.  We came home, chewed trachea, had a big dinner, and hit the bed.  We were all quiet next day, all day.