Granite Mountain
Pratt Lake Trailhead to summit lookout
The Route
A steep trail climbs from the Pratt Lake trailhead to Granite Mountain’s summit lookout.
- Pratt Lake TrailheadShared forest trail
- Granite Junction1.2 miles
- Avalanche ChuteBelow open shoulder
- Upper BasinMeadow and talus
- Summit LookoutFinal rocky ascent
Pratt Lake Junction
The first 1.2 miles follow Pratt Lake Trail through mossy forest. At the junction, Pratt Lake continues left and Granite Mountain climbs right on narrower, rockier switchbacks.
Chute, Shoulder & Meadows
Just under a mile above the junction, the route crosses the avalanche chute visible from below. It then traverses east onto the mountain's shoulder and reaches open meadows. The chute is a terrain feature, not a claim about today's avalanche conditions.
Basin & Lookout
From the first view of the lookout, about a mile remains. The trail passes through a basin and alpine meadow bordered by talus before the final rocky climb. The 5,629-foot summit viewpoint is separate from access inside the lookout, which WTA says opens only when staffed.
Terrain Along the Route
Forest switchbacks reach open slopes and the summit ridge. The trail crosses avalanche chutes, a material distinction from a snow-free trail description.
Approximate guide figures for the named route and endpoint, not a current measured track. Reference Set: 2026-10-23.
Weather
Current forecasts open at the providers below. NWS forecasts describe a terrain grid cell, not an exact summit.
Access
Pratt Lake Trailhead, Snoqualmie Pass, WA
Driving Approach
Use I-90 exit 47. From the north side of the freeway, turn left at the T-junction to Pratt Lake trailhead. Granite shares the first 1.2 miles with Pratt Lake Trail before branching right.
Parking & Facilities
WTA lists roughly 35 parking spaces and one toilet. Northwest Forest Pass or America the Beautiful Pass applies.
Lookout Interior
The summit trail and viewpoint are distinct from entering the lookout. WTA says the building is open to visitors only when a ranger or volunteer is staffing it.
Forest Pass Payment
The Forest Service lists this trailhead among its credit/debit pass-purchase locations. Northwest Forest Pass and America the Beautiful Pass remain valid.
Source information checked 2026-10-23. Road snapshots are dated separately.
Reports
Granite Mountain Trail Reports
WTA's feed covers the Pratt Lake junction, avalanche-chute crossing, upper basin and lookout. Winter ascents may use a different line from the maintained summer trail, and a summit report does not prove the lookout interior is open.
Forest Access Notices
The forest publishes official trail-work and road-access restrictions for this Snoqualmie Ranger District approach.
Links open the publishers’ report pages. Reports are not automatically imported or filtered to a forecast date.