Granite Mountain is just a few minutes up the road from home. It's one of my go-to trails for a nice walk. It's especially nice early in the season when the snow is set up and consolidated. Of course, it's especially nice when the flowers bloom in Summer and also when the berries are ripe in the Fall. It's even especially nice in winter when the avalanches aren't threatening.
This climb was pretty typical of an early Summer trip. The forest was clear of snow and the flowers were blooming all along the trail. Down low there were trillium, then bunchberry and a few queen's cup. In the meadows, beargrass was in full bloom. By the time we got to the basin below the lookout we were back to winter and the snow deep.
By our standards it was a nice hike on a Thursday night. To others, apparently, it was stunning. Big views, a decent sunset, flowers, and even a marmot that was none too happy we were there. To think this isn't an amazing place shows how jaded I've become.
I have to keep reminding myself that not everyone has opportunities like this in their backyard and it's a privilege to be in a position where I can spend a few hours after work wandering through the mountains.
So how can we help others get to the mountains? Check out these organizations.
Gear Forward connects people like us with organizations that need gear.
Big City Mountaineers gets under-served kids into the outdoors to learn life skills they can't get in the city.
Peak 7 also takes marginalized kids from the PNW into the outdoors.
WTA (of course) because they help everyone get outside.
