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Granite Mountain is the tallest summit (elevation 8479') on the east side of Meadow's Valley, northeast of New Meadows. We'd stayed the night at the Johnson cabin in New Meadows on our way back to Boise from a trip to Spokane. The hike is just under 6 miles round trip and 1800' of gain from the trailhead just north of Goose Lake. I'd planned get up early and do it in around 3 hours. Unfortunately, my cell phone was still on Pacific time so its alarm was late and I got up an hour behind schedule. I doubted that there'd be enough time to reach the summit, but figured the hike would be good regardless on this awesome crisp fall morning.
For the first mile or so, the trail is pretty gradual, winding through a recovering burn area. It was very pretty, full of fall red, orange, and yellow leaves amongst the black burned snags and smaller new dark green fir trees. After a while the trail gets steeper as it reaches the more rocky ridge of the peak. Still plenty of fall colors on the underbrush.Soon the fire lookout on the west summit came into site, sooner than expected actually. I followed the trail to the lookout, which was closed for the year. From here the views of Meadow's Valley were good, but a light morning fog and an some leftover forest fire smoke made it a little hazy. Next I followed the ridge over to the east summit which is the highpoint according to the map. The view back to the fire lookout was pretty cool and there was some snow on the north side of the mountain left-over from a week or two earlier. Twin Lakes were visible below to the northeast. I didn't stay long due to a the tight schedule and hightailed it back to the car in 1:45 round trip. Probably would've been more enjoyable as a three hour hike, but still a great morning and I made it back in time for the 10:30 church service in New Meadows.
Map of the route, just under 6 miles round trip.
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The trail passes through a burn area near the trailhead, full of Fall colors.
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A view of the lookout of the west summit of Granite Mountain.
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Close-up view of the lookout, closed for the season.
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Meadows Valley lies below Granite Mountain to the southwest.
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Looking towards the east summit from the lookout.
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Twin Lakes to the northeast of the east summit.
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A view back on the lookout from the east summit.
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This is a nice meadow south of the trail on the way back to the trailhead.
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Granite Mountain in the distance taken from the road on the way back.
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