Put the legs to the test with two big hikes in a weekend

7/31 and 8/2/205 Mount Dickerman and Granite Mountain

I combined these two hikes into a single post because they have similar characteristics, and they were both done close together for the same purpose. Both are just under 8 miles and a bit under 4000 feet of gain, which puts them solidly in the leg-burner category. The purpose for doing these hikes, other than because they are awesome, was to test out my sore knee and and my fitness, in preparation for my backpacking trip in less than a week. If these were a struggle, I don't think I would have been able to do the trip.

Mount Dickerman has become my "go to" hike this summer. In addition to the physical challenge, it has some excellent views along the way to the south and equally stunning views to the north from the top. This is also a great time of year for wildflowers.

From the top, you can see the elusive Glacier Peak, one of Washington's five major volcanic peaks. It is the hardest of the five to get to, because it is tucked away, requiring a multi-day trip to just reach it.

On one day of rest, I then tackled Granite Mountain, another steep trail with lots of gain. This day was a bit more hazy, but it was still a fantastic hike. The scenery here is a bit different than Mount Dickerman, with its own varieties of wildflowers, large boulders, and of course the fire lookout.

The lookout is set atop of what can be described as a giant pile of boulders. As with all fire lookouts, you have 360-degree views of the surrounding forests and mountains. You can also see down to the trail as it meandered through the rocky meadow.

Once at the top, it pays off to traverse the rocky ridge for about 50 yards, across the old helicopter pad, to a viewpoint often missed by hikers. From here you can look down on two alpines lakes.

As for testing out the knee and my fitness level, I exceeded my own expectations. Both of these trails has an average hike time of over six hours, per AllTrails, but I did each in just over four hours. This may be the best hiking shape I've been in, so I felt ready for the next challenge.