Granite Mountain (King County, Washington) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Granite Mountain |
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 5,633 ft (1,717 m) NAVD 88 |
| Prominence | 1,149 ft (350 m) |
| Geography | |
 Granite Mountain
Location in Washington (state)
Granite Mountain
Location in the United States
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| Parent range | Cascade Range |
| Topo map | USGS Snoqualmie Pass |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Hiking Trail |
Granite Mountain is a tall peak in the Cascade Range in King County, Washington. It stands about 16 miles (26 km) east of North Bend. This mountain is 5,633 feet (1,717 meters) high.
A special building called a fire lookout sits on top of Granite Mountain. You can reach it by following a hiking trail. This lookout helps spot forest fires from high up.
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The Fire Lookout's Story
The first fire lookout building was put up in 1924. It was then rebuilt 31 years later to make it stronger. Today, volunteers still take care of the lookout. They work there from June through September each year. Their job is to watch for fires and keep the area safe.
Weather at Granite Mountain
Granite Mountain is in a place with a special kind of weather. It's called a marine west coast climate zone. This means it gets a lot of influence from the Pacific Ocean.
How Weather Forms
Most of the weather here starts over the Pacific Ocean. Air masses, or weather fronts, move northeast towards the Cascade Range. When these fronts hit the tall Cascade Mountains, they are forced to rise. As the air goes up, it cools down. This causes the moisture in the air to turn into rain or snow.
Winter and Summer Weather
Because of this, the west side of the Cascade Mountains gets a lot of rain and snow. This is especially true during the winter months. Temperatures rarely go below 0°F (-18°C) or above 80°F (27°C). This is because the ocean keeps the air mild.
In winter, the sky is often cloudy. But in summer, high pressure systems over the Pacific Ocean bring clear skies. This means lots of sunshine! The snow here tends to be wet and heavy. This can sometimes lead to a risk of avalanches, so hikers need to be careful.
