Middle Fork Snoqualmie Natural Resources Conservation Area
Mount Defiance–Thompson Lake, 3 summits
15.5 mi · ▲ 6,044 ft · 8 hr 11 min
Mount Defiance–Thompson Lake, 3 summits is a 15.5-mile out-and-back in Middle Fork Snoqualmie Natural Resources Conservation Area near Garcia, WA. The route passes Thompson Lake before reaching Mount Defiance at the turnaround, 7.7 miles in. It climbs 6,044 ft, with sections as steep as 32% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 74/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Mount Defiance–Thompson Lake, 3 summits
15.5 mi · ▲ 6,044 ft · 8 hr 11 min
Elevation 879–5,561 ft
Out & Back · Middle Fork Snoqualmie Natural Resources Conservation Area
Trailhead: Granite Creek Trailhead · 47.49216, -121.63920
Weather Sep 4: Light drizzle, high 67°F / low 51° · precip 53% · wind 1 mph · sunrise 6:30 AM · sunset 7:43 PM
Dogs allowed on leash · Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Granite Creek Trail, heading S.
- 3.1 miContinue straight onto Thompson Point Trail, heading SE.
- 1.1 miContinue straight onto Thompson Lake Trail, heading SE.
- 0.8 miPass Thompson Lake.
- 2.5 miSharp left onto Mount Defiance Summit Trail, heading SE.
- 0.2 miReach Mount Defiance, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.2 miSharp right onto Mount Defiance Trail, heading W.
- 3.3 miContinue straight onto Thompson Point Trail, heading W.
- 1.1 miContinue straight onto Granite Creek Trail, heading W.
- 3 miArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 7.3 mi in (~319 min). Leave by 2:04 PM for the 7:43 PM sunset. Back at your car by 11:14 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Dogs allowed on leash
- Toilets at the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
Other ways to reach this destination
More from Granite Creek Trailhead Trailhead
- Granite Creek Trail 2.1 mi · ▲ 794 ft
- Granite Creek Trail 2.2 mi · ▲ 837 ft
- Granite Creek Trail 6.2 mi · ▲ 2,177 ft
- Granite Creek Connector Trail 7.1 mi · ▲ 1,805 ft
- Upper Granite Lake & Granite Creek Trail 7.5 mi · ▲ 2,325 ft
- Granite Creek Trail 8.4 mi · ▲ 3,058 ft
Get outside more
A wild hike near Garcia, emailed to you once a week.
Hikes near Garcia, Washington