We welcomed the New Year atop Granite Mountain in the crisp, albeit subfreezing, air.

This year I managed to rally two friends to help spice up the typically low-key outing.

While researching recent outings, I came upon an alternate approach from Olallie State Park.

I first took notice of the two peaks while climbing Burnt Mountain across the Carbon River Valley.

We followed the partly sunny weather forecast to the east of the Cascade crest.

Thanks to a two-day-old trip report, highway was still open clear to the trailhead.

Today pup and I finished off our Thanksgiving week hiking streak on one of my favorite mountains by Snoqualmie Pass.

While waiting for mountain pass conditions to improve, yellow pup and I spent another day out east.

In retrospect, we could have included Tucquala Peak as part of the Nursery Peak climb.

Taking advantage of the nice weather before sundown, pup and I headed off to Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Valley.