It was a soggy day but the trail, lined with moss-covered maples, alders and conifers, was perfect for capturing our fall colors. Although narrow, it is well graded and drained, with 1 bridge over a creek and 1 downed utility pole sized tree to cross over. Somewhere between trailhead and Granite Creek junction, is a carved out bench with a view of Bessemer & Moolock Mountains (a bit Mount Teneriffe too), and for one moment the misty clouds gave way to a patch of the blue sky. Mushrooms were also found along the trail. I figure the Connector Trail to be more scenic compared to the Granite Lakes Trail despite both of them being linear / corridor-like.

For a rainy day cold hike, if continuing to Granite Lakes / Revolution Peak for a longer trip, bring your rain gear, a warm layer and something to dry your hands. Happy trails!

It’s been a few years since we hiked this connector trail. We usually hike it in the shoulder season, this is our first time in the middle of summer. I was surprised how overgrown it is. The trail could definitely use a good brushing out. And it could use a few more boots - we didn’t see anyone on our 5 mile RT hike to the view bench and back. Some plants are growing across the trail, and some are growing right in the middle of the trail. There are also some invasive plants - some blackberry bushes and lots of stink bob.

It’s about 5 miles and 727’ (according to my app), up to the bench and back. Very quiet. We didn’t see any animals, but we heard some nice birdsong and saw a woodpecker. Lots of small streams are still flowing (easy to step across), for the dog to get water. 

The has a gentle grade, rocky surface and is narrow in places because of the vegetation on the side. There are some ripe salmon berries+ that no one seems to be picking. There are some laden thimble berries that should be ripe in a few weeks. I saw one other person on the trail.

Such a fun trail with lots of snacks along the way. We had our fill of salmon berries and enjoyed the small water crossings. The paths are overgrown and are a single file hike but very few other hikers on the trail.

My daughter had the day off for Indigenous Peoples Day and requested a hike.

We chose the Granite Creek Connector Trail to the Granite Creek Trail but both being a bit tired decided not to go all the way to Granite Lakes. These trails are very well marked, and the pull out parking spot is pretty easy to find, just past Mailbox (ZERO cars parked at Mailbox today. Never seen that before).

Its a pretty stretch from Connector to the Granite Creek junction, with a steady but do able climb of about 2.5 miles. Right now, LOTS of gorgeous maples, cottonwoods, vine maples turning fall colors and we took video of alder leaves floating down like snow. No hikers here on this trail beside us so quiet solitude was ours to be had.

Starting at the Connector does add some distance to this hike and we estimated if you do indeed hike all the way to Granite Lakes and return the same way, it will be about 10 plus miles. As it was for us, hiking to the newer Granite Creek Bridge, eating lunch there and heading back to the car via the Connector was about a just under seven miles and four hours total.