Hiked to Upper Granite Lake, starting from the Granite Connector Trail (this adds 3-4 miles r/t).

Road Conditions. Paved road, no facilities at the trailhead.

Trail Conditions. The Granite Connector Trail is starting to get a bit overgrown. Quite a few stream crossings, but all were easy to rock-hop across. Near the lake, the trail got a bit confusing: Ended up climbing over some rocks, and following one of several social trails until reaching a nice spot by the lake. 

Crowds. Encountered maybe a dozen parties, all on the main Granite Creek Trail.

Our group of five senior hikers drove up the Middle Fork Road out of North Bend to the Granite Creek Connector Trail parking lot (room for about 4 or 5 cars) about a 1/4 mile past the Mailbox Peak Parking area to begin our trip. After gearing up we headed up the trail. This trail is on an old DNR logging road that had been converted to a single-track trail by the DNR in 2012. The trail is in good shape, and any blown down trees have been cut out. After getting up past the second switchback be started having some mountain views. There are many small creek crossings, a few larger ones that have rocks to step on, plus one steel girder bridge over a larger stream. When we got up to the viewpoint with a log sofa bench, we stopped for a snack break. From here we could see Mt. Teneriffe, Green Mtn. and Bessemer Mtn., plus the Middle Fork Valley.

We continued up the trail to the junction with the Granite Creek Trail coming up from the larger parking lot. We went as far as the steel girder bridge over Granite Creek. The creek has a lot of water going down stream this time of year with the snow melt higher up. We took some photos, then headed back down the trail and stopped for lunch at the log sofa with a view. After eating we hiked back to the trailhead. Along the way we could see over to Rattlesnake Mtn. Only met two other hikers, both on the Granite Creek Trail, no one on the Connector Trail. So, no crowds on this hike. We heard a few birds chirping, but did not see any. Our hike was 6.5 miles round trip with about 1,100' of gain. George

I hiked the Granite Creek connector trail today with friends. We entered near the mailbox trailhead parking exiting at the granite lake trailhead. The trail is in good shape. It is clear of obstacles. 

Had intended to hike to Franklin Falls but the snow park and trail are closed today.  The parking lot for this Connector trail is very small.  There were approximately 9 cars and it was full.  There is intermittent wet snow/exposed ground starting at the trail head.  We proceeded with boots and poles for 0.5 miles, then decided to put on spikes for efficiency.  Trail had been tracked out and there is maybe 6 inches at its deepest.  Streams were running well and crossings doable.  Only 1 posed a little challenge to stay dry.  We had full boots and gaiters on which help.  The forest was beautiful, especially some very large swaths of lichen on the sides of the trail in one area.  There was no snow falling from the trees but lots of water when we reached the trail intersection with the Granite Creek lakes trail.  We had a snack and turned around at the intersection.  Had lots of solitude on the damp wintry trail today.  It was better than joining the many people at Tiger mountain today as witnessed by the cars on the frontage road near the Cable line trail.  Lots of wet snow out there today.  Felt great to get some fresh air and light.

Looks like someone has cleared the downed trees - saw fresh cuts with sawdust nearby. Only went about 1/4 mile up from road before turning back to find other areas to clear.