The return to hiking... and the return to Granite Mountain

This time Im writing this hike information sooner after the hike so it is a more detailed information. We decided to return to Granite Mountain after reports of the summit being clear of snow and after I was recovering from a sprained ankle. Woke up that morning around 0645 and left the house at around 0720. Took exit 47 and got to the trailhead at around 0815. Even though we did this hike late in August and 'early', the trailhead parking lot was almost full. The first mile is pretty easy. Once you reach the wooden sign you are probably a mile into the hike but only maybe 500 ft of elevation gain. After this point, the hike turns into a steep climb. Once you reach mile 2, around the wooden sign of the Snoqualmie forest (3300 ft), the hike gets steeper an open which adds to the extra challenge on a nice warm summer day.
At this point you are halfway up the hike. After another mile you start traversing the mountain and the hike gets less steep, almost flat at some spots, with some really nice views of Rainier to your left.
It was incredible to see how different the mountain looks without snow. The top section was completely clear. The trail will take you around the area where we stop last time through the avalanche chute, a very different route than when there is snow present. We thought we were close to the end last time but the hike continues with another mile around the back of the lookout point. Once you start going behind the lookout peak, the trail gets full of lots of bugs that were enjoying the lack of wind and the puddles of water left behind by the melting snow. Gotta say that the last mile was my least favorite but the bugs do push you to rush to the end of the trail trying to find relief from the bug paradise but the bugs stay with you all the way until the top. Once in the top, you get some beautiful views of Rainier, Glacier Peak, Baker, Adams and the nearby peaks in the Snoqualmie. I reached the summit at around 1135.
The way down went pretty fast. You are basically running until you get back into the woods where the bugs are less and the sun is not beating down on you so much. Overall the hike felt a little more difficult this time. That extra mile was really something and I think I would add .5 to this hike but a 4 is probably what Granite deserves... Definitely not a total beginner's hike, good challenge for intermediate hikers and probably a good hike for intense hikers.
Got to the car at around 215. The ankle was a bit soar but nothing major. It did made me stop multiple times on the way down but no issues on the way up... Good times!