Six Summer Hikes at Crystal Mountain, WA You Will Love
As a long time, Crystal Mountain skier, I have always been drawn to the lush alpine surrounding the ski area, where I hike each summer with my partner, Tom. While Mount Rainier National Park boasts spectacular hikes, incredible scenery, and fantastic wildflowers, it also attracts big crowds.
Crystal Mountain, 100 miles south of Seattle, is six miles up Crystal Mountain Boulevard, off Highway 410, just before the park's north entrance. Mt Rainier views are second to none, colorful wildflowers abound after the snowmelt and the hiking trails are varied and numerous. For the most part, they can be enjoyed without crowds!
Crystal Mtn hiking map - zoom in!
I frequented Crystal Mountain hikes, for years, with Molly, my lab/retriever. Dogs are allowed at Crystal Mountain but not in National Parks.
Many visitors come to Crystal in the summer to ride the “new” gondola (opened January 1, 2011), drink in the incredible view of Mt Rainier and do a short hike from the summit. But there is so much more to explore.
Here are six hikes which we think you will love, listed from short to long. While an avid skier in the winter, I choose hiking on trails not ski slopes, in the summer. Distances and elevation gain are round trip unless otherwise stated.
1. Bullion Basin – 3 miles, 1200 feet (or 4.5 miles, 1500 feet, up to the ridge)
Crystal Mountain, WA
This hike is a “quickie” for a good workout in a short amount of time – a couple hours. It was a Molly favorite. It continues as one of our favorites because the basin is always so green and peaceful - the views from the ridge are fabulous. However, a portion of the trail is now dusty and rocky from years of use by the commercial horse outfitter at the base.
Begin at the Silver Creek Trailhead, #1192, which is just to the left, east, of the chapel, at the base of the ski area. Your heart will begin pounding as you go straight up the ski slope for a short distance. Once to the gravel road follow it further up to the Bullion Basin Trail, #1156. After you cross a creek on a little wooden bridge you know you are on the right trail and there are no more intersections.
Halfway up you will get your first glimpse of the full ski area to your west – love this! You are almost to the basin when you hit a steep section in the shade of the cedar, hemlock and Douglas fir forest.
The basin is a great place for a snack or lunch. Take in the ridgeline that surrounds the basin. From here you can decide whether to go back down or head up the trail to your left and enjoy the vistas (ski area and Mt Rainier) and wildflowers from the ridge.
2. Henskin Lake – 6 miles, 1000 feet (or 8 miles, 1400 feet up to Lake Elizabeth)
Silver Creek Trail Crystal Mtn, WA
This is a beautiful hike that “has it all” from wonderful wildflowers and a deep forest to wild creeks and an alpine lake. You will even see an abandoned gold mine along the way!
Begin at the Silver Creek Trailhead, #1192, as you would in hike #1. Continue to follow the Silver Creek Trail up and to your right – do not take the Blue Bell trail, a snowshoe trail. A short distance after the trail flattens out you will pass the remnants of an old ski lift before crossing the open wildflower fields of Gold Hill. You will then enter the forest and pass the abandoned gold mine and cross a picturesque creek on a short wooden bridge.
From here you will gradually climb in the forested shade for a mile until you hit a 3-way intersection. Take the Henskin Lake Trail, # 1193 for .6 miles up to the lake. Time here is serene except when it gets buggy. Bring a lightweight fly rod if so inclined.
You can choose to take the Crystal Mountain Trail up to Lake Elizabeth (1 mile and 400 feet) or go down the way you came. The Crystal Mountain Trail continues to the summit once past Lake Elizabeth primarily on ski slopes – not my fav.
3. Crystal Mountain Summit via Northway Trail, one way – 6 miles, 2000 feet
This hike takes you gradually up to a ridge looking west to Mt Rainier’s Tahoma and the White River.
Our friend, Katie, at the Northway Trail ridge, Crystal Mountain, WA
As you gain elevation the shaded young forest transitions from hemlock to fir. You will skirt impressive cliffs before the trail opens to meadows where you can see across Crystal Mountain Boulevard to Norse Peak and Castle Mountain. I love it in the fall when the scrub oak turns to bright red!
Once to the ridge you will turn left, north, and follow the ridgeline. My favorite powder runs are off to your left and more wonderful vistas are on your right.
The final slog takes you past Northway chair and Green Valley via a gravel road up to the summit house and gondola. Here is where you wonder how a flat “cat track” can be such a challenging hike. You can ride the gondola down, for a fee, even with your dog, go back down the way you came up or continue on to the Crystal Mountain trail making a big loop.
Another option, especially when the ridge has snow, or on a busy day, is to hike up to the ridge and back down. We rarely see people on this hike until the summit. But, beware of occasional mountain bikes and horses!
The hike begins 2 miles down Crystal Mountain Boulevard. Turn west on the south side of the bridge at and park at the dead end – you will see the trail. (This is the lot where the bus picked us up before Northway lift was built.)
Remember, if you do not come back down this way, you will have to get a ride or add 2 miles of walking on the road to get your car!
4. Henskin, Bear Gap, Pickhandle Basin, Bullion Basin loop – 8 miles, 2000 feet
Mt Rainer, WA
This is a great loop which combines everything we love about hiking at Crystal while staying away from crowds and out of the ski area.
Follow the directions from hike #2 to Henskin Lake. Take the Bear Gap Trail, #967, from the southeast corner of the lake and continue .7 miles slightly uphill.
At Bear Gap you will run into the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) #2000. We often get to chat with through hikers at this intersection – fun! Follow the PCT for a little over a mile to Pickhandle Gap on the sunny backside. Molly got overheated here in her later years, so beware. Views of Mt Adams are to your right, south, while Mt Rainier dominates to the west.
Once at Pickhandle Gap continue on the PCT to the ridge above Bullion Basin and then drop down into the basin and follow hike #1 backwards.
Directions are crucial on this hike, but it is a super one!
5. Chinook Pass to Crystal Mountain Resort, one way – 9 miles, 1400 feet (descent)
This hike is a stunner! It begins at spectacular Chinook Pass, includes gorgeous Sheep Lake and crosses majestic Sourdough Gap before crossing the west facing slopes down to Crystal which are prime wildflower habitat.
Sheep Lake, Chinook Pass, WA
Unfortunately, you will need to shuttle a car on this one but do not forget your keys. We forgot them once! From Crystal drive back down to Highway 410 and enter the Park, drive eight miles to the top of Cayuse Pass and then follow the signs to Chinook Pass, another three miles.
If you have time, enjoy Lake Tipsoo and Naches Loop (3 miles), especially if the wildflowers are blooming. We like to park at the top of Chinook Pass, across Highway 410 from the trailhead. There is a restroom in the trailhead parking lot.
The hike begins on flat switchbacks in full sun and continues up through the forest to picturesque Sheep Lake at about 2 miles. Take a little time to enjoy the lake before climbing up to and over Sourdough Gap. I always like to eat my sandwich at Sourdough Gap while taking in the incredible views to the south and north!
From here you will but on south facing slopes until Bear Gap, a five-way intersection. Make sure and go down to Crystal via the Silver Creek Trail – do not go to Henskin Lake or Bullion Basin.
The rest of the hike is primarily downhill crossing fantastic fields of wildflowers among rock outcroppings.You can also do this hike from Crystal to Chinook Pass as an ascent.
Once back to Crystal do not forget to go get your car!
6. Norse Peak – 9 miles, 2900 feet
Unfortunately, Norse Peak became famous for its big fire which started August 11, 2017. Crystal Mountain Resort may have been lost if it not for a change in wind direction!
Burn area at Norse Peak, WA
Begin at Gold Hill Road, on the Crystal Mountain Boulevard about 2 miles down from the resort. It is a gravel road. Walk .2 miles up to Norse Peak Trail, to begin the hike.
The trail follows some nice switchbacks and flattens out in some sections, so the climb is manageable.
The hike begins in a shaded forest of hemlock, cedar and Douglas fir and climbs to the burn area. In one mile you will get your first view of Mt Rainier towering over the resort to the west. At mile three stay right at the Goat Lake Trail intersection. The trail has been re-routed to limit erosion – stay on the main trail. At mile four the final scramble begins to the ridge.
During wildflower season the lupine have become abundant in the burn area, their fragrance permeating the air. However, the burn area gets quite hot and there is no water source on the trail so bring lots of water.
Because of its south facing slopes this is one of the first hikes to open in the spring!
If you go:
Depending on the year, hiking season is mid-July through mid-October.
Be sure to consult the weather. Our favorite is the NOAA site.
Bring the ten essentials including extra layers. Weather changes quickly in the mountains.
Some of the slopes are exposed to the sun and hiking can get hot. Make sure to bring plenty of water!
Remember that you are hiking at altitude, 5000-7000 feet.
Your camera (or phone) is a must!
The base of Crystal has public restrooms but does not have a market or grocery.
Consult Crystal Mountain for conditions and activities.
You might also enjoy Tom’s Top Ten Wildflower Hikes in Mt Rainer National Park
Or check out Five Coastal Walks You’ll Love Between Manzanita and Nehalem, OR + Five Favorite Beach Walks in and Around Seattle
