Parish Hikes

   

Hike #8: Crystal Peak Hike

The hike to Crystal Peak is a favorite for parish hikers, with the first part of the trail being the same as that which goes to popular Crystal Lakes. A lot of this hike is in the high open with fabulous views. Starting in a deep forest, the Crystal Peak trail breaks off the Crystal Lakes trail after about a mile and a half. The full hike is a 7 mile round trip that gains 3,100 feet in elevation and a high point of 6,595 feet. While Crystal Peak is not quite as difficult as the energetic Norse Peak hike, it definitely does take some stamina to make it to the top of the mountain. But what views the top provides on a clear day!

Superb setting
Crystal Peak (not to be confused with Crystal Mt. Ski Area) is fully situated within Mt. Rainier National Park. Since the trail starts right off highway 410, there is no park fee. Pets are not allowed on the trail, however. After the above mentioned trail junction, the trail leaves the forest in about another half mile of lovely hiking. Once in the clear, hikers are afforded some of the most "in your face" views of Mt. Rainier possible. During the flower season the upper meadows contain a rich variety of wild flowers. We can hope that some are still blooming on hike day. What would really be a blessing for those who make the summit, would be for a very clear day with no atmospheric haze. On super-clear days, hikers can enjoy vistas that stretch from Mt Baker and Glacier Peak in the north to Mt. Adams and Mt. Hood to the south. Of course, Mt. Rainier dominates the entire scene. Distant views of the Olympics and the mountains in the eastern portion of the State round out the visual perspective.

Take your pick of turn around points
Be ready for "up" — lots of it. From the moment the trail starts it switch-backs relentlessly upward all the way to the summit. The nice thing is that on the way down, the trail is just as persistent in its descent. The tread underfoot is soft and easy. This is typical of well-maintained national parks trails.

Less energetic hikers should try to make it at least three quarters of a mile. At this point there is a break in the cooling trees and Mt. Rainier is out in all of it's splendor. Stop here for an early lunch and enjoy the view before returning to your car.

Medium energetic folks might want to go to the trail junction. Take the Crystal Peak branch of the trail and walk only two hundred feet to a beautiful small stream. This is a lovely, shaded place to enjoy lunch before heading back down hill.

Those with a tad more energy yet, might want to cross the stream, and go another half mile. You will cross a rocky slope with a finely constructed stone wall forming the edge of the trail. Go through a bit more forest until you finally leave the densely packed trees. Then with full Mt. Rainier views, sit back and drink in the views while eating lunch.

Those who still have energy will want to go for the summit. The trail, while narrow and not regularly maintained, is easy and in very good condition. The energy output and summit views are worth the early starting time. Sometimes there are biting insects on top, so a repellant might not be a bad idea. Summit folks can look straight down (literally) to the Crystal Lakes, the end point of many previous parish hikes.

How to get there
The Crystal Lakes hike is 46 miles from church. Go to Enumclaw and take Highway 410 east (410 west will take you to Buckley). The highway goes through lovely scenery, much of it part of the enormous former Weyerhaeuser Cascade Tree Farm. Keep on going past the entrance to Crystal Mountain Resort. Drive under the log arch that marks the Mt. Rainier National Park boundary and keep on going. At this point you are exactly four miles from the parking area for the Crystal Peak hike.

The trail sign (an icon of a hiking person with a backpack on) used to be mounted directly on the edge of the highway. Since the trail now starts from the left hand parking area, the trail sign has been moved to that parking area. The parking to the right of the highway is much larger. If you get to the road junction that takes you to Sunrise and White River Campground, you have gone too far. Turn around and drive back down the highway a short distance. There are no toilets at the trailhead so be prepared to use the bushes, if necessary.

There can be a lot of slow traffic on Highway 410. Allow more time than usual to get to the parking area. Sometimes 35 miles an hour is the fastest you can go on weekends. Nerves will be spared by an early departure from home. Leave early and enjoy a tailgate breakfast.

What to bring
Even if the day is cool, it is more comfortable to hike in shorts. Do bring a light jacket, long sleeve shirt and wind shell to put on while stopping to rest or eat. Mountain weather can change rapidly and a warm morning can turn into a very cool afternoon.

Bring healthy snacks. Candy doesn't do much for energy. Protein is much better. The trail is dry. So it is essential that each person should bring at least a quart of water. Do not try to get by with a can of soda. When hiking it is necessary to take frequent sips of water. Soda only makes a person thirstier and once the can is open it cannot be easily carried.