Hiking & Biking

Crystal Mountain offers access to a vast network of hiking and biking trails from easy to strenuous starting at the resort. Take a ride on the Mt. Rainier Gondola (bikes are not currently allowed on the gondola but dogs are) to the summit of Crystal Mountain to hike along the ridgeline or down one of the few trails. Or start your active adventure from the base and hike or bike up to nearby lakes, streams, wildflower meadows or Washington’s highest restaurant, the Summit House.

Leashed dogs are welcome on the gondola and the hiking trails!
Please pickup after your pet and keep them on leashes and with you at all times.

Trail maps will be available to download here
View the Forest Service Recreation Map
View the Forest Service List of nearby Hiking & Biking Trails
Please respect our Hiking Etiquette

Road Biking

The Crystal Mountain Blvd is a 6 mile, steep, narrow, windy paved road with some unpaved shoulders. It is advised to keep a safe speed while traveling down this access road.

From the bottom of the Crystal Mountain Blvd you may head east on Highway 410 to access the northeast entrance to Mt. Rainier National Park. It is 20 miles with an elevation gain of 3,650 feet to the Sunrise Visitor Center from this entrance. It is 29 miles to the city of Enumclaw if you head west on Highway 410. Both directions offer scenic views of Mt. Rainier, the White River, old growth trees, wildlife and waterfalls.

Crystal Mountain Hiking and Biking Trails

Please note that patches of snow exists in the dense forests. Last updated 8/20/11

Crystal Mountain Trail (#1163)
Easy to Moderate Hiking, Mountain Biking*
Ride gondola or hike to top of Crystal Mountain. Walk down service road to trail that takes off from the first switchback. Trail takes you across upper Lucky Shot ski slope, across the side of Silver Queen, through Campbell Basin, skirts five beautiful lakes (including Henskin) to Jim Town (an old mining camp). Take Silver Creek trail to the valley floor and the Crystal Mountain base area.

Northway Trail (#1163)
Easy to Moderate Hiking, Mountain Biking*
Ride gondola or hike to top of Crystal Mountain. Walk to the north down service road to the trail. Continue north along the ridge. Return along the ridge trail to the base area, or proceed to Sandflats Horse Camp at Lower Northway. Finish at lower chairlift using service road and trail to return to the base area.

Kelly’s Gap Road
Easy Descent Hiking, Mountain Biking*
Ride gondola or hike to the top of Crystal Mountain. As you approach the top of the Rainier Express, you will notice a large bowl to your right. This is Green Valley. There is no definite trail originating from the Summit, so just wind your way down through the valley until you reach the base of the chairlift that serves the area. From here, follow the service road back down to the base area. This walk affords you a delightful view of the village complex.

Bullion Basin Trail (#1156)
Strenuous Hiking Only
This starts in the upper C parking lot just north of the Crystal Chalet Condominiums. Look for the USFS trailhead sign. Follow the signs at the trail intersections and you will ultimately end up on the Pacific Crest Trail.

Bear Gap to Bullion Basin Trail
Moderate to Strenuous Hiking Only
Hike 3/4 of the way up Gold Hills. Take the Silver Creek Trail (#1192) to Jim Town, the Bear Gap. At Bear Gap go left on the Pacific Crest Trail to Pickhandle Ridge, Crown Point, Blue Bell Pass, and down the old tractor road to Bullion Basin (#1156), then back to the base area.

Henskin Lake Trail (#1193)
Moderate Hiking, Mountain Biking
Walk 3/4 of the way up Gold Hills to Silver Creek Trail, then to Jim Town, cross the creek and follow trail to Henskin Lake.

Norse Peak Trail (#1193)
Strenuous Hiking Only
Start from Crystal Mountain road at Ski Area boundary. Approximately 4 1/2 miles long, mostly uphill.

Chinook Pass to Crystal Mountain (#1163)
Easy to Moderate Hiking Only
Use two vehicles for one-way hike. Park one vehicle at Crystal Mountain. Drive to Chinook Pass. Take the Pacific Crest Trail where the wooden bridge goes over the highway. Trail goes north and parallels Highway 410 towards Yakima for awhile. Hike 2 miles to Sheep Lake (nice place to eat lunch), then three miles to Bear Gap via Sourdough Gap. Take Silver Creek Trail down to Gold Hills chairlift and base area.

All trails and service roads in this area are closed to motorized use. The Pacific Crest Trail is closed to Mountain Bikes.

Family Friendly Trails near Crystal Mountain

Tipsoo Lake At the top of Chinook Pass in Mt. Rainier National Park
Travel East on Highway 410 into Mt. Rainier National Park from the bottom of the Crystal Mountain Blvd. Once you reach the top of Chinook Pass Tipsoo is just a few hundred meters from the summit. A beautiful sight to behold, this little alpine gem is one of the most photographed landscapes in the country. Hike the short nature trail around the lake and witness the outstanding views of Mt. Rainier and the Cascade Mountains. A picnic area is also located here.

John Muir Nature Trail (ADA Accessible)
This 1/2 mile trail starts at the Dalles Campground (approximately 3 miles West of Crystal Mountian Blvd off Highway 410). Turn into the Dalles Campground and go straight 300 feet to the picnic shelter. Follow the loop to left another 300 feet to the trailhead on the right. This interpretive trail winds through large old-growth timber and is open to hikers, dogs on leashes and wheelchairs.

Dalles River View Trail
Take the family to see the “Big Tree,” a 9 foot diameter old growth Douglas-fir tree that is over 700 years old. This trail begins at the west end of the Dalles Campground loop at the beginning of the Dalles River View trail. Travel appoximately 3 miles East of the Crystal Mountain Blvd to the entrance to the Dalles Campground.