Hiking Near Mt. Rainier

HIKING AT CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN
Take in breathtaking views of Mt. Rainier and lush meadows filled with colorful wildflowers. Crystal offers a combination of both easy and difficult trails.

Start your hiking adventure from the summit after a scenic ride up the Mt. Rainier Gondola and choose to hike near the summit or all the way back down to the base. Looking for a challenge? Start your hiking adventure at the base and head up to the summit, or many other destinations within the resort. No need to leave your furry friends behind! Check out the variety of dog-friendly hiking trails available and join us for a family adventure!

Download Summer Trails Map

CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN HIKING TRAILS

Bullion Basin Trail #1156
Park in the lot at Crystal Mountain, start at the Summer Trail Map sign above the Chapel. Hike about ¼ mile straight up the short but steep Gold Hills Road. From there, the trail climbs 1.4 miles through moderate subalpine forest crossing a bridge over a stream where your furry friends can drink. Continue gaining elevation up easy switchbacks, intersecting de-commissioned ski runs from the 1970’s. Once in the Basin, the trees open to a grassy meadow with meandering streams that may be marshy early season. From this point, the trail becomes much steeper and challenging, reaching the Pacific Crest Trail at the ridge in about .8 miles.
Difficulty: Bottom

/ Top

Distance
2.5 Miles
Elevation Gain
2100 Feet

Silver Creek Trail #1192
This popular trail leads to the remote Henskin Lake, prime for fly-fishing or taking a nap in the afternoon sun. Park in the lot at Crystal Mountain and start at the Summer Trail Map sign above the Chapel. Hike up the short steep Gold Hills Road above the Chapel for about ¼ mile. From there, follow the wide trail traversing past a decommissioned avalanche control gun tower. Cross the Gold Hills ski run, under the chair. You will come upon an old gold mine on the steep bank where you will then cross a bridge over a river. Continue up a moderate incline with a few narrow and rocky sections. Upon the stream crossing, follow the sign right to Henskin Lake, taking care while stone-stepping over the water. After another ½ mile you will reach the lake at 5,480 feet, where the sun shines on the shallow water, home to small Brook Trout. Please keep dogs leashed and enjoy the peaceful alpine lake.
Difficulty:

Distance
2.3 Miles
Elevation Gain
1480 Feet

Henskin to Bear Gap Trail #1193
This short, steep and rocky trail starts from the South side of Henskin Lake. Heading East, climb a steep uphill to Bear Gap on the Pacific Crest Trail. From there, trails continue if you are inclined to continue the adventure. Head straight for the moderately steep Bear Gap Trail #976, going for another 2.7 miles, 1,000 feet down the East side to Hwy 410. If you have a car shuttle, turn right (South) for an easy 5 miles past Sheep Lake to Chinook Pass. *Green Trails or Forest Service map required in this area to avoid misdirection.
Difficulty:

Distance
0.7 Miles
Elevation Gain
360 Feet

Crystal Mountain Trail #1163
This exciting and challenging trail starts from Henskin Lake and ends at the summit of Crystal Mountain. From Henskin Lake, meander uphill through sub-alpine forest crossing winter ski runs, creeks and ponds. For those with the energy for extra distance, there are one-way side trips to Upper Henskin Lake and Elizabeth Lake at about ¼ mile up. Exit the South side of the ski area on the narrow and steep trail across the cliffs of Bear Pits. This can be a challenging section. Open up to verdant Powder Bowl with whistling marmots and abundant wildflowers. Continue up a section of the Service Road to gain the summit ridge and admire majestic Mt. Rainier up close. This road leads you to the Green Valley chair, where you take a hairpin turn to get to the Mt. Rainier Gondola, or Summit House for lunch at the end of a big adventure.
Difficulty:

Distance
2.5 Miles
Elevation Gain
1400 Feet
(Silver Creek Trail + Crystal Mountain Trail total from base to summit: 4.9 miles - 2,500 feet elevation gain)

Green Valley to Kelly's Gap Trail
A great out-and-back trail from the top to the base of Green Valley*. Ride the gondola up and head down the ridgeline to the top of the Green Valley chairlift to begin this trail. Cross underneath the chair and head towards Rinky Dink Pass. Admire the great view of the mountains to the north. Meander down Green Valley to meet Kelly’s Gap Road where this trail ends.
*There is the option to continue down along Kelly’s Gap Road to the base, however it is not recommended due to the nature of this rocky, unstable Service Road.
Difficulty: Green Valley

/ Kelly's Gap

Distance
3.3 Miles
Elevation Loss
2,500 Feet

Northway Trail #1163
Ride the gondola up and start from the scenic summit ridge. This is a long, exciting descent for good knees. Cross the ridgeline and follow the trail to the north. Descend through alpine shrub, then pass through second growth and scattered old growth subalpine forests skirting the edge of Mt. Rainier National Park. Catch peak-a-boo views of majestic Mt. Rainier. Continue down the trail with some technical sections that are narrow and steep. Finish at the Lower Northway parking area. To get back to the main base parking lot at Crystal Mountain, drive or walk back up about 2 miles on the Service Road.
Difficulty:

Distance
6.0 Miles
Elevation Loss
2500 Feet

Norse Peak Trail #1191
Park front-in on Crystal Mountain Blvd pull-out, across the street from Gold Hills Road with the yellow gate. This is a fire lane; do not park here. The trailhead is about 200 feet up Gold Hills Road on the left where you will begin up to Norse Peak. This is a difficult and steady climb with steep switchbacks to gain elevation through the sunlit subalpine forest. Pass through the burned remains from the 2017 Norse Peak fire, where wildflowers will abound in season. Turn right at the saddle at the top, where another trail descends to the Pacific Crest Trail on the East side of the crest. Follow the ridge trail up and to the left to reach the true summit. In Norse Peak Wilderness, mountain bikes are not allowed. Enjoy views across the valley of Crystal Mountain with Mt. Rainier towering in the background.
Difficulty:

Distance
6.0 Miles
Elevation Gain
2885 Feet

Wildflowers at Crystal

Below is a listing of common wildflowers found on the trails and meadows around Crystal. How many have you found?

Alpine Aster

Avalanche Lily

Beargrass

Gray's Lovage

Paintbrush

Pearly Everlasting

Pink Mountain Heather

Purple Lupine

Subalpine Daisy

Tiger Lily

Trillium

Western Anemone

Helpful Information

10 Essentials Every Hiker Should Carry

Essentials Gear Guide

Map
Compass (optionally supplemented with a GPS receiver)
Sunglasses and sunscreen
Extra food and water
Extra clothes
Headlamp (outdoor) / flashlight
First aid kit
Fire starter
Matches
Knife

Hiking Etiquette

Please obey standard hiking etiquette when on the trail.
Bikers yield to hikers and horses. Hikers yield to horses.
Stay on the trail. Do not cut switchbacks or take shortcuts.
When overtaking someone, let them know you are approaching and will be passing on their left.
Whenever you stop for a view, a rest, or to yield, move off the trail so it is free for others. If you are selecting the spot for a rest, get off on a used area or a durable surface such as a rock, dirt, or snow. Don’t trample off the trail into a nice soft field of grass and flowers.
When hiking in a group, hike single file or take no more than half of a wide trail. Make sure everyone in your group understands what actions to take when encountering hikers, bikers, and horses.
When meeting a horse: Get off the trail on the downhill side. Quietly greet the rider and ask if you are ok where you are. Stand quietly while the horses pass.
Don’t leave any markers when hiking off-trail. Cairns, ducks, or little piles of rocks are not needed.
Read trail head guidelines. There may be specific rules for the trail you are on.
Pack It In/Pack It Out. Respect the natural environment and carry out all of your trash, even biodegradable items such as banana peels. It is not good for animals to eat non-native plants/foods and who wants to look at your old banana peel while it ever-so-slowly decomposes? If you packed it in, pack it out.
Take only pictures. A pretty rock or a bunch of flowers deserve to remain where they are. The only souvenirs a hiker should come home with are photographs and happy memories — and maybe an improved fitness level!
Most hikers you encounter on the trail will be friendly; a “hello” or “how’s it going?” is sufficient. Sometimes you’ll meet a hiker who may not welcome a greeting; if so, continue hiking and let them go by.

Hiking FAQ

HIKING FAQ
Q: Where can I hike from at Crystal Mountain?
A: There are options from both the base area and the summit, all with varying degrees of difficulty.

Q: Do I need to pay for hiking?
A: No! Hiking comes at no cost, however, if you would like to use the Mt. Rainier Gondola you will have to purchase a lift ticket.

Q: What else is there to do at Crystal?
A: Check out all of our activities on our summer page

Ruff Weekend is on July 4th - 6th! See here for details on this awesome event for you and your pup. Note: the Summit House will close early (last seating 2pm) Friday and Saturday.

An amazing destination for hiking and exploration around Mt. Rainier.

Wildflowers at Crystal

10 Essentials Every Hiker Should Carry

Hiking Etiquette

Hiking FAQ