Fun Summer Activities

Scenic Chairlift Rides (Sundays Only):

The Chinook Express and Rainier Express chairlifts will be open Sundays only carrying sightseers and hikers to the summit of Crystal Mountain. As the chairlifts climb 2,500’ up the mountain, guests travel through scenic glades filled with wildflowers, soar over bubbling brooks and get a bird’s-eye-view of wildlife such as deer, elk and fox. At the Summit House, the spectacular view includes not only majestic Mt. Rainier, but the peaks of Mount Adams, Mount Saint Helens, Mount Baker and Mount Hood as well. Once at the top, guests can choose to ride the lift back to the base area or hike down. Learn More

Hiking & Biking Trails

Wind your way through lush pine forests, past quiet streams or through wide-open meadows of wildflowers. Crystal Mountain accesses a vast network of hiking trails from easy to strenuous. Trail maps are available download (see above) or at the area.

Crystal Mountain Trail (#1163)
Easy to Moderate Hiking, Mountain Biking*
Ride lifts 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 lifts 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 lifts 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*l
Moderate to Strenuous Hiking Only
Hike 3/4 of the way up the C-7 hill. 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 the C-7 hill 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 C-7 and base area.

• Mountain bikes are not uploaded on the chairlifts. All trails and service roads in this area are closed to motorized use. The Pacific Crest Trail is closed to Mountain Bikes.

Horseback Riding

Ride with Crystal Mountain Outfitters through the solitude and spectacular scenery of the Cascade Range. Glacier-fed streams, alpine meadows covered with wild flowers, unspoiled mountain lakes of the Norse Peak Wilderness, and the Wenatchee National Forest. The fragrance of pine and spruce blends with flowers, berries, and tundra grass. The creak of saddle leather measures your quiet, relaxed journey under snow-capped peaks and lazy skies. Learn more or call (509) 895-9120 to make a reservation.

Scenic Drives

Mount Rainer
Crystal Mountain is located just 6 miles from the NE entrance to Mount Rainier National Park and the drive from Crystal to the Mt. Rainier Sunrise Visitors Center is as scenic as it gets. At an elevation of 6,400 feet, Sunrise is the highest point that can be reached by vehicle at Mount Rainier National Park. In summer, mountain meadows abound with wildflowers. On clear days, Sunrise provides breathtaking views of Mount Rainier, Emmons glacier, and many other volcanoes in the Cascade Range. These views and an excellent trail system make Sunrise the second most visited location in the park. Hiking around Sunrise is beautiful with easy to strenuous options.

Chinook Scenic Byway
As an All American Road, the Chinook Scenic Byway is guided by majestic Mount Rainier as the corridor traverses the mighty Cascade Range between Naches and Enumclaw, Crystal Mountain is located in the middle just a short 6 miles up the Crystal Mountain Boulevard off Hwy 410.

Camping

Recreational vehicle hook ups are available for $20 per night. Camping is permitted in the RV area for no charge. For the more adventurous, Crystal Mountain’s trails access high-country terrain for backpackers.

Horseshoes

Throw shoes in the grassy meadow in front of the Snorting Elk Cellar, surrounded by tall fir trees & beautiful wildflowers. Free for everyone.

Swimming

Guests staying at Alta Crystal Resort or Crystal Mountain Lodging Suites will enjoy a heated outdoor swimming pool. Must be a hotel guest to use the pool.