Crystal Lakes and Crystal Peak

Drove up Hwy 410 to the north entrance of Mt Rainier National Park to hike up to Crystal Lakes and Crystal Peak for 12 miles and 4,150 ft of gain. These trails share the same trailhead and the first 1.4 miles of trail. Log bridge crossing Crystal Creek at the beginning of the trail.

There were wildflowers along the mostly forested trail, here bunchberries and pacific coralroot.

Trail split, since it was very cloudy, I opted to head to the left and up to Crystal Lakes first.

Shortly before the turnoff to Lower Crystal Lake, the trail goes through this small meadow with a view up to Crystal Peak.

The magenta paintbrush are in bloom!

First view of Upper Crystal Lake

I had never hiked all around this lake before and decided today was a good day to do so. Wide Ange view near the creek outlet.

I went counterclockwise, starting off to the east side of the lake. This is not the main trail and is narrow in parts.

Pano looking across the lake

As the snow melts, the trails around the lake are very wet and muddy. It is important to walk in the mud/water and not trample the wildflower habitat.

view back towards the south end of the lake.

This was the only tricky section, one slip and I would have ended up in the lake.

Boulder field on the north end of the lake, where I saw a marmot.

zoom of the marmot

view across the lake to Crystal Peak

very wet trail on the west side of the lake

pink heather and a view of Crystal Peak

pano of Upper Crystal Lake from back near the outlet

lovely lake reflection

On my way back down the trail, I took the short spur trail to Lower Crystal Lake

Hiked 1,000 ft back down to the Y and headed east on the Crystal Peak trail, it soon crosses Crystal Creek on a log bridge. View from the bridge, so many downed trees over the creek.

The trail continues through the trees for most of the next mile, with some openings to view Mt Rainier.

Further up, there was lots of beargrass in bloom in the open meadow.

Looking up hill

Lovely lupine view 

Paintbrush to brighten this trail as it continues up and up.

Before the last switchback, I turned around and saw Mt Adams in the far distance.

zoom of Mt Adams and some of the Goat Rock peaks

Way down below is the smaller Lower Crystal Lake

The last bit of trail to the peak is steep.

View from Crystal Peak looking north to Upper Crystal Lake. Nice place for a late lunch break.

Another view of Mt Rainier as I headed back down the trail.

And much further down, about 0.7 mile from the trailhead, a few of Rainier from the end of a switchback. It had been too cloudy to see this view earlier this morning when I hiked up.

butterfly that joined me on top of Crystal Peak

some of the wildflowers seen along the trails today: