Summer Fun in the Mountains

Wildflowers, hiking, mountain bike trails, huckleberry picking, so much to do!

Crystal Mountain and adjacent Mt. Rainier National Park offer limitless summer recreational opportunities. Hiking, mountain biking, mountaineering, wildlife and wildflower viewing are all within close access of our facilities. Crystal Mountain is surrounded by wilderness - both Mt. Rainier National Park and US Forest Service areas offer over 250,000 acres of wilderness. The Sunrise side of Rainier (our side) gives you wonderful views of the Emmons Glacier, the largest glacier anywhere in the lower 48.

Mt. Rainier National Park:

There’s nothing like Mt. Rainier. At 14,410 feet, it is the tallest volcano and 5^th highest peak in the contiguous U.S. - and close-up views are breathtaking!  Crystal Mountain Hotels offers very convenient access to Mt. Rainier National Park where the hiking, wildlife viewing and site seeing opportunities are limitless.  Head up the Glacier Basin trail and see climbers going up and down the mountain, go to Sunrise for some of the best views in the park, don’t miss the Ice Cream at the Sunrise Lodge!! A trip to Tipsoo Lake and the Chinook Pass National Scenic Byway should not be missed.  The Ohanapecosh and Paradise areas are easily accessible from Crystal Mountain.

Hiking:

Hike from your door to the Pacific Crest Trail and possibly see someone hiking from Mexico to Canada.  Go up the Norse Peak Trail for incredible views of Mt. Rainier and continue on into the wilderness further than you can imagine. The whole family can take an adventure trip and hike from Chinook Pass back to Crystal Mountain. Like Waterfalls? Go visit Snoquera Falls or hike the Suspension Bridge across the White River to Skookum Falls. Are you tired yet? There are plenty more and the best thing is that you can come and relax back at Crystal Mountain and enjoy the Alpine Inn Restaurant and Snorting Elk Cellar.

Mountain Biking:

Crystal Mountain and the surrounding areas offers both World Class Mountain Biking and Road Riding right out your front door.  For Mountain Biking, Experts can take the Crystal Mountain Loop up through the Bear Pit and Powder bowl to the Crystal Mountain Summit.  Then hold on for a wild ride down the Northway Trail. Skookum Flats, Suntop, Ranger - some of the top rides anywhere- are all here. Looking for something a little slower? Miles and miles of Forest Service Roads and trails offer hours of fun for the whole family.

Scenic Drives:

Any way you drive up into our spectacular valley, the drive will be outstanding for scenery and wildlife viewing. Driving to Crystal puts you on a designated "All American Road and National Scenic Byway."

"Travel the Glacier-fed White River from Enumclaw, over Chinook and Cayuse Passes, to the fertile valleys of Naches in Central Washington. Spectaular views of Mt. Rainier , dense forests , towering peaks, rocky ridges, and river canyons dominate this journey. Pass by the unique Basalt flows of the Columbia Plateau, lush sub alpine meadows, and waterfalls."

visit the website for more info

Road Cycling:

Road Biking doesn't get better than this! Looking to climb? Climb the highest paved road in Washington that winds up to Sunrise at Mt Rainier and take in awesome up close views of the mountain. Looking for sunnier weather? Take the windy road up to Chinook Pass and fly down the other side towards Yakima where the climate instantly changes. Then there's Cayuse Pass, Stevens Canyon and so much more.....

Horseback Riding:

Take a guided Horseback Tour of the Cascade Mountains with Circle C Outfitters. Visit www.circlecoutfitters.com or call (253) 677-2195. Short rides, half day, dinner and all day rides are available.

Disc Golf:

Crystal’s incredibly fun disc golf course is back! 18 holes are great for everyone. Disc golf is a great way to enjoy your day on the mountain while getting some exercise. Experienced disc golfers will, of course, want to bring their own “bag” of discs -- otherwise, discs are available for sale and rent at the Snorting Elk Cellar and Village Inn Hotel Registration office.