Burroughs Mountain
3 weeks ago
Smoke and wind are present now
4 this month · 100 reports
Crystal Lakes
Mount Rainier Area
updated 1 week ago
The Crystal Lakes trail is currently experiencing significant snow, making travel difficult in some sections. Reports from November 3 and November 1 indicate snowfields that can be challenging, with depths reaching up to a foot and a half at the lakes. While a bootpath is generally present, expertise and gear like microspikes are recommended. The road access is suitable for all vehicles as of November 3, but reports from October 31 mention snow and ice on the road beyond the Sunrise Road junction, advising caution. Fall colors were noted as starting in late September and early October, but current reports focus on snow conditions.
Generated from 52 trip reports. Trails change faster than reports do, so check anything you’d turn around for.
What hikers ask about Crystal Lakes
Generated from the most recent trip reports, newest 1 week ago. Check anything you’d turn around for.
Snow is significant, with reports from November 3 and November 1 indicating snowfields and depths up to 1.5 feet at the lakes. A bootpath exists, but gear and expertise are recommended for crossing snow-covered sections.
Yes, the road is suitable for all vehicles according to reports from November 3 and November 1. However, one report from October 31 notes snow and ice beyond the Sunrise Road junction, suggesting caution.
Fall colors were reported as starting in late September and September 20, with brighter colors noted near the lakes by September 20. Reports from October 12 also mention a light dusting of snow in shaded areas, indicating a transition away from peak fall colors.
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Trail notes generated from recent reports. Conditions change fast.
Sources
Recent1 week ago
Mount Rainier Area > NE - Sunrise/White River
I did this hike in the summer and bagged the peak then headed down and back up to the lakes. Didn't quite make it to the peak in snow. I turned around at 6000 ft. not because it wasn't doable but beca...
Recent1 week ago
Mount Rainier Area > NE - Sunrise/White River
An incredible amount of snow up there for early November! Wow! I was grateful to those who forged a trail on Saturday. Felt very spoiled yesterday to have such a gorgeous day and a blazed trail. :)I a...
Recent1 week ago
Mount Rainier Area > NE - Sunrise/White River
Bottom Line:Beautiful Halloween sunrise at Upper Tipsoo Lake, now completely snow/ice covered. What a difference from just a week ago where we were taking Rainier reflection shots on the lake! The con...
Recent4 weeks ago
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
Spent the weekend in Yakima, taking 410 from the West side. We had planned this hike for Friday, but conditions around 10 am were low clouds and drizzle. We stopped at the trailhead and there were a...
Older1 month ago
Mount Rainier Area > NE - Sunrise/White River
Decided on a fairly easy hike today. Much to our surprise, no one was at the Lake for over 45 minutes. One person took up residents with a chair and a Jetboil with a coffee brewer. Defiantly not his f...
Older1 month ago
Mount Rainier Area > NE - Sunrise/White River
We got to the TH just before 9am. The parking on the trail side of 410 was full. Spaces were available on the opposite side of 410. The trail is in great shape! of course there's rocks and roots to ke...
Older2 months ago
Mount Rainier Area > NE - Sunrise/White River
Arrived at about 9am with plenty of parking still available. The hike is steady and constant upwards to the lake basin. We didn't see too many people on the way up. Nor did we see a lot of wildlife. W...
Older2 months ago
Mount Rainier Area > SE - Cayuse Pass/Stevens Canyon
I'm not sure if we squeezed in a late summer hike or an early fall hike, but it was hot so let's go with summer. Parking at the main Tipsoo Lake lot which was a cool and breezy mid 50s I was mislead ...
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
Trail wasn't too crowded but wow this parking area is busy! Nice trail with a pretty mellow grade in most areas. Berries are gone and fall colors are just barely starting, a few PCT hikers passing thr...
Older2 months ago
Mount Rainier Area > NE - Sunrise/White River
We did Crystal Lake via Sourdough Gap, starting at Chinook Pass. It was rainy on the drive from from Seattle, and we considered just doing Eastside Trail (under the trees).The rain had let up, and we ...