The goal for the day was to visit Crystal Peak a few miles away, but Mt Rainier National Park doesn’t open for another month and the road was blocked. I did some quick recalculating and found this hike instead. It was a bit longer than I wanted for the first hike of the season, but I’m glad I put in the extra effort. Head up the road to Crystal Mountain ski resort and the trailhead is a few miles up on the left just before the resort parking.
In early September of last year (2017), the Norse Peak Fire burned over 20,000 acres on the east side of the Pacific Crest Trail and threatened to destroy the resort. Luckily they were able to save it, but the fire's devastation remains and you will hike right through it on this trail.
The Norse Peak Fire forced the evacuation of the resort
You will arrive at the burned forest just before the snowline
The increased visibility through the trees was helpful navigating through the snow
Luckily, one other hiker had just navigated this trail. I spoke with him on his way down to find out if there was anything ahead I should be aware of. He had just made it almost to the top so I knew I could follow his tracks. He pretty much stayed on course at the beginning until it was obvious he abandoned that plan and just took off straight up the ridge...
Map & Stats
So much for switchbacks
The views of Mt Rainier were amazing
Several side trails have been marked with signs asking hikers to avoid them so the area can heal. Signs of life are already visible. Birds, chipmunks, bear scat, elk droppings and LOTS of red-headed ants doing their clean-up duties are seen along the trail.
Once at the top, it is said that six peaks can be seen. This was the same statement I read about Crystal Peak and one of the reasons I wanted to go. In reality, Rainier and Adams are obvious, but if you don't know what you are looking for, the rest are pretty obscure. If you can "see" them but can't recognize them, can you really see them?
