Sourdough Gap

Trip

Day Hike - Sourdough Gap

Enjoy multiple alpine lakes, gorgeous wildflowers and stunning views on this one-way, car shuttle hike. This trip will follow the Sheep Lake - Sourdough Gap - Crystal Lakes trails. By doing a shuttle, we will gain 1100 feet of elevation and then lose 2900 feet.

  • Easy
  • Moderate
  • Mileage: 7.5 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 1,000 ft
  • High Point Elevation: 6,400 ft
  • Pace: 2.0 mph

The group will meet at 8:00 am at the Crystal Lakes trailhead. We will consolidate into a few cars before continuing on to the Chinook Pass Trailhead.  Masks (not Gaiters) must be worn while in the car with anyone who is not part of your own household.

Crystal Lakes Trailhead: Follow Highway 410 about 36 miles south of Enumclaw and pass under the arch that marks the boundary of Mount Rainier National Park. Continue on another four miles and be alert for wide parking areas along both shoulders of the highway. There is room for perhaps 20 cars. The trail begins on the east side of the highway, next to Crystal Creek. Signs at the trailhead indicate permits are required for overnight camping, as they are everywhere in the park, but there is no requirement for day-hikers to display a pass in their car.

Chinook Pass Trailhead: From Crystal Lakes trailhead, continue east on Highway 410 for another 7.5 miles to Chinook Pass. Continue about 0.2 miles past the Tipsoo Lake parking area to Pacific Crest Trail parking lot, which is the second large parking lot on the left side of the road. The trailhead is on the east end of the parking lot behind the vault toilets.  All cars must display a Northwest Forest Pass or America the Beautiful pass.

Leader’s Permission Required - To sign up for this hike you must provide proof of COVID vaccination and be willing to be a carpool driver.  Please email the leader a copy of your vaccine card and indicate how many hikers and their backpacks can fit into your car.  Hikers will be added to the roster in the order their emails are received.

 

The group will meet at 8:00 am at the Crystal Lakes trailhead. We will consolidate into a few cars before continuing on to the Chinook Pass Trailhead.  Masks (not Gaiters) must be worn while in the car with anyone who is not part of your own household.

We will hike from Chinook Pass to Sheep Lake and Sourdough Gap before continuing down to Crystal Lakes and finishing at the Crystal Lakes trailhead.  The group will hike at a pace of about 2 miles per hour with stops for flower and view photos.  Faster hikers may be allowed to move ahead on some stretches of the trail but please add extra weight to your pack so that you can get a good workout without being frustrated by the 2.0 mph pace.

After the group reaches the Crystal Lakes trailhead, everyone should plan on waiting while the drivers of the cars left on Chinook pass are driven back to pick up their cars.

Additional trip details will be emailed to participants after registration closes on July 26th.

Route/Place

Sourdough Gap



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  • See full route/place details.
Roster
Required Equipment

Required Equipment

The Ten Essentials

  • Navigation
  • Headlamp
  • Sun protection
  • First aid
  • Knife
  • Fire
  • Shelter
  • Extra food
  • Extra water
  • Extra clothes
Trip Reports