Bullion Basin & Bear Gap
A splendid 7 mile alpine loop trail in the Norse Peak Wilderness, full of flowers in the basin and views of Mount Rainier along 2.7 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail on the ridge between eastern and western Washington heading south. The trail along the ridge passes below Bullion Peak, Crown Point, and Pickhandle Point.
Getting There
Drive SR-410 to just north of the entrance of Mount Rainier National Park. Turn east onto Crystal Mountain Blvd (Forest Road 33) and follow it to the Crystal Mountain Resort parking lot.
on the trail
Begin at Bullion Basin Trail (No. 1156) at the Crystal Mountain Ski Area and in less than two miles the trail enters into a basin of flower-filled meadows on the way to connect with the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) and the highpoint (6,300 ft). Head south on the PCT along the ridgeline for 2.7 miles on the way to Blue Bell Pass, through Pickhandle Point and toward the Bear Gap junction (5,882 ft). Then turn right and follow the Crystal Mountain and Silver Creek Trails (Nos. 1163 and 1192) 1.5 miles back down to the ski area to complete the loop.
pct miles
- Bullion Basin Trail junction to Bullion Peak: 0.5 miles
- Bullion Peak to Crown Point: 0.8 miles
- Crown Point to Pickhandle Point: 0.8 miles
- Pickhandle Point to Crystal Mountain Trail junction: 0.5 miles
- Suitable Activities: Day Hiking
- Seasons: July, August, September, October
- Weather: View weather forecast
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Length: 7.0 mi
- Elevation Gain: 1,900 ft
- 6,300 ft
-
Land Manager:
Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Norse Peak Wilderness, Snoqualmie Ranger District (MBSNF)
- Parking Permit Required: Northwest Forest Pass
- Recommended Party Size: 12
- Maximum Party Size: 12
- Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 12
- Green Trails Mount Rainier Wonderland No. 269SX
- Green Trails Bumping Lake No. 271
- Trails Illustrated Mount Rainier National Park
- Trails Illustrated Goat Rocks, Norse Peak & William O. Douglas Wilderness Areas
This is a list of titles that represent the variations of trips you can take at this route/place. This includes side trips, extensions and peak combinations. Not seeing a title that fits your trip? Log in and send us updates, images, or resources.
- Bullion Basin
- Blue Bell Pass
- Crown Point
- Pickhandle Pass
- Bear Gap
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