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Trip Report    

Day Hike - Bullion Basin & Bear Gap

Beautiful day to hike this nice loop with views of Rainier, Crystal Mountain, Mount Adams, and lots of other nearby peaks. Super convenient to get to and park using the Crystal Mountain ski area anemities such as parking lot and bathrooms.

  • Road suitable for all vehicles
  • Followed the Silver Creek trail up from the Crystal Mountain main parking lot which then after about 1/4 mile begins its switchbacks up the Bullion Basin trail.   After about 2 miles you reach a meadow where turning left the trail heads up steeply toward the PCT.  Going clockwise on this loep avoids a steep somewhat loose section of the trail just below the PCT.   Saw several deer and once up on the PCT, turning south the views become very good, looking across to the Crystal Mountain ski area with Rainier peaking above Crystal Mountain.   The PCT hugs the ridge so there are also some nice views to the Northeast and also south to Mount Baker.   A good stopping point for lunch after about 3 1/2 miles is Crown Point, climbing 50 or so feet from the PCT to a nice viewpoint looking toward Mount Adams, Shreiner Peak, and Mount Rainier.

    There are a few areas of slight exposure along the PCT, which on a wet day or early in the season with still some ice spots could be a challenge.

    From their continuing south on the PCT for another mile or so before turning to the southwest at the intersection with the Henskin trail lake heading down several hundred feet of vertical drop through the trees toward the lake.  At Henskin lake the trail intersects with the Silver Creek trail heading back to the North at a well marked sign back toward the parking lot, another 1 1/2 miles.  Overall distance for this loop is about 8 miles with just over 2000' of ascent.   

    Trail is in very good shape throughout, but narrow along the PCT making passing other hikers a challenge at times.