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Day Hike - Crystal Peak (Mount Rainier)

a beautiful day for a hike/climb, snow on trail and on mountain side. turned around before summit.

Frank McCracken Frank McCracken
May 29, 2019
  • Road suitable for all vehicles

  • Road dry and clear, Mt. Rainier Park open on Hwy 410, found trailhead easily.

    Trail leading up from trailhead clear and easily followed. At juncture with trail to Crystal Lake, followed sign to Crystal Peak. At approximately 5500 feet elevation, encountered consolidated snow packs on trail. After switchback at 5700 feet, entire side of mountain covered in snow obliterating trail.

followed trail to Switchback at approximately 5700 feet (which was clear of snow), we headed up toward Crystal Peak with micro-spikes on. we encountered solid snow covering the side of trail/mountain. We went about two hundred feet and because of angle of slope one member expressed severe concern and started to turn back. We all followed the person back to the switchback for lunch, and returned to the cars.