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Backpacking Building Blocks Student-Only Backpack

Field trip: Backpacking Building Blocks (B3) Course

Backpacking Building Blocks Student-Only Backpack - Sourdough Gap: Chinook Pass to Crystal Lakes

Enjoy sweeping views as we visit the east side of Mt. Rainier on a two day point to point backpack. We'll hike through Mt. Rainier National Park's Crystal Lakes basin on our way to Sourdough Gap and a wild camp outside the Park. A visit to Sheep Lake near Chinook Pass and a car shuttle completes the trip. Any B3er can request permission to register for the trip after June 15 at 8pm; send an email to hess@whidbey.com with your recent trip experience so we can ensure this trip is a good fit for you.

Contacts

Sarah Hess
Sarah Hess
Primary Leader
  • stenuous
  • Challenging
  • Mileage: 7.0 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 3,400 ft
  • High Point Elevation: 6,400 ft
  • Pace: 1.5 mph

We'll enjoy great scenery, wildflowers , beautiful lakes, and crossing the gap.  Challenges include elevation gain, a rough trail from Upper Crystal Lake to Sourdough Gap,  and a water carry to our camp.  This is a great opportunity to  stretch your backpacking skills in a beautiful place.

Day 1.  Crystal Lakes trailhead to lower and upper Crystals Lakes, to Sourdough Gap, and on to our wild camp, 4.4 miles, +3100'.

Day 2. Wild camp to Sheep Lake and on to the Pacific Crest Trail TH for our shuttle back to the start, 2.8 miles, -1100', +300'.

Meet at the Pacific Crest Trail parking lot on the left side of the road 0.2 miles past Chinook Pass at 9am.  We'll leave some cars for our shuttle, and carpool to the nearby Crystal Lakes trailhead where we'll start our trip.

PCT parking lot : NW Forest Pass or America the Beautiful Pass

Crystal Lakes TH: America the Beautiful Pass 

Route/Place

Sourdough Gap


  • Green Trails Mount Rainier Wonderland No. 269SX
    Green Trails Bumping Lake No. 271
    Green Trails Mt Rainier East No. 270
  • See full route/place details.
Roster
Required Equipment

Required Equipment

The Ten Essentials, extra water carrying capacity, plus overnight gear as specified by the trip leader

Trip Reports