The road is muddy on the way there but it wasn't too bad. Most of the trail is pretty grown in easy to find but in a month or two it'll be really grown in. The flats before the lake and all around the lake covered in deep snow but was easy to walk on. Lake was about three-quarters Frozen mostly slush one good-sized Camp site with no snow.

We had intended this trip for hikeathon, but it didn't work out, so today seemed like a good day to catch up with this hike. (Even tho the miles don't count, you can still donate to the cause). This trail is mostly on an old logging road turned in to trail. The first 1.5 miles it shares with the old Meadow Mtn road until it forks off to the left. There is a sign for both at the jct, but it is being held up with rocks. If the sign dissappears, you will need to refer to your map. Once it forks it becomes very brushy and overgrown, the tread still visible, but choked with salmonberry. The trail follows the creek high above it on a steady uphill grade. When you hear the sound of a waterfall, the trail will turn left and head up steeply on the old firebreak. You can see the old burn evident on rocks and old logs. This is the worst part of the trail, it is steep, muddy, slick, rocky and rooty, in other words, your typical PNW unimproved mtn trail. About halfway up, come to a side trail leading to an overlook of the waterfalls. Once you reach the large blowdown in the middle of the trail (which you will need to navigate over somehow), you are close to the wilderness boundry and the trail gets better for the last little bit to the lake. The lake is a beautiful large lake surrounded by meadow and forest. The area close to the lake is swampy, camping will have to be up in the trees. Don't bother with the loo, it looks like a bear sat on it, it's in shambles and needs a replacement. Dig a cathole. Give this trail a crew with a long weekend and lots of loppers and it could be a nice trail alternative for the mtn loop. The steep part would need a reroute, however. take FS 23, the old White Chuck, then FS 27 Rat Trap Pass. TH is just over 8 miles after you cross the White Chuck River. It's full of potholes, but doable in any car if you drive slow. One more day: https://www.gifttool.com/athon/MyFundraisingPage?ID=1468&AID=3052&PID=515381

Started out on the Meadow Mountain Trail at 8:00am. Wanted to try to traverse over to Meadow Lake to get to Meadow Mountain, or try Circle Peak. The Meadow Mountain trail was in great shape, but after turning onto the Crystal Lake Trail it became brushy and overgrown in spots, but was able to follow the trail ok. I was surprised at how many mudholes and water was on the trail with all the dry and hot weather. Not sure when the old road turned into a trail, but when it did the trail turned into a steep scramble and didn't start leveling out until I was near the lake. Bugs were not much of an issue until I was close to the lake, where big biting flies were out and the bug spray didn't help much. I looked for a scramble route to get over to Meadow Lake but could not find one. If anyone has done this I would like to hear some experience with this. On the way back I looked for the Circle Peak Trail, but could not find it. I have a map, but it still didn't help. Was bummed that it was so clear out and I was so close to some great views, but it was not to be today. Still a great day to be out and I did make it to the lake. Next time I will stay on the Meadow Mountain Trail to get to the meadows instead of looking for a shortcut. Lake was completely thawed and no snow with a lot of fish jumping and I could see them in the water. Was back at the car by noon and did not see another person on the trail.

This is a steeeeeeeeeep trail! It starts out on an old logging road but after the fork to the left it gets brutal up the old fire line. Parts of the trail are a little overgrown but nothing impassable. All in all it's a good hike and the work is totally worth it when you get to the lake ... it's breathtaking! Take bug spray.

Our party of 3 people and 2 dogs hiked to Crystal Lake on Friday, July 12. We crossed the Suiattle River on Forest Service Road number 2700, and drove approximately 2 miles on Road Number 2703 to the rock barrier at about 2400 foot elevation. We walked approximately 3.5 miles on the road until reaching the trailhead for Crystal Lake. The road was in good condition for walking, and there were even some ATV tracks the entire distance. (The trailhead for the "old" Circle Peak trail was approximately a quarter mile further along Road 2703.) The trail starts very steeply for a short distance, then joins the "new" Circle Peak trail Number, 638.1. We followed this trail over the ridge until joining the "new" Crystal Lake trail, Number 638. We hiked about 2 miles on these combined trails before reaching the lake at 4400 feet elevation. The trails were in good condition, except for some branches (many of which we cut off) and a 30 foot wide steep rock slide area. The 75 year old hikers were able to safely cross this scree slide by exercising extra caution. (young children should avoid this trail). Crystal Lake is approximately 4400 feet elevation and it was totally ice-free. There were some snow patches in the area. There was no log crossing over the exit stream, but it could be easily waded. There are only occasional partial views of other mountains along the way - the Green Mountain Lookout was visible with binoculars. and Sloan Peak was quite close. The total hiking time was approximately 7 hours.