Crystal Lake — Saturday, Sep. 4, 2021

Trip Report #100! We wanted this milestone-hike to be special and unique, to a less-traveled destination.  We achieved our goal with this hike to Crystal Lake. Though there were 3 other cars in the parking area, we saw no one on the trail (surprising for a Saturday-holiday weekend).

Road: followed WTA driving directions – drive the paved Suiattle River Road (FR 26) for about 10 miles. Turn right and cross the one-lane bridge and continue on the gravel road (FR 25) for about 3 miles. Turn right onto FR 2700 towards Rat Trap Pass (sign indicated the road is closed at mile 7.5, but you’ll turn off before then) and switchback up the hill for about 2 miles.  At the next junction, keep left onto FR 2703. Drive about 7 miles to the parking area. Plenty of parking for 10+ cars. FR2703 is narrow and rough with a few mostly-dry creek dips to cross. 

Trail: Trailhead is west (back down the road you just drove in on) of the parking area about ¼ mile.

The trail is very steep for the first 100 or so feet to meet up with the Circle Peak trail.  At the signed junction, turn right to go to Crystal Lake. The trail switchbacks up the hill 4-5 times and then crests the ridge and is then very gentle with slight ups and downs all the way to the lake.  Only one spot is sketchy requiring careful attention – a rocky avalanche chute with very narrow tread.

The lake area is quiet and very peaceful with lots of soggy grassy areas surrounding the lake.  Looks like many have camped in these areas around the lake. We followed a faint, brushy, trail around the south side of the lake over a couple blow-down areas. Took us 3 hours car to car with plenty of time to wander and explore the lake-shore. About 5 miles round-trip.

Looks like lots of trail work has been done recently making this a delightful and easy journey. There is a new toilet up a slight hill straight ahead after crossing the outlet creek. Many thanks to the volunteer trail crews.