Crystal Mountain Trail 1163

Crystal Mountain Trail 1163 is a 12-mile round-trip out-and-back from Sand Flats to the Summit House. The first ridge is about 3 miles in; the full route continues another 3 miles each way to the restaurant and returns along the same corridor. Plan on most of a day—about 9 hours—with roughly 2,900 feet of climbing to 6,782 feet. The route starts in Mount Baker–Snoqualmie National Forest and crosses the Mount Rainier boundary along the ridge.

For the first 1.3 miles, the trail climbs through second-growth forest. The trees thin into subalpine openings; a ravine briefly levels out before steeper switchbacks bring you to the ridge around mile 3. A differently colored rock outcrop stands above the path on the way up. At the crest, Rainier hangs over the White River, with Little Tahoma and Emmons Glacier in view. The ridge is an exposed, wind-swept place, so take a moment there before deciding whether to continue. If six miles round trip is enough, this is a natural turnaround.

The extra three miles to Summit House alternate between forest and small alpine meadows. The tread gives way to a rocky service road along the crest, past a 6,776-foot high point and toward the top of the Green Valley ski run. Look east for a tarn in the basin below. The signature view is Rainier above the White River; old snags or ridge flowers make a good foreground. The ridge is noted for early-June wildflowers and early-August huckleberries, though snow can linger into early summer.

Summit House sits at 6,782 feet and has a restaurant with views back toward Rainier. Check its current schedule before relying on it for food. Dogs are allowed on the trail on leash and on the patio, but not inside the restaurant. Potable drinking water isn't listed along the route, so carry enough for the full outing.

Drive east from Enumclaw on Highway 410 to Crystal Mountain Road (FS Road 7190), then follow FS Road 7190510 to its end at Sand Flats Trailhead. The nearby horse camp has a pit toilet; the actual trailhead is farther along the access. A valid Recreation Pass is required. Retrace the same route from Summit House. This is a full-day hike over exposed ridge terrain, with a shorter six-mile round trip available if you turn around at the first crest.