Crystal Peak (Washington)

This article is about the mountain in Mount Rainier National Park. For the mountain in Olympic National Park, see Crystal Peak (Olympic Mountains).

Crystal Peak
East aspect, with Crystal Lake
Highest point
Elevation	6,595 ft (2,010 m)
Prominence	275 ft (84 m)
Coordinates	46°54′22″N 121°31′09″W
Geography
Crystal Peak Location of Chinook Peak in Washington Crystal Peak Crystal Peak (the United States)
Location	Mount Rainier National Park Pierce County, Washington, U.S.
Parent range	Cascades
Topo map	USGS White River Park
Climbing
Easiest route	Hiking trail

Crystal Peak is a 6,595-foot (2,010 meter) summit located in eastern Mount Rainier National Park, in Pierce County of Washington state. Crystal Peak is situated 0.75 mi (1.21 km) northwest of Chinook Peak, and nearly on the crest of the Cascade Range. Crystal Mountain and Crystal Lakes lie immediately to the northeast, and Three Way Peak is 1.09 mi (1.75 km) to the east. Access to the summit (which was a former fire lookout site) is via a hiking trail which branches off from the Crystal Lakes Trail. That trailhead starts along Highway 410, which traverses the western base of the mountain. Precipitation runoff from Crystal Peak drains into tributaries of the White River.

Climate

Crystal Peak is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America. Most weather fronts originate in the Pacific Ocean, and travel northeast toward the Cascade Mountains. As fronts approach, they are forced upward by the peaks of the Cascade Range (Orographic lift), causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snowfall onto the Cascades. As a result, the west side of the Cascades experiences high precipitation, especially during the winter months in the form of snowfall. During winter months, weather is usually cloudy, but, due to high pressure systems over the Pacific Ocean that intensify during summer months, there is often little or no cloud cover during the summer. Because of maritime influence, snow tends to be wet and heavy, resulting in high avalanche danger. The months July through September offer the most favorable weather for viewing or climbing this peak.

Gallery

• 
  Crystal Peak seen from Upper Crystal Lake
• 
  East aspect
• 
  Crystal Peak with Mt. Rainier upper left

See also

• Geography of Washington (state)
• Geology of the Pacific Northwest

External links

• National Park Service web site: Mount Rainier National Park
• Washington Trails Association: Crystal Peak