Crystal Peak

It looked like a great day for a hike to Crystal Peak.

The trail started out through the forest

But we were soon rewarded with flowers, like this pretty Pink Wintergreen

And soon after that, Mount Rainier came into view, towering above us and the White River Valley

Then, more flowers, like this Spreading Stonecrop

And, of course, lupine and Indian paintbrush

And harebells

We kept climbing.....

......and climbing

..to the top, Crystal Peak, 6595'

Upper Crystal Lake, from Crystal Peak

Chinook Peak, from Crystal Peak

The Goat Rocks and Mount Adams from Crystal Peak

Mount Rainier, keeping us close company while we had lunch on top

We turned around and came back down the trail, completely in the zone from this happy hike to the high country.

Stats:
Round trip=9 miles (per GPS)
Elevation gain=3100 feet
Hike/drive ratio=6/4=1.5
Day hiked=August 3, 2016