Crystal Mountain, Mt. Rainier
and Other Scenic Hidden Treasures on Hwy 410

	The Pacific Crest Trail welcomes hikers and equestrians. See this view near Hwy 410 in Mt. Rainier National Park.
	Pristine alpine lake in Mt. Rainier National Park, Washington.

Scenic Daytrips from Greater Bellevue, Seattle,
and Tacoma Areas
Travel Hwy 410 to visit Crystal Mountain Resort and visit many of Western Washington’s hidden scenic treasures. These are easy daytrips from greater Bellevue, Seattle, and Tacoma areas - and perfect destinations for a weekend getaway or vacation.

Taking Your Dog to Crystal Mountain and Mount Rainier
Before hitting the road, a note about hiking with dogs. Dogs on mountain trails can be an incredibly enjoyable experience for both human and dog. Check trail restrictions to find trails which welcome dogs and avoid those which prohibit dogs. Some dogs are at ease on the trail; others are not. Wildlife smells, the urge to chase wildlife, other hikers, other dogs, and hot/cold weather conditions are unmanageable for some dogs. If you are unsure whether your dog will feel at ease on the trail, consider doggie daycare or dog boarding. The facilities, amenities, activities, and routines are designed just for dogs. Relaxed and happy, dogs romp and play together in a safe environment. Contact us for more information.

Scenic Chinook Pass Highway / Hwy 410
and Quaint Greenwater, WA
Join Highway 410 in Sumner (if you are coming from Tacoma and points east or south) or just past Enumclaw (if you are traveling south from Bellevue, or Seattle areas). From Enumclaw travel 40 minutes through the beautiful foothills of the Enumclaw Mountains and the Cascade Mountain range (Snoqualmie National Forest) to the quaint little town of Greenwater, Washington. Here you can get tasty snacks at several shops and a great meal at Buzzy’s. Need gear for your mountain adventures? There are shops in Greenwater with a selection of gifts, apparel and sporting gear for skiing, snowboarding, camping, and fishing - including fine hats and Starbucks coffee at Wapati Woolies.

Crystal Mountain Resort - Fun All Winter and Summer
Crystal Mountain Resort is just 40 minutes east of Greenwater on Hwy 410. Crystal Mountain Resort is perched in the Cascade Mountains just minutes northeast of majestic Mount Rainier, near Snoqualmie National Forest. In winter Crystal Mountain is a favorite destination for downhill skiing, snowboarding, cross country skiing, and snowshoeing. In summer, enjoy miles of trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. Take the Gondola to the summit of Crystal Mountain for a breathtaking, not-to-be-missed view of Mt. Rainier and 360 degree view of the Cascade Mountain Range. Enjoy a tasty lunch or dinner at the highest elevation restaurant in Washington State - The Summit House. Check their schedule to ensure they’ll be open or bring your own picnic. Ride the Gondola, hike down or ride your mountain bike down through the vast trails that open into meadows carpeted in spectacular wildflowers. You may come across a herd of grazing elk or glimpse mountain goats. This is a “must see” in Washington. A great day trip from Bellevue, Seattle or Tacoma to take in the beauty of Mother Nature right in our own backyard.

Mt. Rainier National Park
From Crystal Mountain, continue 10 miles east along Hwy 410 to Sunrise, the highest point accessible by vehicle in Mount Rainier National Park. In Sunrise, get your bearings at Mt. Rainier’s highest visitor center, elevation 6,400 feet. Sunrise Day Lodge offers hot meals, space to enjoy a picnic inside or out, and unique souvenirs. (No overnight accommodation). Both the visitor center and day lodge are part of the National Historic Landmark District. Sunrise is situated in the drier northeastern corner of Mt. Rainier National Park amid colorful subalpine meadows and is less crowded than the more popular Mt. Rainier destination, Paradise, to the west. Sunrise is the first place in Mt. Rainier National Park to capture the morning’s early rays. Although it is buried in snow most of the year, once open (July - September) it is not to be missed. Several telescopes are available to take in close-up views of Mt. Rainier and its impressive glaciers including Emmons Glacier. With its 26 glaciers, and 36 square miles of permanent snowfields and glaciers, Mt. Rainier is the most heavily glaciated peak in the lower 48 states. Sunrise is the starting point for easy hiking trails, trails for experienced hikers ready to take on alpine tundra, and trails for more challenging hikes. Backpackers can park at Sunrise and enjoy spectacular scenery on their hike in to remote campsites. Information about hiking trails, backpacking, weather conditions, flora, and fauna are available at the Sunrise Visitor Center. The park rangers are very helpful and will provide information and basic maps to help you get the most out of your visit. At Mt. Rainier you don’t have to hike to see breathtaking scenery. Highway 410 to Sunrise ranks among the most beautiful drives in the United States. Stop at Sunrise Point to see sweeping alpine views of five volcanoes: Mount Rainier, Mount Baker, Glacier Peak, Mount Adams, and, in Oregon, Mount Hood. If you get up early you can witness one of the most spectacular sunrise showings to be seen anywhere in the nation.

Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), Alpine Lakes, and More
From Sunrise continue east on Hwy 410 over Chinook Pass to Tipsoo Lake on the north side of the highway near the summit of Mount Rainier. Stretch your legs with a stroll around this photographers-dream alpine lake. Just up the road from Tipsoo Lake the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) crosses Hwy 410. Parking to hike the Pacific Crest Trail is available on both sides of the highway. The 2,650 mile Pacific Crest Trail spans the west coast from Mexico to Canada. Thousands of hikers and equestrians enjoy this national treasure every year. Continue east along on Hwy 410 to many more spectacular spots for picnics, day hikes, backpacking, camping, fishing, and horseback riding. Hiking on Mt. Rainier is beautiful and requires caution due to quickly changing weather conditions. Before starting out for a hike be sure you have current weather information, appropriate gear, and a map.

Yakima - Award Winning Wine and Toasty Hot Weather
In summer, continue east from Sunrise for two hours on Highway 410 to sunny Yakima for award-winning wine, fresh produce and hot weather.

Loop Around Mt. Rainier
The complete loop around Mt. Rainier is a beautiful drive. Continue from Sunrise through Cayuse Pass to Paradise - if the pass is open. The pass is only open a few months of the year so check at the visitor center or online for the pass status and for current weather conditions; weather conditions can change quickly on Mt. Rainier.

Fun for Your Dog While You Enjoy a Relaxing Daytrip or Vacation
When you head out to Crystal Mountain, Mount Rainer, the Pacific Crest Trail, Yakima, or any of the many scenic destinations along Highway 410 for a day trip or longer, treat your dog to a vacation at Rusty Horse Dog Boarding in Enumclaw, near Highway 410. Your dog will get plenty of exercise and deep rest at our kennel-free doggie daycare and dog boarding facility. Rusty Horse Dog Boarding is surrounded by beautiful scenery just minutes from Highway 410 on your way out of Enumclaw. When you’re heading out for skiing, hiking, biking, a nice picnic, or a great horse ride, we would be delighted to care for your dog for the day or overnight. Learn more about our services, rates, and contact us for more information and reservations.