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Crystal Lakes 080816

August 16, 2008 by Monica

Crystal Lakes

Trail Run on August 16, 2008
Report and photos by Monica I., Trail Leader
View trail information for Crystal Lakes

Brian S.
Blue 1997 Jeep Wrangler
Mike S.
Silver 2004 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
Ryan S.
Red 1999 Jeep Wrangler
Gary R.
Yellow 1978 Jeep CJ-7
Bill S.
Yellow 2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
Michael M.
Black 2006 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon
Bob S.
Green 1997 Jeep Wrangler
Walt S.
Gray 2022 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 392
Don W.
Silver 2005 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon

We finished on Peak 10 and drove around the corner and just out of town to get to Crystal Lakes. We were hoping to find Continental Falls, in addition to quite a few lakes. We didn't really know what to expect, but it sounded like we'd really find some great scenery.

We found the parking area easily enough, and then turned right at the "Y" in the road to head up to Lower Crystal Lake. The trail immediately went over timberline and it was very scenic as we worked our way back to the basin where the lake was. We had Peak 10 on our right (we had just been to the top, coming from the other side) and Mount Helen on our left. It was gorgeous.

The trail went through some tight brush in places, and the trail was wet in other places. We even crossed the creek. When we got to Lower Crystal Lake and the ruins of a cabin, we could see that part of the trail had been turned into a hiking trail. It's been a long time since vehicles have been permitted on the other side of Lower Crystal Lake and up to Upper Crystal Lake. It looked like a nice hike, and we hoped to try it someday.

For now, though, our trail turned left and headed up to an unnamed mine. Evidence of the operation remained in loose rocks, but all buildings and mine shafts were long gone. It was very rocky, this last section, and everyone had fun. We managed to all barely fit in a turnaround at the end.

We headed back down, wondering where the Continental Falls were. We discovered that it was a different hike to get to them, nearby but not on our 4x4 road. It was getting late, so we aired up in the big parking area and headed off to Keystone for some awesome Mexican food. It was a great day of new trails!

Continental Falls

Two days later, the weather cleared up a bit and a couple of us went back to the trail to find Continental Falls. It ended up being a short but tough hike, and one we wouldn't have had time for the other day. There would have been time if we had been there early, so that would be a great day of exploring in the future.

We parked at the trailhead and started up. It wasn't long before we got to the "Y" in the trail and headed over to Mayflower Lake. It has lots of brush near it, and it's difficult to see the entire lake when you are next to it. However, the ruins of the mining town offered quite a lot of exploration.

Heading up to Continental Falls, we found ourselves hiking with quite a few people -- on a Monday. It must be very busy on the weekends on this trail. We climbed to the top of the falls along the hiking trail that was very steep at times. It was also very scenic along the way.

We hiked as far as Lower Mohawk Lake, having a fantastic lunch next to the cabin at the far side of the lake. The weather looked like it was on its way there, so we headed down rather than continuing on to Mohawk Lake.

It was a great hike, and we'll definitely be there again in the future. Coupling this with the hike to Upper Crystal Lake would be a fantastic day of scenic hiking.

above_continental_falls
big_view_from_the_hike
bill_on_the_trail
bob_on_the_trail
brian_on_the_trail
cabin_at_lower_crystal_lake
cabin_near_lower_mohawk_lake
cabin_near_mayflower_lake
cabin_near_waterfall
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cart_near_lower_mohawk_lake_part_2
climbing
continental_falls_part_1
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continental_falls_part_4
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continental_falls_part_6
crystal_lakes_map
don_at_continental_falls
don_hiking
early_hiking_trail
first_parking_area
fish_in_lower_mohawk_lake
gary_on_the_trail
hike_to_mohawk_lake
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lower_crystal_lake_part_3
lower_mohawk_lake_part_1
lower_mohawk_lake_part_2
lower_mohawk_lake_part_3
lower_mohawk_lake_part_4
lower_mohawk_lake_part_5
mayflower_lake
michael_on_the_trail
mike_on_the_trail
monica_at_continental_falls
mountain_hike
mountain_stream
mushroom
near_lower_mohawk_lake
peak_10
ryan_on_the_trail
sign_for_hiking
sign_in_cabin_near_waterfall
sign_on_the_trail
start_of_continental_falls
trail_to_the_mine_part_1
trail_to_the_mine_part_2
tram_part_1
tram_part_2
tram_part_3
walt_on_the_trail
water_crossing
water_on_the_trail
wheeler_lake_trail
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