Crescent Mountain is located above Windy Gap, one of the most scenic areas of Mt. Rainier National Park. Once you leave the Northern Loop Trail, the area feels surprisingly remote. Crescent is an easy scramble and could be combined with many off-trail loop options. Most will want to camp in the area although it is a possible to do this in a 26 mile day trip.
Crescent Mountain
Elevation: 6,715 feet
Distance: 13 mile one-way
Elevation Gain: 5,500 feet
Access: Paved to park entrance
Approach Route:
Access is at the Carbon River entrance to Mt. Rainier National Park. Flood damage has closed the road at the park entrance so you must bike or walk the road for 5 miles to the Ipsut Creek Campground to the official trail start. The first 2 miles lie along the valley floor, close to the river. At a junction, take the left fork which goes across the Carbon River. The river often floods and frequently chances course, washing out the bridges. The exact point of the crossing therefore varies. On the far side of the river, the Wonderland Trail turns right, the Northern Loop Trail goes left. Go left, which goes down the valley 1 mile, and then begins an unrelenting 3,000 foot 4-mile climb to Windy Gap. The first 3 miles are through an open forest on a smooth trail with many switchbacks. Then you enjoy Tyee Peak and the colorful Yellowstone Cliffs the final mile. Approaching Windy Gap, one sees a pair of small lakes to the left and another to the right. The route starts at the lake on the right side.
Route:
From the lake, scramble up the obvious rock field to the ridgeline, class 2. Once on the ridge, easy travel continues up the ridge to the highest point of Crescent Mountain.
Nearby:
WillhiteWeb.com
This is Crescent Mountain from Windy Pass. I just scrambled up to the pass in the center.
Looking north from Crescent Mountain to Tyee Peak and beyond.
Mt. Rainier from Crescent Mountain with the Elysian Fields below and Old Desolate.
Crescent Lake and the Carbon River Valley from the summit of Crescent Mountain.
Looking down on the Windy Gap area
Sluiskin Mountain from the saddle
From the summit of Crescent Mountain looking over to Mother Mountain/Mowich Lake area
Sluiskin Mountain from Crescent Mountain
Meadows on the ridge
Nearing the summit of Crescent Mountain looking north
Many miles of this before you get to the meadows.
In route to the ridgeline