77. Silver King, 6998' (S)

Silver King is an easy scramble that starts on-trail, passes two lakes, and then continues with a short scramble to the peak, with great views of Rainier and vistas stretching from Adams to Stuart. There are two approaches to Silver King. We think the route via Crystal Lakes is aesthetically preferable. The origin of the Silver King name is not certain. The peak is unnamed on the USGS map but named on the Green Trails map.

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Driving

Drive SR 410 4.1 miles south of the Crystal Mountain ski area turnoff to the Crystal Lakes trailhead. Park on either side of the road. Park entrance fee is not required.

Route

Leave from the Crystal Lakes trailhead (elevation 3520'). In 1.4 miles, come to a junction (elevation 4600'). Turn left toward Crystal Lakes. Reach Lower Crystal Lake at 2.5 miles from the trailhead, Upper Crystal Lake at 3 miles. At Upper Crystal Lake, go left partway around lake, until you come to an obvious footpath heading left at a bearing of approximately 45 degrees. Travel on the footpath and leave it at around 5950', heading uphill at a bearing of 330, doing a rising traverse until you reach a rounded ridge. Go up the ridge with a bearing of 40. At approximately 6615', reach the ridge leading to Silver King. (Mark this spot so you know where to leave the ridge on the return journey.) Go left and follow the way trail to Silver King at a bearing of 340, changing to 0 bearing about halfway to the peak.

Silver King can also be climbed from the Crystal Mountain ski resort. From Lake Elizabeth, head to the east ridge of Silver King at about 6400'. Take the ridge to the summit. This route can be done in the late spring after the ski season ends.

There is a third approach leaving from Chinook Pass. Start on the PCT southbound and pass Sheep Lake. Turn off the PCT and head to Sourdough Gap. Descend from the gap and the trail to Upper Crystal Lake. At about 6200’ as the trail crosses a gully and heads west, start a climbing traverse at a bearing of 325 degrees to gain the rounded ridge leading to Silver King. This route is about the same length, 8.7 miles, but less elevation - only 2300’ of gain. Thanks to Henry Romer for this route information.

Comments

Once attaining the ridge leading to Silver King, look backward and notice a unique rock formation on Three Way Peak located southeast (bearing 130) of where you are standing. Flowers are spectacular in July and August.

Silver King is called Crystal Mountain on Peakbagger.com

Vital Statistics: Silver King

• Skill: Easy scramble

• Beauty: 7

• Effort: 4

• Round-trip distance: 8.5 miles

• Elevation gain: 3700'

• Total time: 6 hours

• Best season: July through September, or first snow

• Equipment: Scramble gear

Approximate route from Upper Crystal Lake to ridge leading to Silver King

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