Cats and Trails and Garden Tales
Musings on cats, travel, gardens and life
A Forgotten View of Mt. Rainier – from Crystal Mountain
I was reminded by Facebook Memories that once upon a time we took the Gondola at Crystal Mountain.
I’d heard of Crystal Mountain before but since I don’t ski, I’d never been there. But one day on a trip to Mt. Rainier, we saw the sign and decided to swing by. Who knew you could take a gondola to the top of the mountain during the summer?
It was a little scarier than I thought it would be – a 12 minute ride – 2,400 vertical feet up, and neither Bob nor I are good with heights. Still, we survived and would do it again.
We had lunch on top at the Summit Restaurant, at 6,872 ft, Washington’s highest.
The food was good, and the view of Mt Rainier was exquisite.
This was before I carried a good camera with me on my outdoor adventures so these pictures were taken with my LG phone. Next time I’ll carry a real camera and when that happens, I’ll let you know, probably not this year. The end of summer is rapidly approaching, and the window is closing.
More about Crystal Mountain can be found at Crystal Mountain Resort in case you’re in the area and would like to visit.
~ Susanne
Cats and Trails and Garden Tales 
I have been on some cable cars before, and would definitely take that trip to the mountain top. Wonderful views indeed.
Best wishes, Pete.
Thanks, Pete. It took many years before we realized we could take a gondola to the top during the summer. We’ll go again. 🙂
Beautiful views! Summer isn’t nearly over down here, 98 degrees today. 🔥
Thanks, John. It feels like summer is waning here and I’m ready for fall! 98 degrees is a bit too hot for me!
That’s why I stayed in Vegas, Michigan is too cold and gray for me these days. 98 is a fine temperature, try 110 degrees!
Oh my word, I would be so scared to go on that! Foster would too, but I’m guessing Panda would enjoy it!😂
I was surprised we did it, but I lived through it, so I’d do it again! 😄 Benji and Tiger not so much! 😸😸
Well, that looks like fun, and I don’t have a head for heights! Might as well use those lifts year-round if you can.
It was a little bit scary, but fun, and the views were incredible. 😊 Nice restaurant, too.
Stunning views! ❤
It was wonderful!
I can never resist a cable car ride so clearly we didn’t know about this when we visited WA (or it’s new since then?) as I would have been up it like a shot! That view of Mount Rainier is fantastic!
We did this a few years ago and weren’t that aware ourselves that you could take the gondola during the summer. I don’t think it’s advertised that much and is on the less traveled side of the mountain. Definitely worth a stop!
On my list for my next Rainier visit. Try the one at Wallowa Lake, OR. Great views, hiking, and also a restaurant!
I heard of the one in Oregon but it sounds even scarier, and much higher! But I imagine the views are incredible!