Mystic Lake Trail
You can access Mystic Lake from two trailheads: Sunrise (a 21.8-mile route) or the Carbon River Entrance (20.8 miles), via the Wonderland Trail from either direction.
Plan Around Mystic Lake Trail
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Mystic Lake Trail Details
You can access Mystic Lake from two trailheads: Sunrise (a 21.8-mile route) or the Carbon River Entrance (20.8 miles), via the Wonderland Trail from either direction. Sunrise Route: Find the trailhead near the Sunrise Visitor Center (6,400 feet) and begin the moderate climb up to Sourdough Ridge, where you'll have sweeping views of Mount Rainier and the Emmons Glacier. Take the Sourdough Ridge trail heading west toward Frozen Lake and connect with the Wonderland Trail in 1.2 miles. Follow the Wonderland Trail west to Skyscraper Pass, the second highest point on the entire 93-mile route. From there, descend to Granite Creek Camp and continue down past the snout of the glacier as the trail winds through the rocky moraine. The trail then leads you past a stand of silver trees on the right and into the woods for a moderate ascent to the forested Mystic Camp. Continue up through the forest for another .2 miles until you reach Mystic Lake. Turn right and you'll come to a great tucked-away spot to kick back and relax on the shores of the crystal-clear lake, with stunning Mineral Mountain as a backdrop; the jagged peak of Old Desolate rises up behind you. Under calm conditions, you'll see Mount Rainier's spectacular reflection on the lake. Trail stats: 21.8 miles; 4,600 feet in elevation gain; 10 hours. From the Carbon River Entrance: Hike or bike along the Carbon River Road (closed indefinitely to vehicle traffic due to damage from a 2006 storm) for 5 miles until you reach the Ipsut Creek Campground. From here, follow the Wonderland Trail for about 1.7 miles to a log bridge that crosses over the Carbon Glacier. Turn right and continue along the Wonderland Trail overlooking the rock and ice moraine field of the Carbon Glacier. Continue past Dick Creek (a good place to cool off in the small waterfalls and cold pools on a summer day) and through the forest to Moraine Park (look and listen for marmots and pikas as you pass by the rocky rubble of Moraine Park). The trail cuts through meadows and goes over two small wooded ridges before gradually dropping down to Mystic Lake, which is surrounded by open fields and flanked by Mineral Mountain and Old Desolate. Trail stats: 20.8 miles; 3,900 feet in elevation gain; 9 hours.
Difficulty
High
Distance
21.8 miles
Estimated time
9-10 hours
Region
N/A
Nearby Parks Around Mystic Lake Trail
Compare nearby parks around Mystic Lake Trail when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.
Nearby Points of Interest Around Mystic Lake Trail
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Mystic Lake Trail while the map context is still fresh.
0.0 mi away
Lake James Trail
You'll need to tackle 10 miles (roundtrip) of hiking along the now-closed Carbon River Road to complete this trip, but it's worth it to see the Yellowstone Cliffs, Windy Gap, and Lake James at the end.
0.1 mi away
Carbon River Rainforest Trail
This .3-mile loop is enough to give you a taste of this ancient and stunning lowland rainforest in the Carbon River area.
0.2 mi away
Carbon River Road
This historic old road, built in 1921, is located in the northwestern corner of the park.
2.1 mi away
Carbon River Ranger Station
The Carbon River Ranger Station is the park's only ranger station that stays open year-round.
2.6 mi away
Moraine Park Trail
This spectacular hike gives you a close-up look at the Carbon Glacier, wildflowers, and a sweeping view of Mount Rainier.
