Shannon & Evan
Shannon & Evan
Evan and Shannon loooooove Washington because it has so much to offer and there is something for everyone! Within a two hour radius of Crystal Mountain Resort you can hike at a National Park, watch fish being thrown at Pike Place, or go on a whale watching cruise. The options are not only limitless but beautiful, and anyone who knows Shannon knows that she would be excited to give you a list of recommendations for things to do! If hiking excites you, there are so many great hikes outside of the park that she would love to recommend- whatever your style: long, short, mossy woods, waterfalls, or views of mountains, feel free to contact Shannon to get her favorites!
Under A Two Hour Drive:
North of Crystal:
1. Snoqualmie Falls
A waterfall taller than Niagara Falls that can either be easily seen by the an overlook at the top, or seen up close with a trail to the base. There is a fancy restaurant that overlooks the falls as well if you are interested.
While in Issaquah for the Falls, check out Jakob Two Trees ( a giant tree troll) or do a local hike: Franklin Falls, Poo Poo Point (hike or paraglide it, best view is at sunset), Mailbox Peak, Mount Si or Rattlesnake Ledge!
2. Favorite Hiking Spots: North Of Crystal
South of Crystal:
3. Mount Rainier National Park
Starting this year, Mount Rainier NP has implemented a timed entry permit system. To enter the National Park, you will need to go on their website and purchase a timed entry permit in advance. Visiting the park is sooo worth it though!
There are two sides to Mount Rainier: Sunrise and Paradise. From Crystal Mountain Resort, you will be closest to the Sunrise side. There are trails for everyone here, though Shannon and Evan are biased to Silver Forest Trail (0.5mi hike) where they got married in 2024! Shannon’s other favorite trail at Sunrise is Mt. Fremont Lookout, a beautiful fire lookout with close up views of Rainier which is stunning at sunset! Dont want to hike? Even just driving all around the park is scenic and beautiful!!
4. Crystal Lake Trail
5. Favorite Hikes: South Of Crystal
West of Crystal:
6. Olympia/ Tugboat Annie's
Tugboat Annie’s is a favorite of Shannon’s. It’s both a restaurant and a place to kayak amongst the sea lions! If you kayak towards the wooden barges (left out of the marina) the sea lions love to hang out there. Additionally, it is a restaurant, home to the 10” burger which is made of 5 burger patties combined!
Nearby is also the capitol building, rainbow bridge, and Mima Mounds. Shannon lived in Olympia for years and loved it so feel free to ask for her recommendations.
Northwest of Crystal:
7. Point Defiance Park, Zoo And Aquarium
8. Dorky's Arcade
9. Le May Car Museum
A 4 story car museum with over 350 cars. The museum is listed as one of MSN's 10 Best Automotive Museums Worldwide.
10. Pike Place, Gumwall And Original Starbucks
Pike Place is a giant market in Seattle that has men throwing fish in the air, the original Starbucks and a gum wall!
Be sure to also find the Fremont troll while you’re in Seattle!
11. Seattle Mariners At T-Mobile Park
12. Chihuly Garden And Glass Museum
13. Seattle Museum Of Flight
The Seattle Museum of Flight is the largest independent, non-profit air and space museum in the world! With over 175 aircraft and spacecraft, tens of thousands of artifacts, millions of rare photographs, dozens of exhibits and experiences and a world-class library, the museum and its people bring mankinds incredible history of flight to life.
Plane enthusiasts should also check out the Boeing Factory, the largest factory in the country!
14. Whale Watching Tour- Clipper's Vacations
15. Dick's Drive In
Over A 2 Hour Drive:
North of Crystal:
16. North Cascades National Park
17. Artist Point/ Mount Baker Scenic Byway
The Mount Baker Scenic Byway takes you through Washington’s Cascades to see spectacular scenery that includes many viewpoints, waterfalls, and opportunities for short/ long hikes along the way.
A popular hike, for good reason, is the Artist Point Trail: 3.2 mi round trip and provides amazing scenery!
South of Crystal:
18. Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
About 4 hours from Crystal Mountain is Mount St. Helens, an active volcano that erupted in 1980 and now has its top blown off. It was the deadliest and most economically destructive eruption in the US.
If you are exploring Mount St. Helens, Shannon also recommends checking out Ape Caves, the third longest lava tube in North America, as well as Lower, Middle and Upper Lewis River Falls. Please note,however, that both of these places require a permit to enter!
19. Portland, OR
About 3.5 hours from Crystal Mountain is Portland, OR. It has its own quirky charm, hence its slogan “Keep Portland Weird”. A few favorites to do in the area:
- Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area/ Multnomah Falls
- Witch’s Castle (ruins in the forest)
- Mill’s Park/ World’s Smallest Park
- Voodoo Donuts
Also nearby is Beacon Rock State Park which has beautiful views of the Columbia Gorge!
West Of Crystal:
20. Olympic National Park/ Olympic Peninsula
Shannon worked for the Forest Service out of Olympic National Forest and is very passionate about the diverse beauty of the peninsula. She can give you great primitive camping spots, and has the in for known and not very well known hikes (message Shannon for the 411). There are so many different biomes on the peninsula which will take several days drive to truly enjoy, so be sure to make a road-trip out of it! Also, be sure to bring a rain jacket. The word rainforest is no exaggeration.
Some highlights include:
- High Steel Bridge
- Lake Cushman
- Hama Hama Oyster Bar/ Saloon
- Dungeness Spit
- Hurricane Ridge
- Cape Flattery (most NW point of contiguous US)
- HoH Rainforest
-Sequim Lavender Farms
- Sol Duc Hot Springs
- Forks, WA (where twilight was filmed)
- Tree of Life
- Rialto Beach/ Hole in the Wall
- Lake Crescent
- The Largest Sitka Spruce in the World (Quinault)
This peninsula is Shannon’s second home so be prepared for a long text if asked her favorite off the beaten path places