Crystal Lake - FS 6280

Crystal Lake Road is a one-lane road starting with gravel and grass over the center to mostly large rip rap or loose rock that becomes more overgrown with grass and vegetation as you get farther down the road. There are a lot of water culverts under parts of the road, and you will pass two sections of previous mudslides before coming to an old wooden bridge. There are nice views of the valley on this road, and it is still passable to drive in its current state. It does not appear to be a well-driven road. There is one dry camping area at the end of the road, which turns into a closed road due to overgrown vegetation and what looks to be an old tank berm. You can walk past the overgrown trail and down the berm, where there is a creek, and go up the other side, where the trail continues. There is wildlife in this area. Be safety-minded as there are Brown Bear, Black Bear, Deer, and Porcupines in this area. Driving on the road, you can see obvious signs of Bear, Deer, and Porcupines. Weather plays a part in the level of difficulty, as this is in a rainforest, and a lot of these roads go through areas of muskeg and wetlands. There are sections of loose rock, and parts of the road have drop-offs where there is a gain in elevation towards the end. There are great views of muskeg/wetlands and the valley at the top of the trail on a clear day. Tall grass, ferns, a variety of trees, devil's club, lichens, moss, and flowers can be seen along the road. Views: Scenic landscapes. There isn’t much room for a turnaround at the end, and it is not advisable to bring trailers on this road due to the narrow roads and no turnarounds. Warnings: Keep on the road and watch for signs of road deterioration or washouts due to heavy rainfall. Be mindful of wildlife, especially Bears. No cell service noted. Check weather conditions and be prepared for rain, fog with low visibility, and lower temperatures. It is a rainforest. Suggested best time of year: June - October. Note: This road is a down-and-back.