Bear Gap to Bullion Basin Hike

Bear Gap to Bullion Basin is a good mid-difficulty hike that is easily accessible from Crystal Mountain. The views change along the way, getting better and better, and you won’t be fighting for space with anyone on this quiet trail. Most hikers go counterclockwise.

The hike begins from the road beside the chapel, heading out back on the Gold Hill Road East. The first 14 minutes or so are very straightforward. You’ll go straight through a 5-way junction, then take Silver Creek Trail south at the next junction. Stop into the abandoned mine shaft, then keep going to a T-junction, where you’ll stay right. Stay left at the next, passing through a meadow to Henskin Lake.

Take a sharp left past the lake, hiking to Bear Gap. Here, hop on the PCT going northeast to Crown Point. At the junction with Bullion Basin trail, keep left to get off the PCT. Stay on this trail until you’re back at the junction with Gold Hill Road East, which you’ll take back to the trailhead.