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Crystal Mountain - Summit Course reviews
8
0
Nothing else like it 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Jul 19, 2015
Played the course:once
Pros:
Crystal Mountain DGC is pretty well known around the Northwest for being a behemoth. One can always skip the soul crushing Summit course and play the lower one, but what's the fun in that? I still haven't played lower. Someday, when I'm in the area and don't feel like shelling out $25 to ride the gondola, I will. That review happens when I've played it. So today we'll focus on Summit:
Equipment: Like any other temporary course, there are temporary baskets and natural tees. This is inescapable. The baskets catch well and were all level, and the tees are pretty level as well. They aren't very long, but despite the length of the holes you don't need much of a runup because it's all downhill.
Navigation: They have maps at the shop at the base. I highly recommend getting one. Most of the tees are relatively close to the preceding basket (with the exception of hole 3), but the signage is pretty sparse and close to the ground. Something more colorful or taller, and tape on the baskets would be helpful. But so is the map. Get the map.
Design: I'm not sure who was possessed to put a course on this mountain, but if you're reading this? Thank you. Hole 1 is just below the top of the gondola, so you can start out your round with breathtaking views (and two pretty boring holes). Then, after hiking a quarter mile to the next tee, you begin the destruction. Of your bag. And your legs. And your self esteem. But it's all worth it the first time you get ahold of one and watch it disappear down the mountain. I'm getting away from the design here, but the experience at Crystal is one of a kind. You have to do it at least once if you're physically capable. Bring DX discs and discs you don't mind losing, because you'll probably lose them. One person I played with lost three discs in three straight throws, before losing his fourth on the next hole. It's exhausting. Then someone else I was with let loose a drive on hole 4 that landed 10' from the next chairlift pole downhill from the 6 teepad. I've never seen a disc fly that far. It would not fade. The beauty of a disc in flight for so long that you can barely even see it anymore makes up for the hours spent on the mountain. That's why you play Crystal. To truly appreciate a disc in flight.
But back to design.:This course offers a decent mix of long and super long, but also shorter. There are, of course, hyzer and anhyzer shots abounding throughout the round. For the most part the course follows ski runs, so nothing technical, but it does allow you to throw the shots you're comfortable throwing. It also has a good balance. You throw a few shorter shots, then a few crushers. Then you're playing a few 250' holes across a flat area before meeting up with the lower course and more downhill bombs.
I don't have a category for wildlife, but the wildlife is awesome. I'd never seen an elk in the wild before. Now I have. And a grouse (or some other chicken-like bird). And squirrels. And a marmot. It's not just the wildlife. It's the nature in general. You have to get your mind off of your round and focus on the beauty around you. You'll never find anything like it on any other course.
Equipment: Like any other temporary course, there are temporary baskets and natural tees. This is inescapable. The baskets catch well and were all level, and the tees are pretty level as well. They aren't very long, but despite the length of the holes you don't need much of a runup because it's all downhill.
Navigation: They have maps at the shop at the base. I highly recommend getting one. Most of the tees are relatively close to the preceding basket (with the exception of hole 3), but the signage is pretty sparse and close to the ground. Something more colorful or taller, and tape on the baskets would be helpful. But so is the map. Get the map.
Design: I'm not sure who was possessed to put a course on this mountain, but if you're reading this? Thank you. Hole 1 is just below the top of the gondola, so you can start out your round with breathtaking views (and two pretty boring holes). Then, after hiking a quarter mile to the next tee, you begin the destruction. Of your bag. And your legs. And your self esteem. But it's all worth it the first time you get ahold of one and watch it disappear down the mountain. I'm getting away from the design here, but the experience at Crystal is one of a kind. You have to do it at least once if you're physically capable. Bring DX discs and discs you don't mind losing, because you'll probably lose them. One person I played with lost three discs in three straight throws, before losing his fourth on the next hole. It's exhausting. Then someone else I was with let loose a drive on hole 4 that landed 10' from the next chairlift pole downhill from the 6 teepad. I've never seen a disc fly that far. It would not fade. The beauty of a disc in flight for so long that you can barely even see it anymore makes up for the hours spent on the mountain. That's why you play Crystal. To truly appreciate a disc in flight.
But back to design.:This course offers a decent mix of long and super long, but also shorter. There are, of course, hyzer and anhyzer shots abounding throughout the round. For the most part the course follows ski runs, so nothing technical, but it does allow you to throw the shots you're comfortable throwing. It also has a good balance. You throw a few shorter shots, then a few crushers. Then you're playing a few 250' holes across a flat area before meeting up with the lower course and more downhill bombs.
I don't have a category for wildlife, but the wildlife is awesome. I'd never seen an elk in the wild before. Now I have. And a grouse (or some other chicken-like bird). And squirrels. And a marmot. It's not just the wildlife. It's the nature in general. You have to get your mind off of your round and focus on the beauty around you. You'll never find anything like it on any other course.
Cons:
Equipment: No real cons. The baskets aren't perfect and the teepads are natural, but as previously stated: This can't be helped. And it doesn't take away from one's enjoyment of the course.
Navigation: There needs to be more visible signage and ribbons. I went into this already too. The walkout from 2 to 3 is pretty well impossible to figure out without a map, so some extra signage would be nice for anyone who forgot to pick one up.
Design: The aforementioned walkout is the only real con here. I realize that there are other hikers in that area, but it really is the longest walkout I've ever seen. They could have easily fit another hole in between, and then lengthened one of the shorter holes further down the mountain to keep it at 18. I'm sure they had their reasons, but it's all okay once you step onto the 3 pad and see where you get to throw. I'm also pretty disappointed with hole 18. I've said it before in reviews. I want hole 18 to be memorable. I want it to be Terrace Creek. I just played down a friggin' mountain. Knock my socks off with the last hole. Don't just make it a chip shot across an open field.
Navigation: There needs to be more visible signage and ribbons. I went into this already too. The walkout from 2 to 3 is pretty well impossible to figure out without a map, so some extra signage would be nice for anyone who forgot to pick one up.
Design: The aforementioned walkout is the only real con here. I realize that there are other hikers in that area, but it really is the longest walkout I've ever seen. They could have easily fit another hole in between, and then lengthened one of the shorter holes further down the mountain to keep it at 18. I'm sure they had their reasons, but it's all okay once you step onto the 3 pad and see where you get to throw. I'm also pretty disappointed with hole 18. I've said it before in reviews. I want hole 18 to be memorable. I want it to be Terrace Creek. I just played down a friggin' mountain. Knock my socks off with the last hole. Don't just make it a chip shot across an open field.
Other Thoughts:
You aren't going to play this course more than a few times a year. It takes plenty out of you. You lose discs. You spend way too much. And unless you live in Enumclaw, it's pretty far away. But it's worth the trip at least once a summer just to have the experience. Bring sunscreen, sturdy shoes, and bug spray. And keep your eyes everywhere. There's stunning scenery. Plus there's cool stuff on the ground. Like the rock I found with streaks of gold in it. Play Crystal Mountain for the experience. The experience of crushing a disc three times as far as you ever have. The experience of hiking a beautiful mountain. The experience of spending time in nature far away from the cares of your everyday life. It's not just about disc golf. It's about experiencing something breathtaking.
