We took our 2 year old on his first backpacking trip to Crystal Lake and had an excellent time!

Road: We used Forest Service Road 2703 to access Circle Peak trail #638.1 taking that to Crystal Lake. Both the 25 and 27 roads have been recently graded and are in good condition, at least till the 2703 junction. The 2703 road has 2 water crossings and several patches of rogher washboard but overall lacks large potholes. 4wd is not needed and a moderate clearance vehicle will get you there. It is several miles of gravel though so use decent tires. 

Trail: We found the trail to be in really good condition! About 3 larger trees down to navigate though most have been cut out of the way. Trail was easy to follow straight to the lake. The trail has a steep drop on one side in parts which required a little extra focus for the toddler. There is one avalanche shoot crossing that was the only concerning point for the kid, we held his hand through it. 

Crystal Lake doesn't have any mountain views but its a really pretty lake in and of itself. We had the lake all to ourselves. The lake area is pretty kid friendly with level meadow habitat though doesn't have a rocky or sandy 'beach' site. Berry fields surround the lake and they were still ripe though likely fading fast. Pikas, Barred Owls, and a Northern Pygmy Owl were the main wildlife observations. We did try fishing for trout in the lake without any luck. 

May have lost my nintendo switch at this trailhead! Ill buy you a six pack if you found it! Reply here, we can trade contact info!

The road from the south (Suiattle River road) is definitely impassable, not likely to get fixed anytime soon I'd guess.  The washout is about 4 miles from the trailhead.  Headed up to Gothic Basin instead.

Road: FSR 25 has been recently graded and whoever did this did a beautiful job. Smooth. FSR 2703 is a bit more rough but easily driven, it has just gotten really brushy so beware if you might be worried about scratches. 

Weather was really nice with a pushy breeze that kept the mosquitos away until the evening, when it clouded over and got muggy and suddenly there was a voracious swarming. 

Trail: Mostly clear of obstacles- three trees down, 2 you can step around and one is easily scooched under. Some flowers just starting, lots of unripe blue berries. 

Things I saw: an osprey, lots of trout, a fat deer, pikas (heard them more than saw them), and a dead raven on the trail, of all things. 

Lost: my phone, I think in the parking lot...who knows. Purple cover, in case one happens to find a plethora of phones and is wondering. 

Approached this from the alternate off of Meadow Mtn trail. Meadow Mountain trail up to the split with Crystal Lake trail was in good condition. After that the Crystal Lake trail became extremely brushy and the final push up to the lake is very steep. The trail disappears at times. Bugs weren't bad until the lake and then they started swarming.

Would not recommend this approach, instead the Circle Peak trail to Crystal Lake seems to be in much better condition.