Bandera Mountain
This trail is in extremely good shape and is well maintained. It makes for smooth traveling and is comfortably wide.
It starts out on the Ira Spring Trail with a very gradual elevation gain and winds gently through the forest. At about a half mile you will cross a creek (the only chance for water on this trail) that runs through a culvert passing under the trail. At about 2 miles it begins to take a steeper path, but is still easily handled by most hikers. The trail starts to open up into spacious meadows and gives you great views of Mt Kent and McClellan Butte. After a long traverse to the east and a few switch backs, you will come to a trail junction. To the left is the gentle sloping trail to Mason Lake. To the right the trail for Bandera Mountain will take up the steepest section of the hike. You will gain over 1000' in about a mile. You will reach the top of a ridge and have to negotiate a few mild scrambles over large boulders, but the panoramic views are well worth it. Then you will stand atop the 5,200' peak of Bandera Mountain.
Driving Directions:
From I-90 take exit # 45. Go left onto Forest Service road 9030. Continue on 9030 and then veer left onto Forest Road 9031. Road 9031 is a gravel road that is narrow and full of potholes. Follow 9031 until it dead-ends at the Ira Spring trailhead that accesses Bandera Mountain and Mason Lake trails. Recent Trip Reports
Hiked here recently?
Submit a trip report!
There are
253
trip reports for this hike.
See all trip reports for this hike.
Bandera Mountain
— Nov 05, 2011
— JulieWestSea
Day hike
Issues:
Snow on trail
Expand report text
Hide report text
Read full report
Walked right from fall into winter! Most of the fall color has now passed, and there was a lovely dusting...
Walked right from fall into winter! Most of the fall color has now passed, and there was a lovely dusting of snow on the trees for the last leg of the trail. Yak Trax or poles ould be helpful (although I managed fine without) on the last piece of the trail as it was a little slippery and icy, and likely to get worse from here on out. The top ridge was just stunning with the fresh snow and icicles on the trees, and there was a nice view of Rainier.
I have to say I do love this trail -- the top meadows are always spectacular, plus it's a good workout and easy to get to.
Bandera Mountain
— Sep 22, 2011
— nolife15
Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming | Ripe berries
Issues:
Bugs
Expand report text
Hide report text
Read full report
Trailhead only had two other cars when we arrived, and we were immediately warned of a large black bear at...
Trailhead only had two other cars when we arrived, and we were immediately warned of a large black bear at the junction between the trail to the lake and the trail to Bandera mountain, though we nor none of the other 6 or so people we encountered coming down had seen it.
Bugs were present most of the time, but even without repellent I seem to have escaped unscathed. They were more a nuisance than anything. Mostly overcast with sun breaks, myself (age 28) and my friend (age 29) were both sweating profusely in the 70 degree-or-so heat. Personally I feel the term "mild scrambles" is an understatement. Don't get me wrong: this was a great hike. But even for two youngish guys in fairly good shape, the last portion from the trail junction was TOUGH. I am by no means a hiking expert, but I think unless you do these kinds of hikes regularly, the last 1/3 will require a good amount of resting. You're going to be using your hands or sticks extensively to CLIMB not HIKE over a lot of this portion. Though it's not as long as the first part, it is a very steep grade and you're going basically straight up the mountain for most of it. That said, the view is amazing. Almost 360 degrees, and you're higher than almost all the surrounding hills. You can actually see Seattle even on an overcast day, which is pretty amazing as it's 50 miles away. My final suggestion would be that those of us with old knee injuries should be very careful on this one. Going down especially when your legs are already tired is an easy injury if you aren't paying careful attention.
Bandera Mountain
— Aug 27, 2011
— u2doodle
Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
Issues:
Bugs
Expand report text
Hide report text
Read full report
Bring Deet! I wish that there had been an honest write up of this hike so that those who...
Bring Deet! I wish that there had been an honest write up of this hike so that those who are not one of the 25 year old cowboy hikers who were going up this section of the trail could be prepared. So here is a write up from a 50 year old perspective. The Bandera trail is the same as the Mason lake trail but they split way up near the top. The Bandera Y of the trail begins steep and gets worse. When you have to use your hands to get up and down boulders isn’t that rock climbing? So be prepared with poles. Finally when you slowly have navigated this steep terrain about a mile you are there. The flowers are all in bloom but the blueberries are not ripe yet. The view is beautiful indeed but now you have to go down…. You get the idea. Bring sunscreen because you are exposed from the Mason Lake cut off to the top. The biting flies and Deer flies were seriously bad. Get there early to beat the crowd and the heat. Bring lots of water too.
Bandera Mountain
— Aug 27, 2011
— Amanda E
Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
Issues:
Bugs
Expand report text
Hide report text
Read full report
Beautiful day at Bandera Mountain! The trail begins at very mild incline for the first 2 miles. The next...
Beautiful day at Bandera Mountain! The trail begins at very mild incline for the first 2 miles. The next 1.75 miles are steep, with a mild rock scramble at the top. You will not need trekking poles if you are in good health, most of the climb is easy to manage. However, this trail will be simple for experienced hikers, and much harder for those who are used to more gentle hikes like Rattlesnake. Please be aware that the trailhead is mostly exposed, so wear sunscreen and bring lots of water. I would also recommend bug repellent.
Bandera Mountain
— Aug 04, 2011
— hikabiker
Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
Expand report text
Hide report text
Read full report
Why would anyone hike this trail? It is crowded. The freeway noise is constant. The shooters are shooting guns nearby....
Why would anyone hike this trail? It is crowded. The freeway noise is constant. The shooters are shooting guns nearby. Then I got to the trail junction and headed up the steep, open trail towards Bandera summit. The freeway began to sound like a distant river, the shooters quit shooting and the wildflowers! It was one of the finest flower displays I have ever seen, huge views too.
|
Photo by "Resting Flower"
|
Document Actions
- Email this page
- Print this
- Share
Forgot your
New user?
