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
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Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
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The parking lot was filling up at 9:00 AM. We started out in clouds with occasional sun breaks, and...
The parking lot was filling up at 9:00 AM. We started out in clouds with occasional sun breaks, and the clouds didn’t lift until we descended from Mason Lake in the afternoon. The wildflowers in the Alpine meadows were the highlight of this incredible hike. The trail is in great shape up to Bandera and Mason Lake. I recommend doing this hike now while the wildflowers are peaking.
Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
Issues:
Bugs | No water source
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Exit 45 is closed coming from Seattle ! Take exit 47, then get onto I 90 to Seattle. Exit 45 is open...
Exit 45 is closed coming from Seattle ! Take exit 47, then get onto I 90 to Seattle. Exit 45 is open coming from Spokane.
Trail is in excellent shape and climbs at a decent elevation till the Mason Lake and Bandera intersection. We left around 10.30 and reached the top in 2.5 hours. Saw quite a few pets whose owners looked more tired on reaching the top. No snow on trail but very misty at the top so preferred time to go up would be in the afternoon around 3 or 4 pm. Last 1 mile has a quite a few boulders to climb to scramble to the top. Came back comfortably down in about 2 hours with a mixed group of first time hikers and experienced ones. Some bugs at the top so carry a bug spray.
Bandera Mountain
— Jul 16, 2012
— GlacierLily
Day hike
Issues:
Road to trailhead inaccessible
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Weekend trip reports sounded great, but the road is blocked for helicopter logging Monday through Fr...
Weekend trip reports sounded great, but the road is blocked for helicopter logging Monday through Friday until noon.
Bandera Mountain
— Jul 15, 2012
— kash
Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
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If you are coming from seattles, and take exit 45 to go to 9030, then that under bridge road is bloc...
If you are coming from seattles, and take exit 45 to go to 9030, then that under bridge road is blocked, you have to go to exit 47, and come from another side to continue.
Road to trailhead is full of potholes as has been said in other trip reports. Didn't know this trail is so popular, parking lot was full at 9. First part of the hike till it splits for mason lake and bandera summit is fairly easy, with a regular gradient. We went up Bandera, and what a view it is, flower show all around you. It is bit steep, and scramble sometimes. I would suggest good boots and poles. There is no water, snow on trail, its all dry. Took us 1:45 to go up, and 1 hr to come back, were in a hurry, so we did some light jogging on the way back. Northwest pass required for parking. Kash Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
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This hike is in the book 'Best Wild Flower Hikes' and I can see why. You don't need perfect weather...
This hike is in the book 'Best Wild Flower Hikes' and I can see why. You don't need perfect weather to enjoy this hike. The flowers are the star of the show right now. I am sure you will notice the views too when the clouds clear. That last steep section of the hike is like the stairway to heaven. (No kidding, bring poles they will help in the descent of this rocky stairway) Challenging climb but well worth it. Trail is in great shape - no snow, no blow downs, no mud.
Arrived early (8:30 ish) lot was half full. Trail was not crowded going up. More were headed up as we were on our way down to an overflowing lot. Bring plenty of water - no water source on most of the trail. |
 Photo by "Resting Flower"
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