Finally did this calf-burner for the first time. This is a good workout, but I'd recommend doing it on a cooler day because a lot of the hike is out in the open with the hot sun beating down on you as you very steeply hike/scramble up to the top. There's a new trail being made that'll be for both Bandera Mtn. and also for Mason Lake. Wow, what a comparison! The old trail is an extremely steep (almost scramble) for a long ways and the new trail is nicely graded. We encountered a sign that said ""Trail closed for Trail Construction"" and then ""Stay Out, Blasting Area"" (or something like that), at the start of the new portion of the trail, so we took the old trail like good little hikers. :p After some time, the old trail crossed the new trail and they were doing some construction not far ahead. Sounded like they might have been drilling/jack-hammering holes for dynamite or something, but I really don't know for sure. That was the point we ran into the only other hikers of the day. Got up to the top -- OH, THE HUCKLEBERRIES ARE RIPE UP HIGH!!!!! -- and found a shady area to sit and deet up. Yes, the skeeters were hungry if you weren't moving. Actually, there was this one spot on the ridge where they were so thick it was amazing, but on the way down the crowd of the buggers had dispersed. Anyway, it appeared that the trail work had been done for the day and on the way down we took the new trail for the portion it was done. Wow. That was so nice! Looks like a lot of work but it will sure be nice!

Great views up top of Mason Lake, Lake Kula Kula, Rainbow, and Mt Rainier and I'm not sure but I think it was even Mt Baker you could see way off in the distance, among many other impressive peaks. Great workout, so you can skip legs at the gym when you do this hike! Enjoy!

The first part of the trail is simple, then you hit a steep climb up to a ridge. Just beyond the turn for the steep part, it looks like the trail is being re-worked. The climb is broken up nicely by frequent stops for the just ripe huckleberries and (near the ridge) blueberries. Mmmm. Once to the ridge, you can easily get to a high point w nice Rainier views (on saturday, Rainier was just popping up above the low stratus, pretty!). Beyond the high point, there is the faint semblance of a trail leading to the actual Bandera Mt. I tried to follow it, but it's really overgrown and didn't get more than a 1/3 mi. Bring a machete if you feel some need to 'conquer' the mighty Bandera (or just want to do some fun bushwhacking). I'm thinking most people stop at the first high point. You can see Mason and Island Lks from there. Mosquitos out in force.

The trails to Bandera Mountain and Mason Lake are being replaced by a new trail. This new trail is in excellent condition through the end of public access at 3300 feet elevation, where the old Bandera Mountain Trail takes off uphill. Foxglove and pearly everlasting are in flower. Sky was clear with moderate temperatures.

Got a late start today and got to the trail head around 11:15am. Weather wasn't too hot, not too cold. Trail is in great shape. Crews are still working on the new trail so the dog and I had to take the old route.

Got up to the summit in about 1:33 and was greated by a ton of bugs. i moved down a little onto the ridge where some slight breezes took care of the bugs.

Lake Talapus and Mason are totally melted and i only saw one small patch of snow off the trail.

Views were sketchy as there was still quite a bit of cloud cover moving in out. Looks like the clouds cleared up when i returned to the parking lot around 2pm.

Only saw 9 people and 1 other dog on the trail which is a great alternative to the hundreds of people on Si.

Bring bug juice and poles for the trek down.