Mount Defiance
Last modified
Nov 01, 2009 03:37 PM
Defiance is futile! This peak and its stunning views will amaze you. The long ridge spine to the north of the South Fork Snoqualmie River (the I-90 corridor) offers some of the steepest hiking trails in the Cascades, but also some of the best views. Mount Defiance gives you both, and lakeside rest areas make the thigh-burning climb well worth the effort. Plan your trip when the atmosphere is clear (right after or a few days before a storm--look for barometric pressure changes to clue in to weather changes). With clear skies and clean air around you, views will stretch across the breadth of Washington-- Recent Trip Reports
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Day hike
Features:
Fall foliage
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Though the weather prognosticators called for "mostly sunny" conditions, I never saw a glimpse of the big yellow ball. Rather,...
Though the weather prognosticators called for "mostly sunny" conditions, I never saw a glimpse of the big yellow ball. Rather, the hike began in fog and ended high on Mount Defiance's flank in a snowstorm. Light snow, mind you, nevertheless pretty cold. And windy - winds all day were easterly, 10-15 mph with 40 mph gusts.
I never made it quite to the summit due to the winds, which were really ripping along the summit ridge. Since my hands were going numb I turned back just a few hundred feet from the summit. But I'll try again as this is really an enjoyable hike. Once past Mason Lake I didn't see a single person; most turn around at Mason Lake, missing some excellent scenery. The trail itself is in good condition, particularly the section leading to Mason Lake, where trail crews have been busy smoothing out some of the rocky sections traversing rockslide chutes.
Mount Defiance
— Sep 04, 2009
— john deer
Day hike
Features:
Ripe berries
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It was surprisingly good weather on Friday morning as we headed out I-90. As usual, there was no initial...
It was surprisingly good weather on Friday morning as we headed out I-90. As usual, there was no initial plan but we soon agreed on Mt Defiance. Another surprise, the road to the trailhead was in good shape. Again, we were surprised (or perhaps amazed) at the trail washouts that caused the road washouts. It was no surprise that we turned up the "old" trail to Mason Lake. Another surprise was that the trail has received an incredible amount of unofficial maintenance. There were still the big blow downs to crawl under but much of the devils club had been brushed out. At the lake we took a short break before Bill put the hammer down and pounded up the trail to Mt Defiance. Fortunately, the blueberries in the open meadow on the south side of the peak were at their peak. After an incredible feasting, it was time to follow the steep boot path to the summit. At first, the weather was still gorgeous with views of Baker, Glacier, Rainier, and Adams. Before my sandwich was gone, the weather had shrouded Rainier and the sky looked increasingly ominous. Back at Mason Lake, there were either tons of fish jumping or it was raining. We made it back to the car before the skies really opened up.
Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming | Fall foliage
Issues:
Bugs
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Fall is coming and the colors are starting to show.
Ralph and I went out to get some pictures and...
Fall is coming and the colors are starting to show.
Ralph and I went out to get some pictures and some exercise. There were some brief showers starting out but the sky above started to clear while the marine layer lingered below. We left the trail by Mason lake too soon and ended up at Little Mason lake. So we backtracked and got on trail #1009 going west. We took the spur trail on the west side of the summit, to the top. Wildflowers are still in bloom on the open south slope. Only wildlife seen was a Douglas squirrel and some frogs in the marsh area. Did I mention the bugs - almost forgot to. The summit was crowded with small flying insects. In spite of that, we ate lunch there and ingested a few in the process. http://www.flickr.com/[…]/
Mason Lake, Mount Defiance
— Jul 22, 2009
— zschrempp
Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
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Our attempt to ascend via the old Mason Lake trail failed and we ended up traversing eastward along the ridgetop...
Our attempt to ascend via the old Mason Lake trail failed and we ended up traversing eastward along the ridgetop in order to rejoin with the current trail. The Defiance trail is clearly marked by a signpost slightly past Mason Lake. Beautiful day with good visibility. Some bugs.
Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
Issues:
Washouts
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Had planned on doing Mt Defiance sometime over a long weekend with gorgeous weather Friday and Saturday but did hikes...
Had planned on doing Mt Defiance sometime over a long weekend with gorgeous weather Friday and Saturday but did hikes elsewhere. Had Monday off and figured this would be a good day to avoid the crowds. I was right, however, weather did not cooperate, overcast pretty much all day. Set out anyway to cloudy skies and mist. Road to trailhead has 3 or 4 partial washouts that are progressively harder to negotiate. All are well marked, and it sounds like are scheduled to be repaired soon. I was able to get past even the last one with my SUV in 4X highest setting. The last washout isn't far from the trailhead for those that can't make it. First part of hike is on Ira Spring trail and is a gradual ascent in forest on a wide trail. Shortly in, the trail passes Mason Creek and some small falls. Trail forks off to left after about a mile and ascends more steeply. Some talus slopes and meadows are reached and at about 2 1/2 miles a junction with the trail to Bandera Mt is reached. Lots of wildflowers (lupine, tigerlillies, paintbrush, beargrass, etc) on the open slopes, would probably really be something on a sunny day! A short distance later the trail descends somewhat down to Mason Lake and goes over an outlet to Mason Creek. Continued on to junction with trail #1008 and went left (west). Continued ascending through forest up ridge and onto shoulder of Mt Defiance. More wildflower-laden meadows up high. The summit was not completely visible to me so I hoped for a well defined spur trail/boot path. My hopes would not be dashed as a cairn marked the spur trail which was easy to follow all the way up. I had not seen anybody on the trail to this point and had the summit all to myself, unfortunately no views. On the descent I passed 2 young guys and later saw about 8 people or so setting up tents at Mason Lake. They were doing campsite restoration and would be there until Thursday. Forecast was good so they would get some better weather. Saw 4 or so more people on way down. To me this hike is moderately difficult but not too bad if taken at a steady pace. No gruelingly steep parts, trail in pretty good shape, even upper climber's path. No scrambling required. Only 2 or 3 blowdowns, which were easy to get over. Will definitely do this one again on a clear day.
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Driving Directions
From Seattle drive east on I-90 to exit 45 (Forest Road 9030). Drive north, then stay left on FR 9030. About 1 mile from the freeway, you'll encounter a fork. Stay left again, now on Mason Lake Road (FR 9031). At about 3.9 miles from the freeway, park where the road is blocked--the road continues on the other side, but only for foot traffic. |
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