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 - from Mount Baker near the Canadian border to Mount Adams (and very faintly, Mount Hood) near the Columbia River and the -Oregon border.

Start climbing the Ira Spring Trail, following it as it ascends the old logging road and then the true trail toward Mason Lake. At about 2.7 miles, as you skirt above the shore of Mason Lake, turn left at a trail fork. Right leads down alongside Mason Lake and on toward Rainbow and Pratt Lakes.

This left-hand path climbs for 2 miles, running through forest and open slopes to an elevation of 5240 feet. You'll find yourself in a broad meadow packed with wildflowers and views. Those with no desire or skill to scramble can enjoy this wonderful wilderness garden, but those looking for a little more can push on.

A rough path runs steeply up the ridge to the summit of Mount Defiance at 5584 feet. From here, the views are as good as you'll find anywhere. Due north look for the snow-capped cone of Mount Baker and to its right and a little closer in, Glacier Peak. Turn and face west to see the South Fork Snoqualmie Valley running down into the Puget Sound lowlands and, beyond, the sawtooth ridges of the Olympic Mountains. Face south and enjoy the massive mountain that is Rainier and behind it, Mount Adams. To the west of these you might see the abbreviated summit of Mount St. Helens, and in the gap between Adams and St. Helens, look for the faint outline of Mount Hood (count yourself lucky if you see it). Finally, look east and take in the long ridge to Bandera and Pratt Mountains.