Ira Spring Trail - Mason Lake, Mount Defiance, Bandera Mountain
Jun 23, 2012
by
Brad Allen (middleforkgiants)
—
last modified
Jun 23, 2012 06:43 PM
- Type of Outing
- Day hike
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: Ira Spring Trail - Mason Lake
- Region: Snoqualmie Pass -- Snoqualmie Pass
- Agency: Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
- Trails: Ira Spring Memorial (#1038)
- Avg Rating: 3.83
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: Mount Defiance
- Region: Snoqualmie Pass -- Snoqualmie Pass
- Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Snoqualmie Ranger District, North Bend Office
- Trails: Mount Defiance (#1009)
- Avg Rating: 4.12
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: Bandera Mountain
- Region: Snoqualmie Pass -- Snoqualmie Pass
- Agency: Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Snoqualmie Ranger District
- Trails: Bandera Mountain (#1038)
- Avg Rating: 4.12
- Why You Should Go Now
- Wildflowers blooming
- Be Aware Of
- Mudholes
- Snow on trail
The Mason Lake trail is essentially melted out to the lake. There is a total of maybe 200' of snow and it is definitely low-top boot if not tennis shoe material. Most of the campsites have melted out and you can easily get around that side of the lake.
As you leave the lake the snow almost immediately covers the trail. The Mt. Defiance route is definitely a snow route right now with several steep slopes and snow that just barely kicks into steps. Recommend an ice axe.
The Bandera trail is snow free and you can just walk to the top.
Confession: If you come across the worst-written USFS trail report in history on the board at the Ira Spring trailhead that is my fault. I got caught in a fast-moving storm on Bandera, got soaked, high-tailed it to the parking lot, then decided to do my "wilderness-ranger duty" and fill out the report. Frozen fingers conspired with a frozen brain and no "green form" to produce that. Seriously! If I wasn't a volunteer I'm pretty sure that would have got me fired. Sorry about that!
As you leave the lake the snow almost immediately covers the trail. The Mt. Defiance route is definitely a snow route right now with several steep slopes and snow that just barely kicks into steps. Recommend an ice axe.
The Bandera trail is snow free and you can just walk to the top.
Confession: If you come across the worst-written USFS trail report in history on the board at the Ira Spring trailhead that is my fault. I got caught in a fast-moving storm on Bandera, got soaked, high-tailed it to the parking lot, then decided to do my "wilderness-ranger duty" and fill out the report. Frozen fingers conspired with a frozen brain and no "green form" to produce that. Seriously! If I wasn't a volunteer I'm pretty sure that would have got me fired. Sorry about that!
Document Actions
- Email this page
- Print this
- Share
