Ira Spring Trail - Mason Lake
Jul 29, 2012
by
Tanaya
—
last modified
Jul 30, 2012 04:32 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
- Hiking Companions
- Hiked with a dog
- Why You Should Go Now
- Wildflowers blooming
Calm, quiet, serene. Taken 07.29.2012 by Tanaya Lanning Meagher
My hiking partner and I got an early start rendevouzing in Covington at 5:30 am, which, even with a stop at Starbucks, put us at the trailhead before 7:00 am, and we were only the second vehicle there that morning. Nothing beats scoring primo parking at a trailhead.
The morning sky was socked in with low hanging clouds, or what some might call fog, but there were breaks in the clouds that alluded to the possibility of sunny skies.
I had checked the most recent trip reports before we headed out that morning, so I knew about the helicopter logging operations that have the road closed during the week...but what they didn't mention (or maybe I just overlooked) was that the underpass at exit 45 is completely blocked so if you're traveling eastbound from Northbend, you have to go to exit 47, get back on I-90 going westbound, and then exit again at exit 45 to get to USFS Road 9030.
After filling out our Alpine permit and slathering in bug repellent, us humans donned our packs, and our canine companion Lily donned her harness and leash and off we went. We just took it slow and steady up the trail enjoying all of the runoff and the two waterfalls and taking lots of pictures. There are a ton of stunning wildflowers in bloom everywhere you look and the day was the perfect temperature for a hike. Not too cold and not too hot.
The trail was clear and dry the entire way which made for easy foot travel for all three of us. Once we reached Mason Lake, it was still early enough that the mist was rising off the dead-still water and the rock rims of the surrounding mountains were shrouded in fog that gave a very peaceful calm to the moment.
We got to enjoy our lunch lakeside with only one angler coming up on us. Then we headed down and were back in the truck by 11:30 am. By that time the parking lot was full and vehicles were packed and stacked along side the road for a good 1/2 mile back down the road so if you don't want to add extra miles to your trip, get there early like we did so that you can have trailhead parking!
The morning sky was socked in with low hanging clouds, or what some might call fog, but there were breaks in the clouds that alluded to the possibility of sunny skies.
I had checked the most recent trip reports before we headed out that morning, so I knew about the helicopter logging operations that have the road closed during the week...but what they didn't mention (or maybe I just overlooked) was that the underpass at exit 45 is completely blocked so if you're traveling eastbound from Northbend, you have to go to exit 47, get back on I-90 going westbound, and then exit again at exit 45 to get to USFS Road 9030.
After filling out our Alpine permit and slathering in bug repellent, us humans donned our packs, and our canine companion Lily donned her harness and leash and off we went. We just took it slow and steady up the trail enjoying all of the runoff and the two waterfalls and taking lots of pictures. There are a ton of stunning wildflowers in bloom everywhere you look and the day was the perfect temperature for a hike. Not too cold and not too hot.
The trail was clear and dry the entire way which made for easy foot travel for all three of us. Once we reached Mason Lake, it was still early enough that the mist was rising off the dead-still water and the rock rims of the surrounding mountains were shrouded in fog that gave a very peaceful calm to the moment.
We got to enjoy our lunch lakeside with only one angler coming up on us. Then we headed down and were back in the truck by 11:30 am. By that time the parking lot was full and vehicles were packed and stacked along side the road for a good 1/2 mile back down the road so if you don't want to add extra miles to your trip, get there early like we did so that you can have trailhead parking!
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Flower power. Taken 07.29.2012 by Tanaya Lanning Meagher
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Thoughtful. Eric Swanson pictured by permission. Taken 07.29.2012 by Tanaya Lanning Meagher
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Falling water. Taken 07.29.2012 by Tanaya Lanning Meagher
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