Today was the perfect time to check out this outstanding new trail, named for the late, esteemed trails advocate and photographer. The weather was mild, the air unusually clear, the new trail in superb condition for its upcoming dedication, the creeks running, no bugs and--for once--few people. This trail WILL become extremely popular(probably TOO popular), one of those best visited only on weekdays, due to the weekend thundering hoards. But do see it! It's the best new trail constructed around here in years.

Finally made it up for the Talapus-to-Mason dayhike, prompted by reports of halfway decent weather, after being thoroughly rained out during my attempt over the holiday weekend. Hit the trail around 9:30 amid occaisional sprinkles and made good time, stopping here and there along the way. The trail was snow-free but very muddy and wet all the way to the Pratt Lake turn-off, but was in great shape after that until decending into the valley around Island and Rainbow Lakes. Hit the first real snow patches at that point, but nothing requiring any creative navigation. Several of these pop up along the trail through the valley, but since these are the last hold-outs of the season, and thus still fairly thick, postholing wasn't a problem. When I reached the Island Lake turn-off I decided it would be a good time to put on the gaiters and raingear. This proved fortuitous, since I had no sooner done so when I was buffetted by rain, wind, sleet and snow-- all at once. Made a brief and soggy stop at Rainbow, remembering the similar downpour the time I first set eyes upon the little lake, and continued on to Mason, arriving at around 1:15. I was just finishing lunch at about 1:45 when clouds rushed in from both east and west, then promptly burst into a steady deluge causing me to bug-out and head back to the car. The storm follwed me most the way back to the Pratt cut-off before the rain finally let up. Afterwards I was even taunted by a few sun breaks and patches of blue sky until I made it back to the car at around quarter to five. All in all a good time, very few people and only a couple cars in the parking lot.

What a nice trail! Straight up with only a few switchbacks,and almost finished down to Mason Lake. I'm afraid it will be or is already another 'Si.'We counted thirty cars upon our return at 2 PM, and this in midweek. Gorgeous views on a perfect day. First Beargrass we've seen this season. The only minus: forest road 9031 needs to have its many potholes filled.

Headed up at 7:40 am, with another 8 or so cars in the parking lot. Trail was a dream the whole way up to the top of the ridge, no snow or blowdowns. Went down into the basin (seemed everyone else was heading up to Bandera). Some snow left down in the basin, but very little with 2 tiny crossings. The basin was socked in with a misty fog-very pretty that way. Some mud in the basin though, and the creek is running nicely. When leaving the parking lot was full, and cars lined the road a good 1/4 mile down.

After parking one vehicle at Mason Lake TH drove the dirt road back down and up the other side to the Talapus TH for this ~10mi thru hike. The first two miles to Talapus were uneventful (other than the constant rain, thank goodness for ponchos), and the lake was very quiet as expected due to the weather conditions. On to Ollalie. At the Pratt Lake Trail intersection, just before the outlet stream (which was running quite strong, though crossing would not have been a problem)we opted to bear left up the west side of Ollalie to allow a short break on the lakeside. Met a small group of scouts enjoying the peaceful waterfront, but there was no looking up for a view, as the fog and clouds prevailed. Snow patches on the trail thus far had been few and minor. The misty rains continued. From the north end of the lake we headed up the side of the hill to join the Pratt Lake trail, turning west. When the ridge opened up to broad views, we could see down to Ollalie and Talapus Lakes and across to Bandera Mountain, but the cloud cover continued to obscure anything farther than that. There was one long patch of snow on the ridge, just before the intersection where the Pratt Lake Trail drops downhill. At this poing there had been far less snow than expected. The rains continued, as did we, heading west toward Rainbow Lake. The trail slowly gains a little more elevation and at one point the precipitation actually contained a bit of sleet. It didn't last long, and the trail was in very good shape. Met a lone backpacker looking for his buddies. He'd missed the Granite Peak turnoff several miles back. Finally we came to a talus field which was totally covered with snow, completely obscuring the trail. We tried to follow what looked like boot tracks, but the rain had packed down and hardened the snow so much it was difficult to tell boot tracks from pelted snow on the rocks. Occasionally we punched through the snow (waist deep) during this crossing, although it wasn't truly a hazard, as the terrain is not too steep. When we came out on the other side of the field, slightly lower than we started, the blanket of snow continued, and evidence of boot tracks were not obvious. We followed the trusty compass west, and low and behold, before we knew it there was a sign indicating the intersection for the spur to Island Lake (just like we knew we were on the trail all along). On westward to Rainbow lake, which was not completely covered in snow. The frozen/snowcovered sections were a beautiful jade green color. At this point route finding became more difficult. Every direction looks the same on this lake basin as it is so flat, and there is a large meadow. We turned to Tika the hikerdog for advice and she merely enjoyed froliking in the wonderful blanket of snow, which was quite lovely. Wandering around a bit trying to follow the terrain we went too far north and came to cliffs heading down to Blazer Lake. an awesome waterfall heading down to that lake was the most sceninc find of the day. Heading back to Rainbow lake eventually we ran into a lone hiker who knew the trail (having not been past the Pratt Saddle, on one side or Mason Lake on the other, we were in new territory to us) and headed us in the right direction. We had to climb just a little as as we left Rainbow Lake behind, coming to another large pond which we followed around the north side and up again to a high point where Bandera Mountain and the cliffs down to Mason Lake were suddenly in clear view. We started down in the wrong direction, but our newly befriended trail guide quickly righted us (thank you Jay and Shadow). Once we started the descent to Mason Lake we left the snow behind us and were quickly back into a bonified trail with mud, roots and all, although in general this trail is in as good of shape as one would expect for spring time. At Mason Lake we took a break for lunch, the soup warmed us from the inside out. The lake was quiet, with no sign of campers - the reward for enduring rainy weather is solitude. There had been several cars in the parking lot many hours ago when we left vehicle #1 there. Either everyone had come and gone, or they were all in search of other points. (Bandera, Defience, Putrid's Peak, who knows). We opted for the new Mason Lake trail to the car, which meant climbing up to the ridge on the side of Bandera Mountain, which was uneventful, as the few minor patches of snow did not obscure the trail at all. We were thankful for the new trail, as faithful hiking dog Tika would probably have been a total mudball had we taken her down the old one following the creek. (Instead she was only half mudball, so much better on the car upholstry). We're looking forward to doing this another day. Hopefully with lots of sunshine. Yes there will be hordes of people, but the vistas will be great, and I'm thinking that meadow must have some superb floral displays if I time it right.