There are a few trees across the Mason Lake Trail between the rock field and the lake. There are no trees across the trail from Mason Lake on the Mt Defiance Trail to the junction with the Pratt Lake Trail. There is a jumble of two or three trees across the Island Lake spur trail. There are no trees on the Pratt Lake Trail from the junction with the Mt Defiance Trail to the junction with the Talapus Lake Trail. There is a jumble of three trees across the trail where the Talapus Lake Trail crosses Olallie Creek. There are no trees across the trail on the Talapus Lake Trail from Olallie Creek to the trailhead. There is no snow along the entire route. Mason, Island, Rainbow, Blazer, Talapus and Olallie Lakes are all thawed and all campsites are snow-free.

The trail is completely snow-free. Mason and Little Mason Lakes are completely thawed. The lake basin is snow-free. There are a few trees across the trail between the boulder field and Mason Lake.

Went back up for another attempt on Mt. Defiance, this time with my sister, La Marisposa. Conditions have changed little since June 3 report, except that all the snow around the lake seems to have melted out. It was supposed to clear up in the afternoon, but it rained constantly the whole time on the trail. Fog covered most of the lake, it was barely visible, but it appears to be 100% melted out. Wet and exposed, Butterfly pointed to the return trail so I was defied by the mountain once again. It was hard to keep dry with the abundant wet foilage on the trail and constant rain. Next time. Back at the trailhead (1:30PM), the sun was out but the hills were still socked in only 100m above. No trail pass enforecement apparent today. R/T 5 miles, 3 hours with time for lunch.

Finally a day without hordes on this trail! Only a dozen vehicles in the lot when I got there on a Sunday afternoon. The reason of course is that the rains continued unabated throughout the day. This was definitely the time of year to do this trail. The creek was gushing and cascading. The old growth forest was old growth-ing. The lake had just a hint of slush and the far side slope was white. The problems of the hike are no different that they always are on this trail: mud and more mud, sections more aptly described as a scramble, too many roots and too many routes.

The cutoff for the Mason Lake trail is clearly signed with a big wooden post, although it looks like it could fall over with a slight push. The ""trail"" quickly turns up and gets rough, always following along Mason Creek. It goes over roots and rocks, through mud, along narrow little muddy paths cut in hillsides, and under numerous giant trees which look like they have been covering the trail for years. Arriving at the Boulder Field, I saw some flag tape around a tree just to the left, and it led across the creek (over giant boulders, you could barely see it) to a trail through some trees along the left side of the creek and boulder field. Eventually (with a lot of effort), the trail works its way back near the top of the boulder field (wood post FS sign), and along a further steep trail. Nearing the lake at a level area in the forest, the day's first snow covers most of the trail. The lake is about 75% covered with snow, but its a very thin layer and it looks like it could be melted out in a week. I headed up towards the ridge for Mt. Defiance, but I had already lost a lot of time route- finding and wasn't in the mood for any more! The trail is amost all snow covered from this point (although the mountain slopes are probably well cleared), and no one else appears to have made it even to the lake today, so I had no footprints to follow, and called it a day. R/T 5 miles. An excellent challenging trail, not for families, but plently of solitude (the masses were all going to Bandera, it seems)... Why are trail park passes required for a trail that hasn't seem maintenance in over a decade'!! Just say no (passes) to the USFS!!!