Summary: The lingering snow conditions at ~3400-3600ft make Bandera unsuitable for hiking and not particularly friendly to climbers at this time. At least two weeks of continuing warm weather may allow less treacherous access to the ridge. Peering out my office window in the afternoon, I noticed the sun was still shining so after work I gathered up my pack and dog and headed up I90. Most of the humps past Mt. Si are still blanketed in snow, but Bandera's South-Western slopes looked like they might provide a relatively snow-free route up to the ridge. This trail, jokingly referred to as 'Barracuda' amongst friends, has been a favorite despite its mean temper. Early on we couldn't remember its actual name, but the misnomer was reinforced because its steep, rocky, and uneven ascent can chew up hikers whole limbs at a time. However, the initial road portion of the trail provides a good warm up and cool down to the demanding remainder. The road portion of the trail is clear with only one messy blowdown. Once the climb begins the trail continues to be usable for at least a couple hundered vertical feet. Patches of snow begin to appear while the trail is still in the forest. But as the trail breaks out of the trees and before it joins the higher wide open slopes, it seems the mountain can't decide whether to remain snow covered or not. The sometimes thin, sometimes thick layer of snow makes the already bad-excuse-for-a-trail much more treacherous. This trail is essentially unhikeable at this point. Imprudent as I am, I countinued on and a couple of hundred feet brings you back to either firm snow or dry trail. I chose the trail as the snow had fallen out of favor with me. The ridge can then be attained without further inconvenience. The ridge itself is still clutching an enormous cornice, so I stayed off the snow until I entered the patch of trees that marks the final ascent. The final summit ridge is snow free, but the slope between it and the trees is still well covered. Though the slope is not especially steep it has the potential to carry unwary hikers off the mountain. I would advise caution and the use of an ice axe and climbing boots. On my way down I ran into two nice couples who confirmed my earlier assessment and wisely refused to cross the messy trail-to-snow transition zone. They asked about the 'lake', and I said ""what lake'"". Apparently, they were intending to go to Mason Lake via Bandera's shoulder. I never saw the lake as I held true to my turn-around time which stopped me just short of the summit. Though I haven't been on the Mason Lake trail this year, I suggest sticking to it if you want to see the lake for the Bandera route is not passable without ice axe and climbing boots.

Road to trailhead is open and snow-free, with one short deep muddy section. Nice outhouse. Had to hike about 45 minutes to reach skiable snow (~3000ft).

With the nice weather over the weekend, I was looking for a relatively avalanche safe route to the top of something. Dallas Kloke's book ""Winter Climbs: One Day Ascents"" lists the west ridge of Bandera as meeting those requirments (note - this is not the standard route that ascends the south face! The south face has extreme avalanche danger right now - please don't go up that route!), so off we headed to give it a try. The road to the Bandera (and Mason Lake) trailhead is snowed in, so we opted to park on the north side of I-90 at exit 42 (make sure you park off of the pavement - otherwise you're considered to be ""in the interchange"" and subject to towing). The first portion of the trip commenced with slash crashing and bush bashing from where we'd parked up about 700 feet until we came out onto the road to the trailhead. It's actually not that bad of a bush bash, but it gives you plenty of opportunity for barked shins and twisted ankles - be careful. Once on the road, we followed it to the Mason Lake trail turnoff, and started following contour lines up the Mason Creek drainage. Near where the large boulder field is in summer, we ascended some short, steep snow fields in the trees to gain the west ridge proper. From there, it was a pleasant ridgetop walk in mostly sunny conditions up and over the false summit and on to the true summit. Large conrnices kept us well back from the ridge where we could, and the sunny views made the effort worthwhile. (Note: Although this route offers ""low avalanche hazard,"" it does not offer ""no avalanche hazard"" - keep that in mind before heading out on this route and make sure you know what you're getting into.)

After hearing reports of a $100,000 toilet at the Mason Lake trailhead, I just had to see for myself! I showed up too early at the Park-N-Ride, and was nearly wrangled into a work party by our webmaster. Matt and Steve appeared however, and saved me from an otherwise equally enjoyable fate. I realized I am losing perspective on what makes a good trail (time to join another work party): ""if it does not go straight through the devils club, is more than 2 inches wide, and you can follow it, then it is OK"". I suppose there were several blow downs, some boot sucking mud and icy root ladders and boulders, but otherwise it fit the definition of OK trail. Of course, the snow started at 3500', so we only saw part of the trail proper. After Steve postholed around some rocks for us on the final ascent, we enjoyed the clear skies on top, grateful that we were not testing our rain gear. Steve also gave us an inspiring demonstration of how not to wipe out sidehilling across steep semi-snow covered brush The toilet was indeed one of the three most impressive I have ever experienced (BYOTP). Mushrooms above 2500' are frozen :(

Annette Lake, Denny Creek, Mason Lake, Pacific Crest Trail, Pratt Lake, Snow Lake, Talapus Lake, Denny Creek - The Alpine Lakes - I decided to take advantage of the good weather and take down all the permit boxes at the trailheads along the South Fork Snoqualmie. Wilderness permits aren't required until May, but the Trail Park Passes are required year-round. Wilderness rangers will be out on the trails this weekend to get the end-of-season updates on trail conditions. Snow level currently varies between 3000 and 4000 feet. Expect new windfalls on the trail. Trails will be muddy due to the freeze/melt cycle until the snow finally settles in. The Snoqualmie Pass Visitor Center is closed for November but will be opening in December for the winter. Snowshoe introduction will be offered every weekend from January thru March. Call 425-434-6111 for details, starting in December. Thank you WTA volunteers for the great work this year.