Ira Spring Trail - Mason Lake — Saturday, May. 31, 2025

This is really a wonderful trail -- great views throughout, some picturesque falls, a beautiful lake to spread out around and explore, and a nice steep climb to make you feel like you earned it. Seriously, it's steeper than it looks on the map preview.

Trail conditions were perfect this morning. Dry tread, no obstacles, no snow up to Mason Lake. Heard some low bellowing calls of grouse while crossing a talus field.

A decent amount of people and dogs out enjoying the AM sun before the PM fog and rain. Camping sites around the lake looked good, with small streams flowing for water access. The lake surface appears pretty scummy near its outlet at the moment -- hope this clears up as the season goes on.

Parking was full by 0845 and overflowing down the unpaved road, which, although potholed, seems passable for any vehicle. When I left around 1245, cars were parked at least 3/4 mile away from the trailhead.