Ira Spring Trail - Mason Lake, Talapus and Olallie Lakes — Monday, Aug. 18, 2025

If you can arrange a car shuttle, the one-way, 9.5-mile hike from the Ira Spring/Mason Lake trailhead to the Talapus Lake trailhead combines a good workout in the steep ascent to Mason Lake with a knee-friendly, gentle descent to Talapus Lake. Between the two popular lakes, you'll have several miles of trail almost entirely to yourself and pass a string of lovely lakes: Rainbow, Island, and Olallie (optional half-mile spurs take you to the latter two). We went on a Monday and there was plenty of parking at both trailheads; weekends are a different story. The various trail junctions along the way are well-marked. No bugs. Our hike took just under 8 hours, including stops for lunch and huckleberry-picking.