Ira Spring Trail - Mason Lake — Thursday, Jun. 15, 2023

I really should read more trip reports, I really should, because there’s many times where the trail I go on is either closed, overgrown, or painfully boring. (Mt. Washington anybody?). Anyways, I never learn and (based solemnly on the time and distance) blindly pick Mason Lake because I’m starting a hike with a friend at 3:00. No research but I’m ready to walk up a steep hill. We arrive and start from the Ira Spring trailhead and start climbing quickly. I was feeling serious deja vu, I had previously attempted to do a hike walking this same trail during the snow season, but between falling into the snow constantly past my knees, and sliding down the hill screaming with nervous laughter I had decided to come back another time. We passed a pleasant dime-a-dozen waterfall on a bridge and woods were pretty decent on the way up, nothing too unique regarding the trail. Theres trees believe it or not. My favorite part was when we had around .8 mi to go. There’s a sizably rocky clearing that lets you have views across to Olallie state park, Iron Horse, and Mt. Rainier. I had already inhaled 30 oz of water and we decided to hit Rei afterwards so I could add another bottle to my collection and Costco to get chicken bakes. The last jaunt of the hike descends (I know), but It well worth it when you get to the Lake, enjoy the streams coming from Lake where you can fill up your water bottle and follow the trail around the side of the lake clockwise to find some a rock to relax on. This is the time where you say “NOW THIS IS WASHINGTON” and then start heading downhill. We ended up getting back at 8:10 and took off. We did not make it to Rei or Costco.