Bandera Mountain, Ira Spring Trail - Mason Lake — Thursday, May. 27, 1999

Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area

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.