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An old roadbed leading to Mason Lake and much more!


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Map Key

3.8

Miles

6.2

KM

Point to Point

4,277' 1,304 m

High

2,192' 668 m

Low

2,242' 683 m

Up

157' 48 m

Down

12%

Avg Grade (7°)

45%

Max Grade (24°)

Dogs Unknown

Features Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Description

Start on an abandoned road grade, crossing Mason Creek at milepost 0.6 and continuing east for another mile before leaving the road grade to switchback up through open south-facing slopes to the junction with Bandera Mountain Trail.

At the junction take a right for a steep scramble up Bandera Mountain or continue 0.2 miles left to the ridgeline, which marks the boundary of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Continue 0.4 miles, losing 300 feet in elevation, to the Mason Lake outlet at milepost 3.4 and follow the west shoreline before gradually climbing to the junction with Mount Defiance Trail #1009 at milepost 4. From the junction, head west to Mount Defiance and Thompson Lake or east to Rainbow and Island Lakes.

Enjoy fantastic wildflowers displays late spring through summer. On a clear day find several vantage points with views of Mt. Rainier. Bandera Mountain summit is at 5,240 feet elevation.

Contacts

Shared By:

Brian Smith

Trail Ratings

  4.1 from 28 votes

#318

Overall
  4.1 from 28 votes
5 Star
36%
4 Star
46%
3 Star
14%
2 Star
4%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#24

in Washington

#318

Overall
8 Views Last Month
2,402 Since Jul 1, 2015
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

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Photos

Clear view over the Cascades on the way down from Mason Lake.
Nov 16, 2021 near Riverbend, WA
Mount Rainier from the Ira Spring Overlook
Jul 17, 2018 near Riverbend, WA
Mason Lake
Jul 1, 2015 near Riverbend, WA
Trail between the overlook and Mason Lake
Jul 17, 2018 near Riverbend, WA
Mason Lake covered in snow
May 8, 2015 near Riverbend, WA
Check out the lower falls on the Ira Spring Trail #1038.
Jun 19, 2017 near Riverbend, WA

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