Mount Defiance Trail #1009

Dogs Unknown

Features Lake · Swimming · Views · Wildflowers

From the Ira Spring (Mason Lake) Trail #1038 or Island-Rainbow Trail, this trail heads due northwest. Follow the ridge between the South Fork Snoqualmie River and the Pratt River Valley west for 6.8 miles. Along the way enjoy great views, heather and huckleberry meadows, and short side trips to Island Lake, Rainbow Lake and Mason Lake ending at Thompson Lake.

Mount Defiance is known for its spectacular array of wildflowers, which bloom on south-facing slopes from early to mid-July. Views of Mt. Rainier and the Snoqualmie River valley are breathtaking on a clear day. An unsigned boot trail scrambles up the west ridge to the summit of Mount Defiance, a 5584' peak. Continue ahead and down the back side of the mountain into the seldom-traveled valley of Thompson Lake.

Numerous wildflowers, especially from early to mid-July.