Trip

Day Hike - Mason Lake

Hikes with Spikes trip to lovely Mason Lake and (if avalanche safe) Little Bandera. We will go up the old trai and down the new. 3'-6" of new snow forecasted for Monday. Should be fun, powder paradise up high. Up to 7.5 miles and 3,500' gain.

Tue, Dec 26, 2023
Committee: Foothills Hiking Committee
Activity Type: Day Hiking
Audience: Adults

Difficulty: Moderate/Strenuous
Leader Rating: Challenging
Mileage: 6.5 mi
Elevation Gain: 2,600 ft
High Point Elevation: 4,220 ft
Pace: 1.5-2.5

Leadership Permission Required
Availability: 1 (7 capacity)
Registration Open: Sat, Dec 23, 2023 at 8:22 PM
Registration Closed: Mon, Dec 25, 2023 at 5:00 PM
Cancellation & Refund Policy
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Leader's notes

A fun trip hopefully combining two great and different destinations--a lake and a peak. We will need to assess if Little Bandera is a safe objective, if not so safe regarding avalanche danger we will only do the loop to Mason Lake. Expect up to 6" of new snow on the upper parts of the trail. Microspikes and Trekking Poles are required.

Here is the Gaia route: https://www.gaiagps.com/public/tp3c6zsJVChCsWHu3FOtOrvT/

There could be snow on the access road to the TH, but likely none added from Monday's storm as the snow level will be about 3000'. The trail head is 2200'.

This trip is Leader's Permission Only. When requesting permission, tell me about your snow travel history and confidence. Also let me know of a past hike this year when you have ascend about 3000' or greater. Thanks. Rob

Meeting place and time

Meet at 10 AM at the Ira Springs TH. Northwest Forest Pass or America the Beautiful Pass required.

Getting There

From Seattle, drive east on I-90 to exit 45. Turn left and cross under the highway, then veer left onto FR-9030. About one mile from the exit, stay left at the fork onto Mason Lake Road, FR-9031. Park in the lot at the end of this road, 3.8 miles from the highway. There is a privy at the trailhead.

Route/Place