Day Hike - Mount Defiance

Meeting place and time 9:00 at TH (I-90, exit 45 - follow 9030 to 9031)

Leader's notes This is a naturalist hike with stops to identify and enjoy the flora and fauna. Wildflowers should be out in full force on Bandera ridge and the south slope of Defiance. From the parking lot we follow the trail along an abandoned fire road, eventually switchbacking out of the woods. After gaining Bandera ridge, we drop into the Alpine Lake Wilderness. At Mason Lake we pick up the trail to Mt Defiance, passing Lake Kulla Kulla; snow patches are likely. From the meadow on the south slope, the last few hundred feet to the 5584 ft summit is reached by a very steep side trail. Note that this is a long (11-mile) hike with 3700 ft of elevation gain (according to "55 Hikes Around Snoqualmie Pass"). NW Forest Pass required. Asst leader: Kristen Simpson. Questions: e-mail leader at dsimpson@io.com.