Trip Report
Day Hike - Mason Lake
Approach and trail were all in great condition. There is a pit toilet at the trailhead, however it's still closed for the season. Plenty of parking in the lot.
Will Tooker
- Sun, Jan 19, 2025
- Day Hike - Mason Lake
- Ira Spring & Putrid Pete's Peak Trails
- Day Hiking
- Successful
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- Road suitable for all vehicles
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Approach in was clear and the potholes aren't too large or frequent. Relatively easy to navigate through and the road isn't too dusty, if you are following another car.
The trail is in good condition, easy to follow, and clear of deadfall. We made it to the split in the trail at 4,120', where to the left you can follow the Ira Spring trail to Mason Lake and or Mount Defiance go right to Bandera Mountain. In both cases, the existing snow pack, at the time of our hike, did not have a boot path that proceeded much past this split in the trail. This trail split is located in an established avalanche chute and the slope of the mountain is in the 50+ degree range. Proceeding beyond this point, in the opinion of this Hike Leader, is beyond the scope of a Day Hike, as crampons, a trekking ax, and the skills to self-arrest would required, as the run-out has a high consequence outcome potential.