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Ira Spring (Mason Lake) Trail #1038

Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
 4.1 (29)
  1. Areas
  2. WA
  3. …North Cascades
  4. …Wenatchee National Forest
  5. Alpine Lakes Wilderness
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“An old roadbed leading to Mason Lake and much more! ”

Brian Smith
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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

Land Manager: USFS - Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Office

Shared By:

Brian Smith
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.1 from 29 votes

#1

in Alpine Lakes Wilderness

#293

Overall
  4.1 from 29 votes
5 Star
36%
4 Star
50%
3 Star
11%
2 Star
4%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#1

in Alpine Lakes Wilderness

#18

in Washington

#293

Overall
8 Views Last Month
2,402 Since Jul 1, 2015
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
4%
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59%
11%
26%
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Add a Photo

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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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

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Check-Ins

Sep 9, 2022
Jacob Lee
3.8mi — 3h 30m
Jul 9, 2022
Katherine Costello
limited parking, some minor potholes but manageable 7.6mi — 4h 16m
Jul 5, 2022
Chandler Gardiner
Sep 25, 2021
Jake Woll
Aug 22, 2021
Calan Simpson
Quality trail even in the rain and clouds. Bring lots of water and rain gear. 3.8mi — 1h 50m
Aug 15, 2021
Rebecca C
This is a constant uphill trudge. The Lake is really pretty and worth the hike, but I might make a day of this next time by getting to the lake early. 3.5mi — 2h 30m
Jul 31, 2021
Marketa Podebradska
Aug 8, 2020
Yadvendar Champawat

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