Backpacked to Mason Lake on Saturday 6/14 for a one-night trip. Got to the Ira Spring trailhead around 7:30am and there were a decent number of spots in the lot. By about 8:30, cars started parking down the road. The trail was well graded and maintained up until the lake. It was super foggy so we didn’t get any of the views that we had hoped for, but still beautiful in its own way! Got to Mason Lake around 10:30 and we only spotted one other group camping. There are a number of spots right along the lake and a few more back along the main trail. After dropping our packs, we headed up to Mt Defiance. While steep, the trail was also well-maintained. There were a few snow patches in the forest, but very easy to either walk over or walk around. Lots of wildflowers along the ridge line near the field, and at the top of Mt Defiance it was still completely socked in with fog. We hiked down and camped the night at Mason Lake. By evening there were about 5 other groups there that we could see, and the fog finally lifted for great views of the lake, Bandera and Defiance.
In terms of water, the lake was the main source along the way up to Defiance from the TH.
Sunday morning we packed up, and since the weather was clear, we decided to hike up to Mt Defiance again. The views were absolutely stunning once you get to the talus fields and ridge line, and the 360 views at the top are incredible. I highly recommend it! The way hiking down from Mason was also beautiful with great views of Rainier and the mountains around I-90. We couldn’t believe we had missed all of that on the way up due to the fog.
When we got back to the Ira Spring TH around 1:30 on Sunday, we counted 151 cars parked in the lot and along the road on our way out. Certainly a popular area, and I see why!
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