Bandera Mountain — Saturday, Jun. 10, 2017

This hike starts out on the Ira Spring Trail. The hike is easy at first, but gets more difficult as you progress. At the end of the Ira Spring Trail you will have the option of going up to Mason Lake, or onward to Bandera Mountain. The trip up Bandera Mountain is steep and rocky. Poles are helpful coming down. It was very cold at the top, and there was some snow (though nothing covering the trail). It was overcast on the day we hiked up so we did not see Mt. Rainier, but there were still some great views. The wildflowers are blooming. The trail was pretty busy, and the parking lot was full when we arrived at 11:00. It took us about two hours to hike up and an hour and half to hike down, with many stops for photographs.