I started the day before 6 AM at the Ira Spring trail parking lot. Privy had no light, no TP, and no hand sanitizer. I had all three. Come prepared boys and girls. Headed up to Mason Lake then to the summit of Mt Defiance around 8:30 AM. Summit was in clouds.
Then I headed downhill west to Thompson Lake. The trail to Thompson Lake is fairly easy to follow though clearly less loved than the trail to Mason Lake or even up to Defiance. There are multiple blowdowns one of which consist of several particulary gnarly trees that provide multiple opportunities for stabbings as you climb over. I heard a pretty large rockslide on the way down but saw no evidence on the trail itself.
Thompson Lake is pretty. I went all the way around scouting for campsites for a future trip and found nothing which was disappointing. The trail around the lake is littered with blowdowns and is hard to follow. If there are campsites by the lakeside they aren't obvious.
I then headed back, summiting Mt. Defiance for the 2nd time of the day to find that the clouds were only slightly broken (couldn't see Mason or Kulla Kulla).
Considered a summit of Bandera but instead decided to run back to the car. 17 miles. Over 6000 ft of elevation gain. Well deserved shower beer.
Rangers were writing tickets. Bring your NWFP.
More details and lots of pictures here:
http://www.fiftytwoswitchbacks.com/bloghike-reports/north-of-90-mason-lake-mt-defiance-thompson-lake
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