A friend was up for a Friday adventure and suggested Mason Lake. I've been there several times before but not for a while, so I agreed as long as it came with a side helping of adventure of a new to me trail beyond this popular spot.
Arriving at the Ira Spring trail head at 9:00 meant we could park in the main lot which filled a few minutes later. When we returned around 3:00 cars were parked about a quarter mile down the forest road, but the main lot now had spaces. Out house was OK, no supplies. It didn't seem super crowded which was a nice for such a popular trail on a perfect weather hiking day. Lots of reports for the trail up to Mason Lake so I won't rehash. Not as many flowers as I remember from previous visits here, but the views are still grand and the Bear grass show has started if you are headed to Bandera.
Once over the ridge the trail is a little more damp until you cross the lake outlet. Crowds were gathered here to admire the always lovely Mason Lake, but once away from the outlet there are plenty of spots along the lake side to find your own singular point of admiration. With the lake being so popular there are lots of social trails amongst the large boulders on the lake side which makes navigating the main trail around the lake a bit of a challenge. There are several signs for "main trail" up on the trees, but we still took a few wrong turns along the way. Our biggest mistake was thinking the trail went down a wet muddy patch it actually veers to the right before you hit the mud. Discovering our mistake we added a few branches to block that option off. Just beyond this you will find the junction with the Mount Defiance trail with all the options listed up on a tree, so eyes up to look for that.
Once at the junction we turned east/right - signed for Pratt/Island Lakes. The trail immediately regresses to a rough track and we decided to follow it as long as we felt comfortable with navigation. The trail then climbs somewhat steeply up and then down a small ridge passing around very large impressively shaped boulders sheltering a sweet patch of Marsh marigolds. Once off the ridge we met a hiker returning who said the snow had turned him back but the pond access was manageable. Continuing on we met our first large snow bank, still several feet thick at its high point. It was not hard to cross and there was a boot track, but it did twist and turn around the trees and it was clear that not many people come this way. I would not rely on boot tracks for your primary mode of navigation. Then we were back on the path and then up and over a second snow bank before quickly arriving at the edge of a large pond.
What a delightful spot, warm and sunny we followed the trail around the pond (also known apparently as Sir Richards pond - for reasons unclear), and found a wide flat pond-side rock. By mutual agreement we decided to end our hike giving up hopes of visiting Rainbow Lake, and just enjoy our lunch break here taking in the view. Only a couple of other hikers passing by. The pond is full of small wildlife, a salamander came to check us out while butterflies flitted around - I could have stayed and lounged all afternoon. Then sadly it was time to head back.
It was a bit jarring to meet the crowds again at Mason Lake but everyone including the dogs were on their best behavior. And thanks to the faster paced hiker who rescued and returned my bandana dropped while making way for a large hiking group. The lake always has some dreamy reflections so we stopped to admire them before heading back over the ridge. Views of Mount Rainier were cloud shrouded on the way back and that will be last we see of the mountain for a while with the incoming weather front.
Notes, There are not too many reports for the trail between Mason Lake/Defiance junction and the Pratt Lake junction and I had originally planned this as a two car point to point, so thanks to Kaskade for their recent detailed report alerting me to the snow conditions.
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