Bandera Mountain, Ira Spring Trail - Mason Lake — Sunday, Apr. 19, 1998

Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area

The Alpine Lakes - The trail up to Mason Lake has snow starting about1/3 to 1/2 the way up. Much of it is in that in-betweenstage where snowshoes aren't needed, but you punchthrough in boots too often. It's solid snow soon,and on this warm day quite slushy. But I got tohike in my shorts for the first time this year. Good thing Ihad my sunglasses on, too! Having just read the webmeister's hint on how toimprovise gaitors with rolled-down socks and pulled-down thermal pants,I managed to keep relatively dry feet. Mason L. is99% covered in snow (just the outlet is thawed), andsome brave souls had walked across it. I continuedpast little Mason L., and on up to Mt. Defiance.Perfect day, little wind and views from Baker to Adams.The slopes were avanlanche-prone, but the route to thetop is fairly well protected most of the way.