Ira Spring Trail/Bandera Mountain

Ira Spring Trail/Bandera Mountain-Snoqualmie Pass/North Bend

After a Sunday spent at Oyster Dome, I needed a little bit of a breather from the gaggles of people and was craving a summit. I was considering Granite Mountain, but after reading trip reports and weather, it seemed that there may be a little bit more snow on top then I wanted to deal with. I have been dying to check out the Ira Spring Trail since I got the hiking bug.  Ira Spring was such an advocate for the wilderness, it seemed fitting to check out this trail on such a sunny day in February. There is a lot of parking, and was about 20 cars in the parking lot when we arrived. It was a little heartbreaking to see all the trash piled on a rock at the trailhead. I really wish people would follow the saying, "leave no trace."  I was pretty stoked that the trail was so wide and pretty easy until you get to the Mason Lake/Bandera Mountain fork.  

As you begin your ascent to the summit, you will get a full body work out. The trail is a basically scrambling and climbing over boulders and rocks. You do get a little break before the summit, when you walk through a covered forest. After you get out of the forest again you have about 500-800 feet of boulder fields to the summit. It was well worth it. Seeing Rainier and other mountains, was pretty AMAZING.  This was a great hike for someone who is trying to challenge themselves and get more comfortable with scrambling and hikes. Can't wait to come back to the area and do Mount Defiance.

Until the next adventure.

Man's Best Friend, Summit, and Rainier, LIFE IS GOOD.