Washington Trail Association- Trail Report
General: Very good hike – great views on the way and great lake at the top. Won’t recommend this as a family relax hike though. Trail approach is easy to find (approach road is full of potholes), parking is good (with Northwest forest pass), limited facilitates at the trailhead, wide and clean trail, moderate challenge (6.5M+ round with 2.5K gain). When I went the wild flowers were in full bloom and there were stretches where you will feel as almost hiking in a garden. Mason lake is serene and beautiful and reaching there is so rewarding after all the hike.
Day specific: I did this in the evening (started at 4:40 PM).
• People: There were around 30 cars in the parking lot. Most of traffic was coming back after hike. There was only 1 person who was going up after me.
• Condition: There was not a single spot of water on the trail. Trail very well maintained.
• Plants: Amazing wildflower bloom and you see all colors- red, yellow, violet, white, purple. It was beautiful.
• Animals: Tons of bugs
Details:
• Approach: Straightforward. Take exit 45 on I-90, go under the highway and turn left. Follow FR-9030 then FR-9031. You won’t miss these. The 3 mile stretch is full of potholes, so be very careful with your car.
• Trailhead: Wide parking. You will need a NorthWest Forest pass ($5 day or $30 annual) to park here. Some facilities there at the trailhead.
• Trail: I will split the trail to Mason Lake into four stretches:
o Slow climb: for first 1+ Miles. Slow and steady ramp. Around 0.7M you will cross the Mason creek- it was pretty easy to cross (there were rocks and also some logs) but can imagine it being a more challenge in other seasons.
o Steep Climb: Tough part of the hike. For around 1.5+ Mile. Limited views. Ramp and few switchbacks.
o Above tree line: For around o Climb down to Mason Lake: around 0.5M. Mostly downhill, alpine area. You see lake from around 0.4M and there is water overflow which is easy to cross. People even camp here for night.
• Destination: As I started late, I was the only person in whole lake and so it was extremely peaceful. You can choose your own boulder and rest. Believe lot of folks even swim here.
• Took me 4:34 hrs.; 7.08M roundtrip; 2917 ft. elevation change (all my Runtastic app)
• Till you cross into Alpine wilderness area (last stretch) you hear continuous I-90 noise.
• Named to honor Ira Spring- who co-founded WTA.
Beautiful hike and will recommend to anyone serious on hiking. Enjoy.
