This was an overnighter into the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Due to the wilderness rules we had to limit our group to 12 members. Popularity forced us to split into two groups, one departing at 9am and the other at 11am. I was part of the 9am group.
This hike was short but very strenuous as we had to climb a high mountain pass before descending into beautiful lake basin. Like the 1950’s movie land of the lost. However there were no dinosaurs (that we spotted). It was a wonderful hike on Ira Spring Trail up the side of Bandera Mountain, with views of the Snoqualmie River Valley below and Mt Rainer peeking over the rugged mountains to the south as we ascended the steep slope. We had to stop quite a few times for water and fuel (cookies and beef jerky) in order to complete the task. But the reward was great as we go to the cool peaceful Mason Lake on the other side of the mountain.
We set up camp on the shore next to a bunch of giant granite boulders. The 11am scout group found 2 sites adjacent to ours. We practiced cooking on stoves, and filtering lake water for drinking. We took a hike to the other side of the lake looking for a spring but they were all dried up. It was a hard hike over granite boulders, dubbed by the scouts as the “Playground of Death”. The scouts preferred lounging lakeside after the long hike I think.
We slept overnight in our tents (most of us). It began raining in the morning so we skedaddled out of there. As soon as we hit the trail the rain stopped and as was assured us by one of group members earlier, that there was blue sky on the other side of the mountain, it turned out to be true. We crested the ridge for the long descent with beautiful views of the mountains valleys and Mt Rainier. It was a much easier hike out and we were back to our cars for the ride home in just under 2 hours.
We set up camp on the shore next to a bunch of giant granite boulders. The 11am scout group found 2 sites adjacent to ours. We practiced cooking on stoves, and filtering lake water for drinking. We took a hike to the other side of the lake looking for a spring but they were all dried up. It was a hard hike over granite boulders, dubbed by the scouts as the “Playground of Death”. The scouts preferred lounging lakeside after the long hike I think.
We slept overnight in our tents (most of us). It began raining in the morning so we skedaddled out of there. As soon as we hit the trail the rain stopped and as was assured us by one of group members earlier, that there was blue sky on the other side of the mountain, it turned out to be true. We crested the ridge for the long descent with beautiful views of the mountains valleys and Mt Rainier. It was a much easier hike out and we were back to our cars for the ride home in just under 2 hours.
Washington Trail Association stats
Location: Ira Spring Memorial (#1038)
Snoqualmie Pass Area, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Roundtrip: 6.0 miles
Elevation Gain: 2550 ft
Highest Point: 4750 ft
Thanks, Chuck Guy, ASM Troop 626
Location: Ira Spring Memorial (#1038)
Snoqualmie Pass Area, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Roundtrip: 6.0 miles
Elevation Gain: 2550 ft
Highest Point: 4750 ft
Thanks, Chuck Guy, ASM Troop 626
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