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Karen Member
Joined: 22 Dec 2001 Posts: 2866 | TRs | Pics
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Karen
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Thu Aug 07, 2008 1:50 pm
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Since Bob and I both had time constraints we needed to find some adventure off I-90 and the "old" trail to Mason Lake fit the bill.
Oh, don't worry. I am NOT writing up this trail for any publication. If you want to know more about where to find it, refer to the older hiking guidebooks or maps.
The old trail was not new to me, I'd hiked it before and remembered the fun on the boulder field. Seriously.
I must have rocks in my head because I enjoy boulder fields!!
No major problems with the old trail or the boulder field except it was muggy and it took some sweat and four-letter words to get to Mason Lake.
There we found some beargrass still in bloom and only a couple of other hikers.
After a rest we continued on to the little tarn and Rainbow Lake. Personally I think the little tarn is prettier than Rainbow Lake. Just a couple of tiny snow patches on the trail. We considered Alaska Lake, too, but the time constraint made the prospect of hiking fast not a pleasant one.
We took the Ira Spring trail down (the new Mason Lake trail) and were treated to an unexpected bonanza of flowers - notably Indian paintbrush and fireweed.
Karen
We took the "old" Mason Lake trail Beargrass, Mason Lake Rainbow Lake More Indian paintbrush Flowers, Ira Spring trail Panorama from Ira Spring trail Mason Lake trail Fireweed, near Mason Lake trailhead
stay together, learn the flowers, go light - from Turtle Island, Gary Snyder
stay together, learn the flowers, go light - from Turtle Island, Gary Snyder
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Backpacker Joe Blind Hiker
Joined: 16 Dec 2001 Posts: 23956 | TRs | Pics Location: Cle Elum |
Miss. Karen, is the old trail still a viable trail? Is it still usable? Is it still accessible?
"If destruction be our lot we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen we must live through all time or die by suicide."
— Abraham Lincoln
"If destruction be our lot we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen we must live through all time or die by suicide."
— Abraham Lincoln
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tigermn Member
Joined: 10 Jul 2007 Posts: 9242 | TRs | Pics Location: There... |
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tigermn
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Thu Aug 07, 2008 1:56 pm
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Malachai Constant Member
Joined: 13 Jan 2002 Posts: 16093 | TRs | Pics Location: Back Again Like A Bad Penny |
All of TNAB went there a couple weeks ago on the way to Defiance.
"You do not laugh when you look at the mountains, or when you look at the sea." Lafcadio Hearn
"You do not laugh when you look at the mountains, or when you look at the sea." Lafcadio Hearn
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The Angry Hiker SAR Blacklistee
Joined: 13 Jun 2008 Posts: 2890 | TRs | Pics Location: Kentwila |
Great photos, although you got the flower names wrong.
How were the bugs on the Ira Spring trail?
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Karen Member
Joined: 22 Dec 2001 Posts: 2866 | TRs | Pics
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Karen
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Thu Aug 07, 2008 3:05 pm
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Angry Hiker,
There were a few bugs on the trail - but I'm not the person to ask as I seldom get bitten. I haven't bought bug juice in over 20 years, I don't seem to need it.
Flower names wrong? Which ones?
Karen
stay together, learn the flowers, go light - from Turtle Island, Gary Snyder
stay together, learn the flowers, go light - from Turtle Island, Gary Snyder
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Slow Hiker Member
Joined: 01 Jun 2008 Posts: 370 | TRs | Pics
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Karen wrote: | The old trail was not new to me, I'd hiked it before and remembered the fun on the boulder field. Seriously.
I must have rocks in my head because I enjoy boulder fields!! |
Karen, I agree with you. I liked the old trail too, and the boulder fields. Biggest Salmon berries Ive ever seen there, and actually sweet. Thanks for letting us know it is clear and ready to challenge the rest of us. The steep rooty ascent after the boulders was the worst part, especially coming down.
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touron Member
Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Posts: 10293 | TRs | Pics Location: Plymouth Rock |
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touron
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Thu Aug 07, 2008 4:48 pm
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Touron is a nougat of Arabic origin made with almonds and honey or sugar, without which it would just not be Christmas in Spain.
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Joey verrry senior member
Joined: 05 Jun 2005 Posts: 2799 | TRs | Pics Location: Redmond |
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Joey
verrry senior member
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Thu Aug 07, 2008 5:00 pm
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And of course there is the 'other' old trail that ascends on the left side of the boulder field. Although steep in spots it provides for a descent in the shade on a hot day.
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Malachai Constant Member
Joined: 13 Jan 2002 Posts: 16093 | TRs | Pics Location: Back Again Like A Bad Penny |
"You do not laugh when you look at the mountains, or when you look at the sea." Lafcadio Hearn
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steve_podleski Member
Joined: 19 Sep 2007 Posts: 309 | TRs | Pics Location: mukilteo |
Went on the 'new' trail to Mt Defiance this weekend and looked for the old trail. Could not see an entry at the Mason Creek falls or an exit at the creek source at Mason Lake. How can you find this trail?
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Slide Alder Slayer Member
Joined: 14 Jan 2002 Posts: 1960 | TRs | Pics
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I'm with you Joey, I thought the old trail went to the left in the summer and up the boulder field in the winter, that is how I did it.
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Malachai Constant Member
Joined: 13 Jan 2002 Posts: 16093 | TRs | Pics Location: Back Again Like A Bad Penny |
We went up Mt. Defiance this weekend on the Ira Spring (couldn't do too much steep for recovery) saw both ends of the trail but will not post it here.
"You do not laugh when you look at the mountains, or when you look at the sea." Lafcadio Hearn
"You do not laugh when you look at the mountains, or when you look at the sea." Lafcadio Hearn
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33teeth Member
Joined: 25 Aug 2008 Posts: 420 | TRs | Pics
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33teeth
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Tue Sep 09, 2008 11:21 am
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I did Ira Spring to Defiance on Sunday. Your pictures look better than it did in person!
I saw a bear just above the Ira Spring trail on the slope of Bandera and another on the Slope just shy of the summit of Defiance.
A very fine day!
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