Distance: 7.5 mi.
Elevation Gain: 2300 ft.
After a couple trips to Bandera Peak, I had been meaning to return to this trailhead to check out Mason Lake. It seemed like a great option with my toddler in tow, so we headed out with our friend Nancy and her dog Riley. We reached the TH in a little over an hour from Seattle, making it a popular destination even on a weekday. We got there a bit after 8 on a Friday and there were still several spots left at the TH. Nancy was kind enough to offer to carry T up, while I would carry her down. The hike started with a gentle, steady ascent on an old road bed, past a waterfall and with some views to the south featuring Mount Rainier on a clear day.
After about 1.5 miles, the trail really kicks it up a notch and climbs at a steeper clip with several switchbacks in quick succession. We took the first trail split to the left (north), signed for Mason Lake. This trail descended a bit before finally climbing to the outlet stream of Mason Lake, and then curving around the west side of the lake. We saw a few backpackers taking advantage of the lakeside campsites and noted that there was a privy as well. There were a few mosquitoes at the lake so we put on some picardin, which kept them at bay.
We found a more secluded spot to eat lunch and splash in the lake. It was a little deep for my toddler but she had an absolute blast playing in the shallow, rocky outlet stream. Once we got past the steep rocky section on the way down, she was able to do some of her own hiking on the wide gentle trail. All in all it was a very successful day!
(Download the free Gaia GPS app on your phone to view tracks and then get a Gaia GPS membership if you want offline access. Discount below!)
Gear:
- Day pack/carrier pack
- GPS
- Trail runners
- Trekking poles
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