A fairly quick hike to an alpine lake with some decent views along the way.
Trail Stats:
6 miles round trip, 2100 feet of elevation gain
Directions:
From Seattle, take I-90 east to exit 45. At the end of the off ramp, turn left on to Forest Service Rd 9031. Continue on this road approximately 3.5 miles until you get to the trail head at the end. Note that a NW Forest Pass is required to park in the lot. Be sure to also fill out a permit at the trail head.
Trail:
The Mason lake hike isn’t what I would consider difficult, but the rewards are quite higher than one would expect in this short of hike. Fantastic views of Rainier on clear days, a gorgeous alpine lake to rest by in the shadow of Bandera mountain.
The hike itself uses the same trail head and about half of the trail to Bandera mountain. As with Bandera, the trail starts at the end of the parking lot, just left of the outhouse. Be sure to pick up a hiking permit at the box on the left side of the trail head. As you can see from the route profile, the hike starts out pretty flat. It’s mostly a stroll through the woods at this point along an old logging road. Along the way you’ll pass two somewhat picturesque waterfalls. At approximately 2 miles, the real fun begins. You will pop out of the woods and in the middle of a moraine, strewn with boulders. The trail is still very well marked and if it’s a clear day, the views will open up.
At approximately 2 miles, you will come to a fork in the trail. The path to the right takes you to Bandera and the left to Mason lake. Keep to the left and the path will continue to a pass. Before you go over the pass, turn around and take in the view for a bit. This is the best area to see Rainier on this hike and the surrounding peaks.
Continue over the pass and you’ll descend 100-200ft as you head towards the lake. 10 minutes of hiking later, you’ll finally see Mason lake. The trail continues around the edge of the lake, so keep hiking until you find a good spot to stop for lunch. There is also a latrine available, should you need it. It’s just off the main trail at the head of the lake. Beware that the lake gets particularly buggy in the summer, so bring some repellent.
Once you’re done with your lunch and have rested long enough, turn around and head back the way you came.
