Snow Lake
Early fall color appearing on shrubs
16 this month · 213 reports
Snoqualmie Region
HOOK: fall colors are out HOOK: ripe blueberries are available
The Ira Spring Trail to Mason Lake is in excellent condition, with no snow reported since mid-August. The road to the trailhead is generally good, suitable for all vehicles, though a few potholes have been noted and drivers with low clearance should be cautious. Fall colors are beginning to appear, especially in the upper sections of the trail, and ripe blueberries and huckleberries can be found closer to the lake. Bugs are not a significant issue, and water crossings are manageable. Parking can fill up, particularly on weekends, with reports of it being two-thirds full by mid-morning on a Friday September 18 and full by 10 am on a Saturday. Forest Service rangers have been present, checking for passes.
Generated from 190 trip reports. Trails change faster than reports do, so check anything you’d turn around for.
Generated from the most recent trip reports, newest 5 days ago. Check anything you’d turn around for.
The road to the trailhead is generally in good condition and suitable for all vehicles. However, a few potholes have been reported, so drivers with low clearance should exercise caution. The road was described as the best it has ever been in August 28, with no potholes encountered.
Parking at the trailhead can fill up, especially on weekends. It was about two-thirds full by mid-morning on a Friday September 18 and full by 10 am on a Saturday. Arriving earlier in the morning, such as around 7 am, can help secure a spot.
The trail is reported to be in great condition with no significant obstacles like blowdowns as of August 13. There were a few wet areas noted on September 14, and a challenging stream crossing was reported on the way to Blazer Lake on August 28, though this is beyond Mason Lake itself.
Bugs are not a significant concern on this trail. Multiple reports from August and September indicate no bugs or that they were not too bad. One report from August 13 did mention being harassed by a bug, possibly a hornet, for about half a mile on the way back.
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Trail notes generated from recent reports. Conditions change fast.
It's been ten years since the last time I did this hike, we were with a buddy that is no longer with us. Definitely felt his presence, nature has a way to heal the soul. It was a great day for a hik...
I had not been to Mason Lake in over 10 years. It's a favorite of my hiking partner. Hoping to see a little fall color and clear skies for views. Took the Lil dog so wanted to be sure he didn't ove...
Trail is in great shape and the fall colors are really starting to pop! Arrived a little after 10 on this Friday and parking was about 2/3 full so I’m sure weekends are overflowing. TP was out in the ...
Cool, misty day. Just a few cars there at 8:30am. The Lake was quite still, and almost in the clouds. Fall colors starting to come out.LOST: I left a black REI Flash backpack in the parking lot. If yo...
I arrived at the parking lot around 11AM, no trouble finding a spot on a Monday. The trail was in good condition with a few wet areas, and took a little over 3 hours round trip with a 15-20 minute bre...
Trail was in excellent condition. I went to the lake via an alternate route, and down the regular trail. Lake was sitting in the clouds, so no views.The parking lot had a half dozen cars when I got th...
Today was our first time tackling this trail and I think it might have become a favorite! The road up is in good condition. We around 8:30 and there were a few spots left in the parking lot. There wer...
Pretty hike, well maintained.
Cool and overcast morning when we began. The trial was in great condition and saw about two dozen or so other hikers spread out over the course of the morning/early afternoon. The hike is heavy uphill...
With smoke on the eastern side of the cascades and many trails closed due to forest fires, I picked Mason Lake on the west side for a Friday hike. Though I have hiked this mountain many times, I have ...