Late July - the height of Summer in Washington. Warm temps, sunny skies - an ideal time to visit Defiance Mountain, via Mason Lake! Our fearless crew once again set out for the oft-taken Exit 45 toward the newly annointed Ira Spring trailhead, setting off just before 6:00 PM. We only needed part of it, because the spur we wanted is located about a mile from the start. This trail, now decommissioned, switches up the slope awhile, then forks into two options: lower, on the left (overgrown with vegetation,wetter and deadfall obstacles); and upper (on the right, steep, dusty, with a talus traverse).
To this point, it appeared that very few hikers had been through the area recently. A layer of pine needles covered the trail, making for soft stepping. Following Larry's blazes, the majority took the upper option on the ascent. No problems there until the talus field, where the promised cairns were conspicuously absent. Even so, we found our way to main trail with little trouble. From there, it was just a matter of overcoming the rugged last bit of trail to reach our first destination: Mason Lake!
Within minutes, most of our crew was in the water, enjoying a nice respite from the sweaty, dusty trail. Although still cool, I thought the water was warmer than it has been in the past. It had taken us roughly 1.25 hours to get to the lake, earning ourselves nearly 20 minutes of refreshment. With some reluctance, we climbed out of the water and regained the trail for the final push to the top of Defiance.
Compared to the passage to the lake, the trail to Defiance Mountain from the lake was a breeze. The long contour that runs on the east side of the peak was in shadow, but still provided us with awesome vistas McClellan's Butte and Mount Rainier. Even Adams was out for the show! Some of us (myself included) couldn't leave well enough alone, and chose to summit via a very straight scratch on the mountainside about halfway across the meadow, before the "real" trail to the top. Loose rock and dirt, mild bushwhacking, and copious bugs strategically flying at mouth level were par for the course. Guess I didn't need that power bar after all!
By 8:15 PM, most everyone was on the summit, enjoying the views. Visibility to the south was great, but to the north it was hazy. In the direction of Mount Stuart, there was a long, low dark band that could only be the result of the recent forest fires in the area. As usual, it was a bugfest, and I applied Deet for the first time this year on a TNAB hike. We lounged for a while, then by 8:30 PM or so, it was time to leave, with the majority taking the official route down. A couple brave souls tried Don's "secret" route off the northside, but only made it halfway before finding the main trail again. Past Mason Lake, everyone took the high route out, knees be damned!
We made very good time on the descent, arriving back at the parking lot around 10:10 PM, in the company of a crescent moon. Within seconds of our arrival, out came the liquid refreshments! Amy, Mike, Don and Linda - thanks guys! If only Damon had saved the artichoke-jalapeno dip for after the hike, instead of before, we would have had a full-blown party! :)
Good times - great hike!
Attendees: Amy, Cameron, Chris, Damon, Don, Jason, Larry, Linda, Mark, Mike, Russ
Next Hike: Red Mountain - a TNAB favorite!
On Deck: Humpback Mountain - first done as a TNAB hike last year. I missed it then, I sure won't this time!
In the Hole: Kaleetan Peak/Melakwa Lakes Overnight! If you can't make the overnight, the lakes themselves are a worthy destination. It'd be nice to get a headcount of who's planning the camp out, and who's in it for the hike - let me know by 8/5/04 - thanks!
-Mark
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