johnm - Oct 8, 2023 2:31 pm Date Climbed: Oct 8, 2023
Via Mason Lake
Early start avoids the crowd. On the summit by 9:15 AM. Views for the day were outstanding. All the usual peaks visible. Foot traffic from the lake to the trailhead pretty heavy.
Criada - Jul 18, 2023 9:14 am Date Climbed: Jul 24, 2019
Beautiful hike past Mason lake with my son Rhone Hadland and Carter Hadland. Super 360 degree views.
huskertriguy - Jun 3, 2018 12:52 am Date Climbed: Jun 1, 2018
3-fer
Traversed from Putrid Pete's and did Bandera following to complete a loop. This is a fantastic summit and probably the gentlest climb of the 3.
Light scrambling from P3 as well as some very basic routefinding in the snow. Glad I had my crampons; though not necessary they added some security. Snow was relatively firm even this late in the day. Stuck to the ridgeline for most of the traverse and linked up with the Mt. Defiance Trail near the spur. Seems the most efficient and safest route especially in the snow.
The Mrs. and I hit the summit of this one not too long after dawn. The views toward the Kaleetan with Chimney Rock behind were nice. I was surprised to see Mount Adams with some nice morning glow. Spent the prior evening at Mason Lake. We avoided the crowds until the hike down from the lake.
iditarod81 - Jun 4, 2017 12:44 am Date Climbed: Jun 3, 2017
From Wahtam Lake
With my husband and son. Views of Hood were spectacular.
Quick AM jaunt on a cloudy day with occasional nice views. It's too bad you have to listen to interstate traffic up the whole first climb.
SouthernYokel - Jun 16, 2016 2:35 am Date Climbed: Jun 12, 2016
Via Mason Lake
Hit it way early to get ahead of the Disney lines on the Mason Lake trail. We were above the clouds on the summit. Good little half day hike.
Ian Culhane - Jun 10, 2016 2:06 pm Date Climbed: Dec 6, 2015
Through the blizzard
Date is approximate. After a few members of the climbing club bailed on our Mount Si trip, the three of us that were left decided to try something a bit more adventurous. And a quick visit over to Franklin Falls, we hit the Ira Springs Trail starting about 11:00. Encountered snow after about a mile; lake was completely frozen over. Past the lake the snow got quite powdery, which made it pretty difficult. We made it to within about 1/4 of a mile of the summit before calling it a day; the wind was blowing ice into our faces, which were already frozen from the cold. Booked it back down to the car; make sure you know the route if you do this in snowy conditions (We took one wrong turn near the lake but realized our mistake after about 1000'). Reached the car soaked but happy to be alive. If you find a GoPro Hero 3+ or a pair of regular glasses, somehow in our hurry we managed to lose both on the decent.
awilsondc - May 30, 2016 11:38 pm Date Climbed: May 30, 2016
Ira Spring Trail
Another one to check off the list. It was ok. Went early and made it up in a hair over 2 hours. Down was a little quicker. Made the mistake of going on memorial day and the trailhead was so crowded people were parking on the side of the road a mile from the trailhead turning the road into a one lane road. Imagine people trying to get to the trailhead and some trying to leave it on a one lane road. It sucked.
Did Defiance after Bandera. Low clouds on Bandera faded away for some decent views on Defiance but then big black clouds and thunder rolled in from the west. Heavy rain on the way back to the car.
Climbed immediately after an April snowstorm. No visibility from the summit. Freak lightning bolt struck very close to the summit as we were descending.
A couple feet of snow from Mason lake on up. Started out a blue-bird day, then nasty storms developed all around us. Somehow, not a single drop fell upon us until we got back to the truck. A blessed day all around. Great summit.
Euphonia - Dec 22, 2014 4:44 pm Date Climbed: Oct 10, 2013
yep
P3 up main trail down
Boonie1 - Aug 24, 2014 12:26 am Date Climbed: Aug 23, 2014
Mount Defiance
New trail up, old trail down.
Snidely Whiplash - Nov 11, 2013 12:22 am Date Climbed: Jun 23, 2009
Trail Approach
I defiantly climbed this on my own.
kevinsa - Oct 18, 2013 3:54 pm Date Climbed: Oct 18, 2013
johnm - Oct 8, 2023 2:31 pm Date Climbed: Oct 8, 2023
Via Mason LakeEarly start avoids the crowd. On the summit by 9:15 AM. Views for the day were outstanding. All the usual peaks visible. Foot traffic from the lake to the trailhead pretty heavy.
Criada - Jul 18, 2023 9:14 am Date Climbed: Jul 24, 2019
Mt DefianceMy first proper peak climb in the Cascades!
cascadescrambler - Sep 3, 2019 10:56 pm Date Climbed: Sep 7, 1996
Close to SeattleYou meet the most interesting people on summits. The guy we shared the summit with this day told us his previous summit before this one was Denali
thelisa - Aug 26, 2019 5:34 am Date Climbed: Aug 26, 2010
Gorgeous hikeMisty day with limited visibility.
Hiked this a day or two before running Cascade Crest 100.
tcingrum - Aug 13, 2018 2:24 pm Date Climbed: Aug 14, 2018
Ridge runUp the p3 and down the ridge. Makes a nice loop.
markhadland@gmail.com - Jul 3, 2018 4:50 pm Date Climbed: Jul 2, 2016
Successful summit with my two sonsBeautiful hike past Mason lake with my son Rhone Hadland and Carter Hadland. Super 360 degree views.
huskertriguy - Jun 3, 2018 12:52 am Date Climbed: Jun 1, 2018
3-ferTraversed from Putrid Pete's and did Bandera following to complete a loop. This is a fantastic summit and probably the gentlest climb of the 3.
Light scrambling from P3 as well as some very basic routefinding in the snow. Glad I had my crampons; though not necessary they added some security. Snow was relatively firm even this late in the day. Stuck to the ridgeline for most of the traverse and linked up with the Mt. Defiance Trail near the spur. Seems the most efficient and safest route especially in the snow.
BKW - Sep 23, 2017 11:35 pm Date Climbed: Sep 23, 2017
Cheap ThrillsThe Mrs. and I hit the summit of this one not too long after dawn. The views toward the Kaleetan with Chimney Rock behind were nice. I was surprised to see Mount Adams with some nice morning glow. Spent the prior evening at Mason Lake. We avoided the crowds until the hike down from the lake.
iditarod81 - Jun 4, 2017 12:44 am Date Climbed: Jun 3, 2017
From Wahtam LakeWith my husband and son. Views of Hood were spectacular.
seano - Jul 8, 2016 4:04 pm Date Climbed: Jul 8, 2016
Via Mason LakeQuick AM jaunt on a cloudy day with occasional nice views. It's too bad you have to listen to interstate traffic up the whole first climb.
SouthernYokel - Jun 16, 2016 2:35 am Date Climbed: Jun 12, 2016
Via Mason LakeHit it way early to get ahead of the Disney lines on the Mason Lake trail. We were above the clouds on the summit. Good little half day hike.
Ian Culhane - Jun 10, 2016 2:06 pm Date Climbed: Dec 6, 2015
Through the blizzardDate is approximate. After a few members of the climbing club bailed on our Mount Si trip, the three of us that were left decided to try something a bit more adventurous. And a quick visit over to Franklin Falls, we hit the Ira Springs Trail starting about 11:00. Encountered snow after about a mile; lake was completely frozen over. Past the lake the snow got quite powdery, which made it pretty difficult. We made it to within about 1/4 of a mile of the summit before calling it a day; the wind was blowing ice into our faces, which were already frozen from the cold. Booked it back down to the car; make sure you know the route if you do this in snowy conditions (We took one wrong turn near the lake but realized our mistake after about 1000'). Reached the car soaked but happy to be alive. If you find a GoPro Hero 3+ or a pair of regular glasses, somehow in our hurry we managed to lose both on the decent.
awilsondc - May 30, 2016 11:38 pm Date Climbed: May 30, 2016
Ira Spring TrailAnother one to check off the list. It was ok. Went early and made it up in a hair over 2 hours. Down was a little quicker. Made the mistake of going on memorial day and the trailhead was so crowded people were parking on the side of the road a mile from the trailhead turning the road into a one lane road. Imagine people trying to get to the trailhead and some trying to leave it on a one lane road. It sucked.
Dundeel - Sep 6, 2015 1:09 pm Date Climbed: Sep 5, 2015
Post BanderaDid Defiance after Bandera. Low clouds on Bandera faded away for some decent views on Defiance but then big black clouds and thunder rolled in from the west. Heavy rain on the way back to the car.
BooRadley - Jul 20, 2015 10:47 pm Date Climbed: Apr 25, 2015
Snow at DefianceClimbed immediately after an April snowstorm. No visibility from the summit. Freak lightning bolt struck very close to the summit as we were descending.
Walkoutnow - Apr 10, 2015 1:27 pm Date Climbed: Apr 9, 2015
Weather bubbleA couple feet of snow from Mason lake on up. Started out a blue-bird day, then nasty storms developed all around us. Somehow, not a single drop fell upon us until we got back to the truck. A blessed day all around. Great summit.
Euphonia - Dec 22, 2014 4:44 pm Date Climbed: Oct 10, 2013
yepP3 up main trail down
Boonie1 - Aug 24, 2014 12:26 am Date Climbed: Aug 23, 2014
Mount DefianceNew trail up, old trail down.
Snidely Whiplash - Nov 11, 2013 12:22 am Date Climbed: Jun 23, 2009
Trail ApproachI defiantly climbed this on my own.
kevinsa - Oct 18, 2013 3:54 pm Date Climbed: Oct 18, 2013
Mount DefianceQuick 2fer along with Bandera.