With gas prices skyrocketing, it seems as if the days of escaping the city for an amazing hike in the wild have long gone. Who can afford to drive two hours before hitting the trailhead? But don’t despair. With just a little research we’ve found an amazing hike less than 60 miles from downtown Seattle. This hike includes a pristine alpine lake, breathtaking views, and a walk through a forest so beautiful you’ll forget about the struggle of your pesky finances. Day Hiking: Snoqualmie Region, from The Mountaineers Books newest Day Hiking series, offers a chance to submerge oneself in the wilderness, while also conserving precious gasoline.

IRA SPRING TRAIL (under 60 Miles from downtown Seattle )

Rating: ***

Round Trip: 6 miles (11 if you continue to Mount Defiance)

Best Hiking Season: June-Oct

Ira Spring, a legendary trail advocate, helped to propel hikers into the wilderness through the pages of more than 60 guidebooks published by The Mountaineers Books. It seems fitting that this rehabilitated trail to Mason Lake bears Ira’s name, as it serves as a representation of his life’s work on the importance of trail maintenance. The fact that his namesake trail leads to a beautiful mountain lake is also appropriate, as Ira loved lakes of all kinds and sizes. For those looking to tackle even more than a beautiful alpine lake, the Ira Spring Trail continues on a strenuous climb to the top of Mount Defiance.

Today, the Day Hiking series attempts to take up where Ira left off, continuing to inspire and educate the public on the importance, and beauty of our forests, leading people to trails and locations they never knew existed. We want to share this particular hike for many reasons, it’s sheer beauty and accessibility for hikers of all levels makes it an obvious choice, but with it we also hope to pay tribute to an amazing man who brought so much to the outdoor community.

Getting There

From Seattle drive east on I-90 to exit 45 (Forest Road 9030). Drive north, then stay left on FR 9030. About 1 mile from the freeway, you’ll encounter a fork. Stay left again, now on Mason Lake Road (FR 9031). At about 3.9 miles from the freeway, park where the road is blocked—the road continues on the other side, but only for foot traffic.

On the Trail

Start walking on this old roadbed-turned trail for about 2 miles, eventually the new trail leads upward into the forest. About 2.25 miles out stay left at the trail junction near the Alpine Lakes Wilderness boundary. You will crest the ridge 0.5 miles from the fork, and start a short, but steep descent to Mason Lake. Mason Lake is a deep pool, home to some fine—though hard to hook—trout. Enjoy a dip in the cool waters, if you don’t want to try your angling skills, then relax under the shady forest fringe and reflect on the man who helped save these mountains for hikers.

For the more adventurous hikers wishing to extend their hike and tackle some steep terrain, continue past Mason Lake up the trail to Mount Defiance (extending your round trip total to 11 miles):

Backtrack on Mason Lake trail to the Ira Spring Trail, heading to the left up the mountain away from the lake. This left-hand path climbs for 2 miles, running through steep forest and open slopes to an elevation of 5240 feet. You’ll find yourself in a broad meadow packed with wildflowers and views. Those with no desire or skill to scramble can enjoy this wonderful wilderness garden, but those looking for a little more can push on even further.

A rough path runs steeply up the ridge to the summit of Mount Defiance at 5584 feet. From here, the views are as good as you’ll find anywhere. Due north look for the snow-capped cone of Mount Baker and to its right and a little closer in, Glacier Peak. Turn and face west to see the South Fork Snoqualmie Valley running down into the Puget Sound lowlands and, beyond, the sawtooth ridges of the Olympic Mountains. Face south and enjoy the massive mountain that is Rainier and behind it, Mount Adams. To the west of these you might see the abbreviated summit of Mount St. Helens, and in the gap between Adams and St. Helens, look for the faint outline of Mount Hood (count yourself lucky if you see it). Finally, look east and take in the long ridge to Bandera and Pratt Mountains.

Excerpted from Day Hiking: Snowqualmie Region, Mountaineers Books ©2007.