Originally Posted: November 2012
Updated: November 2026
Mt. Defiance Day Hike via Exit 42
Mt. Defiance Day Hike via Exit 45
Lower Mason Creek
Mason Lake
Mason Pass
Mount Defiance (5584 ft)
Route Summary
Region: Central Washington Cascades
Sub-Region: Lower Snoqualmie Range
Area: Alpine Lakes Wilderness
Option A: Exit 45 Approach
Starting & Ending Point: Ira Spring Trailhead at end of Mason Lake Road #9031 (Elev. 2150 feet)
Way Points: Mason Creek Bridge & Alpine Lakes Wilderness boundary & Bandera Junction & bouldery rib & Mason Lake & Mason Pass & Defiance Junction & Mt. Defiance summit (trail hike)
Approximate Stats for Mason Lake (round trip): 6.6 miles traveled; 2350 feet gained & lost.
Approximate Stats for Mt. Defiance (round trip): 9.8 miles traveled; 3750 feet gained & lost.
Summit: Mt. Defiance (trail hike via Southwest Ridge)
Option B: Exit 42 Approach
Starting & Ending Point: Mason Creek Trailhead at end of short spur road off Interstate-90 at Exit 42 (Elev. 1500 feet)
Way Points: Lower Mason Creek crossing & Mason Creek Road junction & Ira Spring Trailhead & Mason Creek Bridge & Alpine Lakes Wilderness boundary & Bandera Junction & bouldery rib & Mason Lake & Mason Pass & Defiance Junction & Mt. Defiance summit (trail hike & road walk)
Approximate Stats for Mason Lake (round trip): 8.0 miles traveled; 3000 feet gained & lost.
Approximate Stats for Mt. Defiance (round trip): 11.2 miles traveled; 4400 feet gained & lost.
Summit: Mt. Defiance (trail hike via Southwest Ridge)
Route Overview
Among the various day-hiking destinations in the Interstate-90 corridor, Mt. Defiance is an often-overlooked gem. Its summit can be most-easily accessed by a trail that passes next to beautiful Mason Lake—an excellent swimming spot on a hot summer day. The 5584-foot summit offers views of other peaks and a handful of lakes in the Lower Snoqualmie Range.
There are two typical approach routes to reach the summit of Mt. Defiance, as described below.
- Exit 45 Approach (Option A): The shortest and most common route starts at the Ira Spring Trailhead, which is easily accessed from Exit 45 on Interstate-90. Drive westward on Talapus Lake Road #9030 and then Mason Creek Road #9031 for a total of 3.7 miles to reach the moderately large parking lot. Be aware that this parking lot fills up quickly on weekends, and it requires a Northwest Forest Pass or equivalent.
- Exit 42 Approach (Option B): A slightly longer route starts at the Mason Creek Trailhead, which is located at the end of a short spur road that extends approximately 150 yards northward from the Exit 42 interchange on Interstate-90. There is limited parking along both sides of this spur road, but no pass is required. This starting point is recommended for people who want some additional exercise or who can appreciate an unpopulated hike through a charming forest.
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Full Route Description
The first text section below describes the approach route from the Mason Creek Trailhead near Exit 42 to the Ira Spring Trailhead. If you are starting at the higher Ira Spring Trailhead, skip directly to the second section.
Mason Creek Trailhead to Ira Spring Trailhead
From the end of the paved spur road at Exit 42, walk 100 yards up the wide dirt road that makes a sweeping curve to the left (west). Just before coming to a small ravine, look for a tree bearing the word “TRAIL” in red paint. Turn right here and follow a rough trail into the woods for about 30 yards, then cross the main branch of Lower Mason Creek on a large, root-covered log. Quickly cross two minor tributaries on footlogs, then turn right and keep hiking uphill.
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Despite being an unsanctioned “volunteer trail,” it is surprisingly well-maintained, as evidenced by the dozens of cut logs. The trail climbs in a northward direction, always staying within earshot of the creek as it wanders through pleasant second-growth forest decorated with moss and ferns.
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After gaining about 600 vertical feet, you will intersect a wide dirt road (Mason Creek Road). Take note of the fact that this junction is located adjacent to a pile of boulders and across from a “No Parking” sign; these will be useful landmarks on your return hike later. Turn left and walk the road westward for approximately ¼ mile until it ends in the Ira Spring Trailhead parking lot (0.7 miles + 650 feet from Mason Creek Trailhead).
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Ira Spring Trailhead to Mason Lake
From the trailhead kiosk at the western end of the parking lot, hike westerly on the well-marked Ira Spring Trail, which initially follows an abandoned logging road. After approximately 300 yards, the gently inclined road-trail curves back to the right and makes a long easterly traverse across the forested hillslope. Very soon, you will cross the Mason Creek Bridge.
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As you keep traversing, you will enter the Alpine Lakes Wilderness and then reach a point where the trail veers to the left on a noticeably steeper abandoned logging road. This steeper road-trail soon transitions to a newer single-track trail that climbs the hillside in a series of traverses and switchbacks. The forest eventually opens onto a large talus slope below Bandera Mountain, and the trail keeps climbing.
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At the highest switchback, you will go past Bandera Junction and then traverse over to a bouldery rib. Mt. Defiance and its junior summit, Putrid Pete’s Peak, can be seen high above.
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After crossing over the bouldery rib, the trail drops 150 feet and then angles up to Mason Lake (3.3 miles + 2200 feet from Ira Spring Trailhead; 4.0 miles + 2850 feet from Mason Creek Trailhead). This has always been my favorite day-hike lake in the Interstate-90 corridor, and perhaps you will see why.
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Mason Lake to Mt. Defiance
From the outlet of Mason Lake, skirt around the left shore and wend your way around big boulders, following small “Main Trail” signs to assist with navigation. After a short hike, you will arrive at Mason Pass and a “T” intersection with the Mt. Defiance Trail. The right-hand branch leads to Rainbow Lake and Island Lake, both of which provide a nice sidetrip. The left-hand branch leads to Mt. Defiance and better views.
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Turn left at Mason Pass and begin a northwesterly hike up a ridge that separates Mason Lake from Lake Kulla Kulla. After a steady gain, the trail turns to the west and cuts across the wonderfully open hillslope of Mt. Defiance, with views out to the south. At the far edge of this open hillslope, you will come to Defiance Junction, which is unmarked but very obvious.
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Turn right at the junction and hike uphill for 400 vertical feet on a steep, rocky, boot-beaten trail to reach the summit of Mt. Defiance (4.9 miles + 3550 feet from Ira Spring Trailhead; 5.6 miles + 4200 feet from Lower Mason Creek Trailhead). Nearby summits include Mailbox Peak and Revolution Peak to the west, Bandera Mountain and Granite Mountain to the east, and the impressive horn of McClellan Butte to the south. On a clear day, you can see many summits in the rugged Snoqualmie Range—all dominated by the striking fang of Kaleetan Peak.
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