The day hike to the top of Bandera Mt is a solid workout, a short drive from Seattle and a quick high counntry fix.Hike stats:
7 miles round trip
2,800 ft elevation gain (1,700 in the 'Deamon Mile')
High point of 5,240
Time: 6ish hours.
Directions from Seattle:
I-90 E to exit 45 (USFS Rd 9030)
N side of 90 take 9030 West .7 miles the rd split.
Follow signs to Mason Lake & Bandera Mt.
Trail head is about 4 miles ahead, but the road is washed out a bit before the official trailhead making the hike just over 8 miles.
This is why you can't drive to the trailhead. The road is full-gone on. The forest road crews have done a great job getting this road in shape, and a couple other roadblocks and washouts have been cleared. This one remains, atleast last I was there.The Route: Past the trial head sign, the trail is quite straight forward and easy to follow. There are a couple of places where water runs over over the trail, but these are easily traversed. You start your hike in the trees, but quick break out and spend much of your ascent plodding up easy switchbacks with ample views. Much like the neighboring trail to Kendal Catwalk .
One point you where you need to pay attention is about 1/2 way up when the trail splits between Bandera Mt and Mason Lake. A handy way to remember is at this junction the Bandera Mt trail heads striaht up, while Mason Lake trail does not.
Just after this junction is the start of the Deamon Mile. A grueling trudge through a trench cut through wildflowers that will catapult you 1,700 vertical ft. That is grade of over 32%. Bring your A game for this part.
After the Deamon Mile the views get both great and varied and the terrain gets fun. From here
Mason Lake is in view, most of the surrounding mountains are below you and you get scramble on some cool rocks.
Mason Lake is in view, most of the surrounding mountains are below you and you get scramble on some cool rocks. To attain the summit head east up the ridge and through an open forest. Officially the trial hits a first summit here, and dips down to climb to a second, but I couldn't find any evidence of a trail after the first bump so I stopped for lunch.
Great hike, close to Seattle and offers varied terrain. Solid way to spend a day in the hills if you have plans later that day, so can't venture very far away.
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