Ira Spring & Putrid Pete's Peak Trails

getting there

Ira Spring Trailhead

Take Exit 45 off of I-90 and turn north onto Forest Road 9030. In 0.8 mile at the junction with Forest Road 9031, go straight onto Forest Road 9031. Continue 2.9 miles to the Ira Spring Trailhead (2,200 ft).

Putrid Pete's Peak Trailhead

Take Exit 42 (Tinkham Road) off of I-9, head north, and park on the north side of the freeway where the trail starts (1,600 ft).

on the trail

Ira Spring Trail

From the Ira Spring Trailhead, hike 2.7 miles  and 2,000 feet of elevation gain to a junction (4,200 ft). Turn left and continue 0.7 mile to Mason Lake or turn right and continue 0.6 mile to Little Bandera Mountain (5,157 ft).

Putrid Pete's Peak Trail

From the north  side of Exit 42 on I-90 hike an unofficial trail west for 1.3 miles to its junction with Putrid Pete's Peak Trail. Turn left and continue 0.4 mile to the junction with the Dirty Harry's Balcony connector trail. Turn right and continue up Putrid Pete's Peak Trail to Defiance Ridge. Alternatively, hike the Ira Spring Trail to its first switchback and continue straight on Putrid Pete's Peak Trail.

notes

• Extend your trip by continuing on to Island and Rainbow Lakes.
• Thru-hike from the Ira Spring Trailhead to the Granite Creek Trailhead via Thompson Lake with car shuttle or key exchange.  It's 13.6 miles with 4,000 feet of elevation gain including side trip to summit of Mount Defiance (5,584). 
• The Ira Spring Memorial Trail also the start for hiking to Mount Defiance (5,584 ft) and Bandera Mountain (5,241 ft), scrambling Putrid Pete's Peak and Web Mountain, and the early season snow scramble to Mount Defiance & Bandera Mountain.
• Consider a thru hike. Hiking from Mason Lake to Talapus Lake is 2,200 feet elevation gain and 1,600 feet elevation loss.
• Past Mason Lake the route becomes rougher and less well maintained. There are several short sections that are 20-40 feet  that are quite steep, so the Rainbow/Island Lake  variation is Strenuous difficulty and the Mason Lake only variation is Moderate/Strenuous difficulty.
• From Putrid Pete's Peak Trail, scramble the peaks on Defiance Ridge, Putrid Pete's Peak, Mount Defiance, and Web Mountain.
• Consider making the Ira Spring Trail and Putrid Pete's Peak a loop trip.

Information For leaders

scheduling & Permits

• If you're leaving from the Putrid Pete's Peak Trailhead, please review the Dirty Harry's Peak, Balcony & East Balcony route/place to be sure a trip is not leaving from this trailhead on the same day.
• As of 2017, the Snoqualmie Ranger District considers Mountaineers trips and courses to be "nominal use". Leaders should print and copy this designation letter to show rangers they may see on trail or carry a digital copy on their phone.

• Suitable Activities: Backpacking, Day Hiking, Scrambling
• Seasons: January, February, March, June, July, August, September, October
• Weather: View weather forecast
• View avalanche forecast.

• Difficulty: Moderate/Strenuous
• Length: 6.0 mi
• Elevation Gain: 2,550 ft
• High Point: 4,750 ft

• Land Manager: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
  Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Snoqualmie Ranger District (MBSNF)
• Parking Permit Required: Northwest Forest Pass
• Recommended Party Size: 12
• Maximum Party Size: 30
• Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 30