Mt. Defiance Hike

Date hike up to Mount Defiance from the Ira Spring Trailhead.
img_2278 Peek-a-boo I see you Mt. Rainier as we make our way up the boring initial part of the hike on overgrown old logging roads.
Peek-a-boo I see you Mt. Rainier as we make our way up the boring initial part of the hike on overgrown old logging roads.
img_2279 Heading up into some large patches of rocks. Thankfully the trail was easy going.
Heading up into some large patches of rocks. Thankfully the trail was easy going.
img_2284 Getting a better view of Rainier the higher we go.
Getting a better view of Rainier the higher we go.
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img_2287 The peak at the center is our goal; a long way to go still.
The peak at the center is our goal; a long way to go still.
img_2288 What remains of an old logging road.
What remains of an old logging road.
img_2289 Rest stop #1 - Mason Lake. It was surprisingly warm. Plenty of campers here enjoying a nice day.
Rest stop #1 - Mason Lake. It was surprisingly warm. Plenty of campers here enjoying a nice day.
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img_2295 Zilly gets some cooling down whether or not he wants it.
Zilly gets some cooling down whether or not he wants it.
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img_2305 Can finally see most of Rainier though some haze has moved in.
Can finally see most of Rainier though some haze has moved in.
img_2306 Selfie time
Selfie time
img_2307 Looking back at Mason Lake tucked in below Bandera's peak.
Looking back at Mason Lake tucked in below Bandera's peak.
img_2308 Making our way across and up the sun-exposed face of Mt. Defiance.
Making our way across and up the sun-exposed face of Mt. Defiance.
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img_2320 I-90 is way down there. Web Mountain is up along the ridge to the right.
I-90 is way down there. Web Mountain is up along the ridge to the right.
img_2321 We're now above Bandera.
We're now above Bandera.