Hike to Bandera's top provides many rewards

It’s always been my thought that a difficult day hike can make fair penance for a week’s worth of gluttony.

Add a gorgeous destination, let’s say to the highest peak of Bandera Mountain, and the reward doubles.

When a friend first recommended Bandera, it sounded like a good replacement for the lackluster Mt. Si hike, which gets more merit for accessibility than beauty.

On paper, they’re each about 7-8 miles long, 3,000 feet high, and manageable for most hikers and older children.

But where Mt. Si lacks, Bandera dominates.

An abundant grassy hillside at the top is so abundantly filled with wildflowers it competes with Mt. Rainier, which is also visible from the top.

For those looking for less of a challenge, a turn at the lovely hillside leads away from the steepest part of the trail to a deep blue lake with fine trout.

Last week, I was doing penance for pizza and thai food, and forged on to the top.

The hike begins on the Ira Springs trail along I-90.

Chest-high ferns line the first mile of the wide gravel trail, which steadily rises up the mountainside.

Enjoy the stream that runs through the metal culvert a mile in, it’s the only running water on this hike.

After two miles, the trail grows steep. Breaks in the tree line, which provide views of Mt. Kent and McClellan Butte, regularly reward you for the sweat.

Unlike Mt. Si, there were few switchbacks, which gave me the feeling I might start to circle the mountain. However, it also provides a greater feeling of isolation.

Eventually the trail curves along a large field of black granite boulders, which pop against the green fields.

A sign points right to Bandera and left to Mason Lake. If you’ve had enough work, follow the trail for a half mile to the lake. For those more interested in mountain views, head right up the hillside.

For semi-in-shape hikers like me, I might recommend a good rest, even a sugary snack, before starting this next part of the trail.

Not quite a scramble, not quite a trail, the quarter mile that follows was probably best described by one hiker as “crazy.”

With purple, white, red and orange flowers filling the hillside, it’s also the most gorgeous part of the trail. It called me up like a Siren’s song, but perhaps with more cursing.

Many call the top of the flowery hillside “Little Bandera.” It affords fine views, but few good places for rest.

Follow the ever narrowing trail through a patch of woods. The tall trees and muddy soil are almost an insult, as if you’ve hardly left the trailhead, but the prize ahead is worth the work.

The scramble that follows is easy to navigate, and comes with a view of Mason Lake from hundreds of feet up. Mountains untouched by highways or houses beckon beyond.

It would be a mistake not to find the end of the trail, which looks down on lush green hillsides speckled with granite stones, and down some 4,000 feet below where I-90 twists through the valley.

I like to stand, toes touching the ledge, and watch clouds come up and over the mountain.

From the West take I-90 to exit number 45, and turn left onto Forest Service Road 9030. Just after the road turns gravel, take a left at the fork onto Road 9031. The narrow road winds through the forest, and has a couple deep potholes.

It’s a national forest, so parking passes are required. They’re $5 for the day and can be purchased at Big 5 and REI. The Northwest Forest Pass and National Parks Pass are also good for this trailhead.