The weather window was not to be missed.
Sir-Hikes-a-Lot and I decided to stay local when we saw on the webcams that Newhalem and Diablo were getting snow. Mount Defiance (5,584') was a great choice and we went up via the Mason Creek trail (old route). Snow was fine up the creek trail and only 6-12" around the lake, starting to get deep above 4,200' (past the trail junction). Knee/thigh deep for the final vertical 200-300' to the summit.
We were treated to a calm and perfect summit...
Took the new trail back from the lake which is very well packed down, though not icy as of today.
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| Old Mason Creek Trail |
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| Defiance on the way to Mason Lake |
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| Mason Lake outlet crossing |
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| 15F, elevation was actually about 4,250' |
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| Kaleetan and Chair from the SE ridge of Defiance |
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| Rainier and a faraway Adams |
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| Sir-Hikes-a-Lot doing the tough stuff |
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| I just got to lollygag and enjoy the views |
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| Final section to the summit; SHaL rocks the runners |
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| Obligatory Big Mountain shot... |
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| SHaL enjoying the summit |
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| Kaleetan, Chair and Chikamin-Lema area beyond |
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| Ever-recognizable Mt. Stuart |
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| Full east (right) to west pano; Glacier and Baker both visible |
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| Bellevue, Seattle, the sound and the Olympics |
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| Descending around 5,300' with Mason Lake and Little Bandera |
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| The new trail, heading down |
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