OSAT ACTIVITIES
Bandera Mountain
November 15 2026
This is not a hike for beginners. For the first mile and a half, it is gentle and wide as it follows an old road bed. The trail departs the old road and heads more steeply uphill. Occasional breaks in the trees enable partial views of Rainier to the south. In another mile and a quarter, after a series of looping switchbacks, the trail to Bandera and the trail to Mason Lake part company as the way to Bandera heads straight uphill through a meadow of beargrass and bleached stumps of trees burned in a fire long ago. The next fifth of a mile is steep — in fact, one of the steepest stretches of trail you’ll find, gaining one foot of elevation for every two feet it travels. We will press on to the true summit, it drops steeply over the rocks of Little Bandera’s summit and is barely visible, we have to scramble and hop across some large jagged rocks to get to the top. Definitely good boots and balance required for this part.
| Distance |
8 miles round trip |
Elevation Gain
|
3,400 |
High Point
|
5,240 |
| Average Daily Stats |
Around 7 hours of hiking, moderate pace |
| Meeting Place/Time |
Ira Spring Trailhead
Snoqualmie/Greater North Bend
Meet at 7, Circle up at 7:15, Hiking at 7:30
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What to Bring
|
Ten Essentials, Layers, Micros, Poles Recommended |
Kids (Under 16)
|
No |
Pets Allowed
|
No |
| Passes Required |
Northwest Forest/America The Beautiful |
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Trailhead Directions
Take exit 45 off of I-90 and turn north onto FR 9030. A little over three quarters of a mile from the exit, stay left onto FR 9031. Follow it to its end and the trailhead for the Ira Spring Trail #1038. Road is one-lane gravel and dirt.
Overview Maps
https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/bandera-mountain
Trip Leaders
| Name |
L/W/S/A* |
Mobile Phone |
E-Mail |
| Krystina T |
L |
406.207.2976 |
krystinadt@gmail.com |
| Clarie R |
WFA |
206.931.0800 |
|
| Mat B. |
S |
425.344.0403 |
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|
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*(L)ead; (W)FA; (S)weep; (A)IARE
A Note About "Qualification"
Leader approval is required to order ensure everyone is prepared to safely complete this event. After you register, the trip leader may call, text, or email you to confirm your fitness, experience, and readiness. Guests will also need to meet these requirements.
We do this so that everyone can complete and enjoy the event. We don’t let anyone go back by themselves, so if one person must return mid-trip, all go back. It’s OK if you have limited knowledge about a given activity. We just ask for the willingness to accept the set guidelines.
Possible questions you will be asked: What type of conditioning activities did you participate in recently? When was the last time you performed this type of activity? Do you have any limitations that would prevent you from completing this activity such as injuries or a tight schedule?
Thanks - and have a great event!