Bandera Mountain Trail

What: A semistrenuous scenic hike in the I-90 corridor near Snoqualmie Pass, trail No. 1038.

Where: Take I-90 east and take Exit 45 (Forest Service Road No. 9030). At the stop sign turn left, go under the freeway to Road 9030. Drive a half-mile to a road junction and continue three miles on Road 9031 to the trailhead,

Length: 7 miles round trip

Difficulty: Moderate

Beginning elevation: 2,200 feet

Highest elevation: 5,240 feet

Restrictions: Northwest Forest Pass

Maps: Green Trails No. 206 (Bandera)

Notes: Bandera Mountain is in the I-90 corridor surrounded by more popular peaks such as Granite Mountain, McClellan’s Butte and Mount Defiance. The newly developed trail has been named the Ira Spring Memorial Trail, dedicated to the renowned photographer, trail activist and author who died in 2003. The trail starts on an abandoned fire road and travels for 2 miles until the end of the road where the views begin to open up to the surrounding area. After several long switchbacks, a trail junction is reached, and you take a right. From here you can enjoy a much less strenuous jaunt to the summit over a boulder-filled ridgeline. Views from the summit include Mount Adams, Mount Rainier and the Olympic Mountains.

More information: Contact the Snoqualmie Ranger District in North Bend at 425-888-1421 or visit the Washington Trail Association Web site at www.wta.org Scott Harder