Mason Lake is a naturally occurring mountain lake

Lake

A lake is a body of relatively still fresh or salt water of considerable size, localized in a basin, that is surrounded by land. Lakes are inland and not part of the ocean and therefore are distinct from lagoons, and are larger and deeper than ponds. Lakes can be contrasted with rivers or streams,...

 located between Mount Defiance and Bandera Mountain

Bandera Mountain

Bandera Mountain is a mountain located near Snoqualmie Pass, Washington in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. It is accessible by the Mason Lake Trail , which is located off I-90 at Exit 45 on FS Road 9031....

 near Snoqualmie Pass

Snoqualmie Pass

Snoqualmie Pass is a mountain pass that carries Interstate 90 through the Cascade Range in the U.S. State of Washington. The elevation of the pass summit is , and is on the county line between Kittitas County and King County...

, King County

King County, Washington

King County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. The population in the 2010 census was 1,931,249. King is the most populous county in Washington, and the 14th most populous in the United States....

, Washington. Accessible only by hike via the 3.4 mile-long Mason Lake Trail (also known as "Ira Spring Memorial Trail"), Mason Lake

Mason lake

Mason Lake is a natural elongated lake south of Belfair, Washington, USA in Mason County. Named for Charles H. Mason, the first secretary of Washington Territory, the lake is on the isthmus of the Kitsap Peninsula between the Hood Canal and Pickering Passage of the Case Inlet...

 is at an elevation of 4,200 feet

Directions to Mason Lake Trail

Coming East on I-90, take Exit 45 (USFS Road 9030) and turn left off the exit onto FS Road 9031. This road is not paved, but is in good enough condition to support sedans and small cars. After about 1 mile of uphill switchbacks with great views of the surrounding mountains, the road splits; take the left fork (the right one, which is also steeper, ends at a rock quarry). After another 2 miles of uphill driving, the road opens up into a parking lot for the Mason Lake Trail (Ira Springs Memorial Trail) and Bandera Mountain

Bandera Mountain

Bandera Mountain is a mountain located near Snoqualmie Pass, Washington in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. It is accessible by the Mason Lake Trail , which is located off I-90 at Exit 45 on FS Road 9031....

Trail. Note: hiking/parking passes required.