Mason Lake to Talapus Lake 2013-07-03

Park on the north side of Exit 42 then hike past the no shooting sign.  The old road splits, go to the left and just before the creek, look for a boot path on the right that follows the creek up the hill.  Cross the road and continue to follow the creek up the hill.  When you are close to the Mason Lake trail you will need to bear to the left and bushwhack the last little bit to the trail.  Continue up the trail and across the creek.  A hundred yards or so from the creek, is a boot path on the left.  This is the start of the old trail.  

This was going to be an up and back hike, but at our turn around point we met Pico and company.  They came up from the Talapus Lake trail head and offered to give us a ride back to our car.  Four people, packs and three dogs in a Forester, it was fun, especially when Sly thought he should let Pico know who's the alpha dog.

Sly kicking up a rooster tail on his way to get a stick in the first little lake after leaving Mason Lake.  Blue prefers to just watch if the water is deeper than his legs are long. 

A view of Mt Defiance 

Blue at Rainbow Lake

Nothing more fun than chasing sticks in the water

Pico and company at the Olallie overlook