Mason Lake: A Paddleboard, a Mountain, and One Hell of a Climb

I recently tackled one of the toughest and most rewarding adventures I’ve ever done: hiking 3.5 miles up to Mason Lake with over 2,000 feet of elevation gain… while carrying an inflatable paddleboard, paddle, and pump.

I'm so glad my friends Judi and Angelica came along. I needed a support crew! They kept checking in with me: “Are you sure you want to do this?” I wasn't totally sure. I was carrying over 35 pounds in a bag that was not made for hiking. It didn’t sit right on my back and threw off my balance. Someone needs to come up with a better design! It felt like I was rucking — something I’d only seen on my WHOOP app. Now I know exactly what it means. I admit that I thought about leaving the board on the side of the trail. “No one’s going to take that thing!” Angelica said. But I was determined, and I kept going.

The climb was brutal. I had to stop several times just to breathe. There were times I couldn’t believe what I signed up for. But once we reached the lake, everything changed.  The view from the trail was incredible. The tree line and boulders were stunning. And not to mention the lake.

The water was crystal clear, with deep drop-offs and giant rocks below the surface. I wanted to jump in immediately, but first I had to inflate the board. I started pumping, exhausted, and Judi stepped in, laughing, “Let me do that — Jesus!” As we were pumping up the board, a couple of hikers passed by and said, “Now that's the way to do it!” I smiled to myself, thinking, “Yes it is.”

Finally, I jumped in the cold water, rinsed off the sweat, and climbed onto my board. A fish swam by, and I just stood there in awe. I actually cried; it was that beautiful. Paddling across that small alpine lake felt surreal. The green-blue water reminded me of tide pools in Hawaii — like a hidden tropical oasis in the mountains.

I only wish I had my camping gear. Staying the night up there would’ve been magical. But this trip was proof: sometimes, the hardest challenges lead to the most unforgettable experiences.