Mountain in Cascades renamed for wilderness photographer Ira Spring

Ira Spring now has his own mountain.

The State Board on Geographic Names has approved renaming a mountain near Darrington in Snohomish County after the man long recognized as a premier wilderness photographer and author of numerous Northwest hiking guides. Spring died in Edmonds in 2003 at age 84.

"Mr. Spring was a tireless advocate for the protection of Washington's wilderness areas," said the board in approving the name change. "The proponents wished to honor Mr. Spring's vast and unmatched knowledge of the trails in the North Cascades by naming this geographical feature after him."

The name change was initiated by three longtime friends and hiking companions of Spring's, who wanted to honor the dean of Northwest trails.

"It is estimated that perhaps a million books featuring his detailed trail descriptions, his photos and his sketch maps have been published. Ira was a tireless advocate for the protection of wilderness areas," said the men who submitted the nomination.

Ira Spring Mountain replaces the peak's old name, Spring Mountain, so named, apparently, for all the springs in the area.

Four years ago, the National Forest Service named a trail after Spring, saying it was "to recognize his passion for wilderness and conservation, and to honor his commitment to trails." The Ira Spring Trail goes to Mason Lake, east of North Bend along the Interstate 90 corridor. A plaque was erected on the trail in Spring's honor.

John Pollock, one of the three who pushed for the name change, said he got the idea one day while walking around Green Lake. Pollock worked for the Seattle Mountaineers, which published Spring's books.

"We heard there was a trail named after him, and we decided he deserves to have a mountain named after him," said Pollock. He said he specifically suggested renaming Spring Mountain because in all his research he couldn't find any historical significance attached to the name. "You add three letters, and you have a lasting memorial to a tremendous guy," he said.

The 5,700-foot mountain is in a remote wilderness and can't be seen from any road. There is no trail to the top.

Spring was co-founder of the Washington Trails Association, a nonprofit that works to preserve and promote hiking opportunities in the state.

"He has done more for trails and for the outdoors than most people realize," said Elizabeth Lunney, executive director of the trails association. "He was never in it for the recognition; he didn't seek out the limelight. It's great it's being shed on him now.

"He's my big boss. I still think I work with him and have conversations with him. He was a rare prophet, a visionary person in this movement."

The seven-member naming board is authorized by state law to establish the official names for the lakes, mountains, streams, towns and other geographic features in Washington. It names, or renames, about 10 places a year, said Caleb Maki, with the board.

Since Oct. 17, Ira Spring Mountain has been the official name of the peak — in Washington state. The name change has been sent to the U.S. Board of Geographic Names, and if it's approved at the national level, all references to the mountain will subsequently be Ira Spring Mountain.

Spring hiked and cataloged hundreds of miles of hiking trails, climbed Mount Rainier a dozen times and shared his experiences through photographs in dozens of hiking guides.

His ultimate hope, he said, was that guiding people to the beauty of the Northwest's wilds would encourage their preservation.

John Spring, Ira's son, said he was pleased that a mountain would be named for his father, even though access is difficult.

"The three individuals who put the initiative together, for them wanting to see a mountain memorialized with my father's name, I find that a real honor," he said.

Before his death, Spring created the Spring Family Trail Fund, which helps fund hiking-trail maintenance. The royalties from his published works go into this trust, said Lace Thornberg, who is with the Washington Trails Association.

"This is a great reminder to hikers that mountain trails just don't happen on their own. You have to be stewards of them," she said. "Ira loved mountains purely and enthusiastically, and you couldn't help falling in love of mountains with him."

Susan Gilmore: 206-464-2054 or sgilmore@seattletimes.com