Sometimes you just want to get high--physically, not psychedeli-cally--and the Lake Ingalls Trail lets you do that while still exploring some of the grandest wildflower displays in the Cascades. You'll climb, descend, and climb again, crossing through no less than three distinct ecosystem types, each with its own species of wildflowers to entice and enchant you.
As with the Longs Pass Trail you'll start out on the old miners road leading up the Teanaway Valley. Within the first 0.25 mile the wide roadbed fades to a true trail. It also splits, the path to the left heading to Esmeralda Basin and Fortune Creek Pass.
Go right to start your climb out of the Teanaway Valley. You'll be hiking through the first flora stratum you'll encounter on this hike, with huckleberry bushes, a few lilies, and other lesser known flowers, such as pipsissewa and wintergreens.
At 2 miles go left at another trail junction (right leads to Longs Pass). The trail angles upward, climbing steadily and at times steeply. As you near Ingalls Pass the trail meanders through a rock-strewn meadowland. Along the long, slow climb to the pass you'll enter a drier ecosystem full of alpine firs. Bitterroot, white paintbrush, penstemon, and spreading stonecrop (a pretty little succulent plant) grow in profusion.
The final 0.3 mile switchbacks up to Ingalls Pass, about 3 miles from the trailhead. Here you'll enjoy spectacular views of Ingalls Peak across the Ingalls Creek valley in front of you, and Esmeralda Peaks across the Teanaway River valley behind you.
The trail now descends briefly before contouring around the upper flank of Headlight Basin. As you crest the pass and descend into the rocky basin, you'll enter rich heather meadows filled with bistort, paintbrush, and--in one spring-fed ravine--a 10-acre spread of shooting stars. This lush valley sports many fine campsites alongside small tarns and creeks in the open heather and flower fields. Of course, an abundance of rich foliage and plenty of water means birds and animals frequent this basin. Move silently and watch carefully for the best chances to see deer, mountain goats, marmots, coyotes, and countless bird species.
After gawking, pop your eyes back into your head and push on--the next mile swings around the upper edge of the basin, crossing a few creeks and weaving around some nice ponds. As you leave the flowers you'll traverse a broad granite slope and climb up and over a tangle of granite slabs and boulders before dropping to rock-rimmed Lake Ingalls. Views are hard to come by here--rock hard, that is.
Swing out to the left as you reach the lake and drop down to rest on the long rock slabs that taper down into the water. From here, look across the mirror-finish lake to the magnificent face of mighty Mount Stuart to the north, while the craggy top of Ingalls Peak towers directly over the lake on the west.
There were probably 100 or
more cars at the Esmeralda Basin/Ingalls Lake Trailhead. We turned right on the Longs Pass...
There were probably 100 or more cars at the Esmeralda Basin/Ingalls Lake Trailhead. We turned right on the Longs Pass trail and didnt see a soul until we traversed around the corner to Ingalls Lake proper. There were a bunch of folks high up on Ingalls peak, and a bunch of helicopter people were doing some sort of rescue operation or practice over by Cascade and Ulrichs Couloir on Stuart. At one point the people (vicitms') on the ground were shooting off smoke canisters to get the helicopters into the right area. All in all it was an unwelcome intrusion into what should be a nice quiet valley. If they werent rescuing people and were just flying around for grins, it would be really nice if they would keep their noisy #$%^%es out of the upper Ingalls creek valley. There is still some snow in the camping area south of Ingalls lake. Flowers are out big time, and not many bugs.
[Online Editor's note: Personnel at Wenatchee FS have read thisreport and emailed us to point out that they take the restrictionson the use of helicopters in Wilderness areas seriously. The helicopter seen in the report was in fact involved in rescuingan injured climber. The climber was unconscious with a broken femuramong other injuries making a helicopter evacuation the onlyoption.]
This is a great early
season hike. As usual the weather was outstanding in the Teanaway watershed. Nice...
This is a great early season hike. As usual the weather was outstanding in the Teanaway watershed. Nice flowers are emerging as the snow melts away. The trail is almost snow free until 1/4 mile from Ingalls pass. At this point the trail is 50% covered with soft snow that is 1-3 ft deep. The pass itself is snow free and dry. Beyond the pass, steep deep snow must be traversed. The spectacular view from the pass includes a breathtaking upclose view of Mt Stuart to the north and a nice view of the Esmerelda basin and Mt Rainier to the south. Even better views can be attained by scrambling up the knoll to the west. Dogs are ""officially"" not permitted.
En route to a climb of
Ingalls N. Peak S. Face. The trail was in excellent condition, and the close-up...
En route to a climb of Ingalls N. Peak S. Face. The trail was in excellent condition, and the close-up view of Mt. Stuart with a dusting of fresh snow was a treat! Larch trees were still green but porcini mushrooms were out. We heard a few gunshots from buckhunters in the Ingalls Creek valley in the morning, but they quieted down during the day. Some fresh snow was on the ground on the scramble from the lake to the base of the face (also a few remaining snowfields) and again on the summit. It was disappearing quickly under the warm weather. The climb itself was dry and easy (the one non-rock climber among seven of us had no problem) and superbly scenic, and presented an especially flattering view of Mt. Daniel which we kept on confusing with Glacier Peak.
After a slow start of
food shopping and saturday morning confusion we got to the trailhead at one thirty...
After a slow start of food shopping and saturday morning confusion we got to the trailhead at one thirty and were surprised to find the parking lot overflowing. Beautiful day, clear skies, trail in fine condition, snow free, pretty steady climb all the way, but not too bad with the constant reward of beautiful views. This was our friend Eva's first camping experience and we were hoping it would be a good one. Found a spot to camp in headlight basin just below the lake. Was fairly full with campers, looked like a couple of people had pitched their tents outside of designated areas. Even saw a couple of dogs...hmmmmm. Our neighbors fried up some heavy duty smelling burgers for dinner and the smell permeated the fresh air and our fleece clothing and we talked about bears, but had no visitors overnight. Got cole real quick once the sun had set so we didn't spend too much time starwatching...the tent was much warmer. Hiked up to the lake in the morning. Enjoyed the view of Mt Stuart and watched some fly fishermen's lines arcing back and forth. By the time we hiked down most of the camps had cleared and we only passed a few people with packs hiking in. Pretty steadily down all the way, trail is dry and often bordered with beautiful green-black rocks. Travertine' Eva did great. This would be a beautiful spot for a midweek stay for all those with flexible work schedules. Anyone know when it will start snowing up here' Would love to go back to the area, but don't know how much time I have got before the snow.
Couldn't get away for the
whole weekend so I salvaged Sunday and headed East. Ended up in the Teanaway...
Couldn't get away for the whole weekend so I salvaged Sunday and headed East. Ended up in the Teanaway River area truckin' down Road 9737. Its in pretty good shape by the way. Made the trailhead parking area at the end of the road and hit trail 1390 at 2:10pm. 100 hikes book said hiking time 8 hours for a round trip of 9 miles. Steady pace would have gotten me to Ingalls Lake in just over 2 hours, but the scenery kept begging me to store it for posterity inside my picture machine. I will have to return to this trail with more time on my hands. The scenery is gorgeous and there are a multitude of trails leading to other fascinating destinations. Trail is in great shape and is found by more people than I expected but still not so many to spoil the experience. My pedometer said the round trip was over 10 miles. Made it back to the van before dark but it was hard to leave after so short a stay.
From Seattle drive east on I-90 to East Cle Elum, exit 85. Cross over the freeway overpass and turn right (northbound) on State Route 970. Cross the Teanaway River bridge, and in another mile turn left onto Teanaway Road. Drive north on Teanaway Road, veering right as it becomes first the North Fork Teanaway Road and then unpaved Forest Road 9737 at 29 Pines Campground. Continue to the road's end.
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