Ingalls Way / Lake Ingalls

It was the annual trek to see the larches and we were not disappointed although the day turned out to be much more than just larches. The plan (and result) was a loop trip up to Ingalls Pass; over to Ingalls Lake; up to the notch between N. and S. Ingalls; down the west side to Lake Ann; up and over Fortune Pass and back to the car. At first I did not think this loop would be possible due to snow issues and perhaps it should not have happened. We encountered every combination and permutation of the following trail/scramble conditions: water, slush, snow, ice, dirt, scree, talus, boulders, and heather meadows. Let's say there was some excitement on the snow/ice/scree/talus/boulder situations.

The trail to Ingalls Lake is in good shape and there was the treat of Mt Stuart and the larches as we crested Ingalls Pass. I always love walking through Headlight Basin with a fresh coat of snow and golden yellow larches. The rock slabs above Ingalls Lake were dry enough for a nice and easy scramble. When the slabs end, the snow and talus were somewhat unpredictable but OK. Below the pass between N. and S. Ingalls, there is a slippery and probably permanent snow field that we scooted by in deep snow. From there to the pass, the mix of snow and scree was just the right consistency to kick firm steps. We had some route finding issues descending the west side of the Ingalls peaks plus frozen scree, loose scree, frozen talus, loose talus, frozen boulders, loose boulders - well you get the picture. It took us a very long time to descend this section but we were rewarded with the nice meadows and Lake Ann. The larches at Lake Ann are still peaking but many were just right.

At this point I was not looking forward to climbing up to Fortune Pass there was no other option. That part of the trail was somewhat icy but OK. Then there was the long descent back to the trailhead.