Lake Ingalls
Sep 21, 2009
by
steve_podleski
—
last modified
Sep 22, 2009 12:15 PM
- Type of Outing
- Day hike
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: Lake Ingalls
- Region: Snoqualmie Pass -- Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
- Agency: Cle Elum Ranger District (509) 852-1100
- Trails: Ingalls Way (#1390)
- Avg Rating: 3.98
Monday was a perfect day on the east side of the Cascades for a hike to Lake Ingalls near Mt Stuart. It takes about 60 mins from the I90 Cle Elum Exit 85 to the trailhead including the 9mi of pot-holed dirt road. The trailhead is very large and has a outhouse. Esmeralda Peak is nearby and will be with you all the way to Ingalls Pass. The trail is very good up to the Pass and once you are near the Pass you can have a fine view of Mount Rainier and a far view of Mt Adams on a clear day on the west side and to the east you have a fantastic view of Mt Stuart but Lake Ingalls will remain hidden until the very end of the trail. The trees are sparse compared to trails on the west side of the Cascade. The trail on the other side of the Pass is visible for most of the hike except for the more rocky portion where cairns help to mark the way; take your time to locate the cairns and you will lose less time trying to find the trail. There a very few flowers at this time of year but marmot whistles will accompany you on much of the trail from the Pass and if you are lucky, you will see one sunning on top of a rock or you may see pica scurrying among the rocks. The view at Lake Ingalls is stark: the bluish water surrounded by stone walls, Ingalls Peak and at east end: Mt Stuart dominates. It took me about 3.5 hrs for about 4.5 miles from the trailhead to the lake. Very few bugs.
|
|
Sunning marmot
|
|
Document Actions
- Email this page
- Print this
- Share
Forgot your
New user?
