Lake Ann, Jack Creek, Fortune Creek-Van Epps, Longs Pass
Oct 05, 2009
by
Eric Jain
—
last modified
Oct 08, 2009 01:09 AM
- Type of Outing
- Overnight
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: Lake Ann
- Region: Snoqualmie Pass -- Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
- Avg Rating: 3.00
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: Jack Creek
- Region: Central Cascades
- Trails: Jack Creek (#1558)
- Avg Rating: 4.25
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: Fortune Creek-Van Epps
- Region: Snoqualmie Pass -- Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
- Trails: Fortune Creek-Van Epps (#1594)
- Avg Rating: 1.50
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: Longs Pass
- Region: Snoqualmie Pass -- Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
- Agency: Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests, Cle Elum Ranger District
- Trails: Longs Pass (#1229)
- Avg Rating: 3.60
- Be Aware Of
- Blowdowns
- Overgrown
- Water on trail
- Snow on trail
View from the ridge above Lake Ann
Set out intending to do the "Lake Ann - Ingalls Peak Loop" described in the Falcon guide "Backpacking Washington's Alpine Lakes Wilderness". Got off to a late start, so I camped just a few miles in, on the ridge above lake Ann. Found a great, wind-protected spot with amazing views.
Headed down towards Jack Creek the next morning. Lost the trail briefly after descending from Van Epps Pass. The trail is supposed to take a sharp right turn, but neither the guide book nor my 1:100,000 "Alpine Lakes Wilderness Society" map were much help among the criss-cross of 4WD tracks in that area. The trail between that area and Jack Creek was somewhat overgrown and had a few muddy sections.
After crossing Jack Creek (not a big deal, thanks to low water levels) I headed up to Stuart Pass. The trail passed through what appeared to be the bottom end of a recent forest fire. Further up, the trail had a light dusting of snow (with a lot of animal tracks, and no human footprints), but was still clear enough to follow.
Upon reaching the pass, I was unable to locate the trail leading to Ingalls Lake: All I found was a faint trail just below the ridge, with only goat tracks, and which I stopped following when it appeared to be getting too scrambly. So instead I went down the valley a bit and then over Fortune Pass.
The Fortune Pass trail was easy to find (i.e. there is a sign). Ingalls Creek barely had any water, and was therefore easy to cross. Lots of blowdowns in the lower half of this trail. The trail was a bit faint at times, but nevertheless easy to follow as (after some initial meandering) it went straight up. The very top part was almost a scramble.
Arrived back at the trailhead while it was still daylight (and before someone sent SAR looking for me)... Didn't meet a single person on the trail (though my car wasn't the only one in the parking lot).
Headed down towards Jack Creek the next morning. Lost the trail briefly after descending from Van Epps Pass. The trail is supposed to take a sharp right turn, but neither the guide book nor my 1:100,000 "Alpine Lakes Wilderness Society" map were much help among the criss-cross of 4WD tracks in that area. The trail between that area and Jack Creek was somewhat overgrown and had a few muddy sections.
After crossing Jack Creek (not a big deal, thanks to low water levels) I headed up to Stuart Pass. The trail passed through what appeared to be the bottom end of a recent forest fire. Further up, the trail had a light dusting of snow (with a lot of animal tracks, and no human footprints), but was still clear enough to follow.
Upon reaching the pass, I was unable to locate the trail leading to Ingalls Lake: All I found was a faint trail just below the ridge, with only goat tracks, and which I stopped following when it appeared to be getting too scrambly. So instead I went down the valley a bit and then over Fortune Pass.
The Fortune Pass trail was easy to find (i.e. there is a sign). Ingalls Creek barely had any water, and was therefore easy to cross. Lots of blowdowns in the lower half of this trail. The trail was a bit faint at times, but nevertheless easy to follow as (after some initial meandering) it went straight up. The very top part was almost a scramble.
Arrived back at the trailhead while it was still daylight (and before someone sent SAR looking for me)... Didn't meet a single person on the trail (though my car wasn't the only one in the parking lot).
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Lake Ann
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Burned Trees along Jack Creek
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Basin below Ingalls Lake
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