Lake Ingalls, South Ingalls Peak — Wednesday, Jun. 7, 2017

Took a quick overnight trip up to Headlight Basin with the intent on an early morning summit of South Ingalls Peak.  Got to the trailhead around 4:30, road is in great shape.  Snow starts about a half mile up the trail, at which point you basically lose the trail and travel more or less directly up hill to the Longs Pass cutoff.  From there, head up towards Ingalls Pass, you'll pick up the trial here and there but it's still snow covered. Snow was very sun cupped and soft in the afternoon which made for kind of a slog. If you don't know the way to the top in summer conditions than bring a map and GPS because there will be no trail to follow (unless you follow boot-pack) for the last mile or more. I made it up into Headlight Basin and when I got in there, there was exactly one spot that had melted out to the point I could set up tent on dirt. There may be more now but the snow was still 1-4feet deep in there.  Weather was perfect, I woke at 430am and started climbing directly up the SE face of Ingalls Peak. Took me just about an hour to get up there at a fairly leisurely  pace. Snow was perfect at 5am, firm but not too icy. You'd need spikes or crampons if you climb in the morning. Judging by how soft it was in the afternoon you'd probably be able to kick-step up without traction late in the day. It was a fun little hike and climb, will be back to string together South and North peaks soon.