Braved the rain and hiked Ingalls Creek trail - my first time on this popular trail. We went about 5 miles up the trail, for a 10-mile round-trip hike. The creek is running high and roaring with spring snowmelt. Wildflowers are out! The trail is mostly in good shape; some parts need brushing.

A friend and I chose Ingalls Creek for a first-of-the-season overnight. 

We arrived at the trailhead in the early afternoon, and easily found a parking spot. The drive to the trailhead is almost entirely paved, fine for any car. 

We set off, hoping to find a campsite around 5 miles from the trailhead. Almost immediately, we saw wildflowers in bloom including balsamroot, lupine, and paintbrush. The trail parallels the river, but undulates a bit so you're not always right next to the shore. Sometimes, there are peakaboo views of distant, still snowy peaks. The farther you hike, the more forested it gets and the fewer wildflowers you will see.

Campsites on this trail are abundant. We stopped counting but saw smaller campsites at miles 1.6 and 1.7 and larger campsites at miles 2.3, and 4.2. At least one of these camps was occupied, but if I recall correctly the others were all empty.

We ended up at a site around mile 5.7, right where the map shows a turnoff to the Falls Creek trail. There is no bridge over Ingalls Creek to the Falls Creek trail and, at least in May, the river is impassible (flowing fast and high). Where we camped, there was room for 2-3 separate parties to setup camp.

We had a pleasant night and morning, and then headed back to the trailhead. This trail was a great, low key start to the backpacking season!

Also, a reminder: this is tick country, so make sure your first aid kit includes a pair of tweezers, just in case!

3 Nights down Ingalls Creek Trail in an attempt to get as far in as I could.  My pack-carrying trail dog, Mr. Max, and I had a great tip!

Lots of spring flowers on show.  Balsam Root (sunflowers), Indian Paint Brush, and Trillium were stars of the weekend.

The view of the rear-side of some of the enchantments peaks are fabulous! Witch's Tower, Fantasia Tower, Little Annapurna, and Mt. Stuart (if you go in far enough, not visible until you are 12 miles in).

I climbed Stuart in 2017 via the Cadcadian Couloir route, it's good to see the area again

The trail needs some work.  There is an area 5.3 miles in that had several dead blow-downs from the Crystal Wild Fire 03'.  If you make it 13ish miles in, aim for your far left in ease for climbing the lumber pile.

Lots of beautiful campsites dot the creek, one about every mile and a half.  Snow was VERY minimal until you get about 15 miles in.  It's melting at such a rate that worries me for fire season.  Just around the corner :(

Garmin tracked 28.7 miles in 3 days.  Ready for the snow to melt in the high places :)

Went on a two-night backpacking trip for the weekend of May 2nd to scratch the itch of an early-season trip.

We arrived at the trail Friday evening, where there was plenty of parking. Additionally, the road to the trail would be easy for any car. On the hike in, we encountered a rattlesnake crossing the trail. Which made us a little more cautious of our surroundings. We pitched camp at a site about 2 miles into the trail. There are plenty of good sites, and contrary to what comments have said, I think all of them were great; it just depends on how long you want to hike in. The first night was great weather, and the creek makes for some of the best white-noise ever, ensuring a sound sleep. Saturday was a little chillier, and we decided to hike up the trail and see how far we got. We hiked about 10 miles up, and it was very beautiful. The wildflowers are blooming, and the mountains surrounding you make for some very picturesque scenery. There were some patches of snow towards the last couple of miles, however, it was very manageable. When we got back to camp, it was already getting chilly. That was quite a chilly evening, but that's early-season backpacking for you...

We hiked out midday Sunday and passed several day hikers. I should mention that there were not many people backpacking, maybe 4 other groups of people. The campsites are dispersed enough that you get a lot of privacy, though.

Overall, it was a super great spot for early-season backpacking, and I would love to go back during the summer to go check out the alpine lake and take in the creek during warmer weather!

I only went up about two and a quarter miles, but it was all snow free until that point. A handful of other hikers on the trail. It's in good condition and a few early wildflowers are blooming.