I'm sorry, but there is no way I want to be part of The Hiker Parade, now going on the Ingalls Lake and Ingalls Pass trail. After seeing the almost 60 vehicles in the trailhead parking lot, we decided to stay straight on the Esmeralda Trail and bypass the crowd. Saw a total of 4 people. Not as much fall color, but much more enjoyable. We live in Ellensburg and are in the Teanaway a couple times a week, so we've seen the larches up on the pass many times and understand why so many people want to enjoy them.
It was kinda funny passing all the hunting camps with the big trucks and campers before the turnoff to the De Roux campground, then seeing all the Subaru vehicles at the end of the road. I think it might be a good idea to avoid the lower trails for a bit, unless you are wearing some bright colors and a flashing police light on top of your head.
The trail is in great condition, with many small creeks, until you get to the Lake Ann trail junction. No view of Stuart from here, but many other mountains of the Central Cascades are in full view.
Comments
chrisburke on Lake Ann, Esmeralda Basin (Esmerelda)
It wasn't really all that bad at Ingalls Lake yesterday! We were alone most of the time, with plenty of space between hikers.
Posted by:
chrisburke on Oct 20, 2021 08:51 AM
Traillesstraveled on Lake Ann, Esmeralda Basin (Esmerelda)
Looks like you were still part of the "hiker Parade"
Posted by:
Traillesstraveled on Jun 30, 2022 06:04 AM