This is a very nice hike…good wildflower shows right now and an easy climb alongside a truly beautiful creek. My first woodland hike this year and a great way to start getting back on the trails.
We only hiked part of the trail, turning around at the 3.5 mile point. This section of the trail is a gradual climb through woodland greenery, sometimes on the slope well above the creek and sometimes right alongside it. Right now, the wildflower show is great….lots of paintbrush (reds, yellows and oranges) and lupine. There is also false solomon’s seal, heartleaf arnica, yellow violets, trillium, silvercrown and a few nice scatterings of the beautiful Mariposa Lily. The balsamroot is a bit knackered but still pretty. Look for a few scatterings of desert parsley, Hooker’s fairy bells and larkspur.
Ingalls Creek is beautiful right now with several spots right on its bank for a quiet think or a lunch break. And every now and then you get a glimpse in the distance of the Stuart Range. The trail is in good shape with only one tree across the trail in the section we hiked…but no problem to get over.There are a few rocky sections and some slightly loose dirt/gravel on the steeper slopes…but none cause problems. We crossed a couple of small streams but are no more than a short step over with no problem.
We had no wildlife sightings, including rattlesnakes.
Great hike and a nice day out on a fun, well maintained trail.
Logistics/other info:
- The road is paved all the way to the parking lot and in great shape
- The parking lot is large and spacious
- An update to the WTA hike description: There is a vault toilet at the trailhead and it was clean and well-stocked
- One car at the trailhead on arrival and the only one there on our return. We saw one other hiker and a dog on the trail
- Left TH around 10….moderate pace with lots of photo stops and a lunch break. Back at TH around 2:30. Total distance just over 7 miles RT
- No bugs
- More photos, if interested, in link at bottom of report
Comments
Ups n Downs on Ingalls Creek
Looks great, thanks for the report!
Posted by:
Ups n Downs on May 24, 2024 04:34 PM
rfadam on Ingalls Creek
Can't beat a walk by a big creek with beautiful wildflowers
Posted by:
rfadam on May 24, 2024 05:31 PM
thebrink on Ingalls Creek
Really nice flower photos.
Posted by:
thebrink on May 24, 2024 08:00 PM