Arrived at 9:30 am to an almost full parking lot on a Tuesday morning in early August. No TP in the outhouse at the trailhead. We were on the trail by 10 am. Half our party was new to pack packing, so we took our time for snack breaks and photo ops along the trial and lunch at Ingalls Pass. We were two middle aged adults and two teen age boys. We made it to the pass at in about 3 hours each carrying 30 lb packs. The temperature was 77 degrees and I was glad it wasn't hotter. There is a decently long section mid way to Ingalls Pass that is treeless and in the full sun.
The trial was in great condition. Very similar to how I remember it, from a few years ago in the fall when we came to see the larches, with only a few rocky spots until you get to Ingalls Pass then the west side trail is quite rocky until it drops to the meadow in Headlight Basin. It gets rocky again after the meadow and stays that way all the way up to the lake. In full sunlight, the last bit of trail up to the lake was easy to follow if you took your time and paid attention to little clues. On a foggy day or in tricky lighting it could be very challenging to navigate as many others have mentioned in previous trip reports.
We met various day hikers on the trail but it never felt crowded. There was only one other party camping overnight in Headlight Basin with us. We took the "high road" or west side of the loop trail that rings Headlight Basin to find our camp spot. There was water in the stream in the meadow but beware the back country toilet, marked on the All Trails and CalTopo maps, is truly full.
After setting up camp, we continued up the rocky trail to the lake for a late afternoon swim. No goats at the lake at 4pm and only a few people. After a super chilly but very invigorating dip in the lake, we headed back to camp. As we were making dinner, we did spy 2 goats up on the west sidewall of Headlight basin. Scraps of their shedding fur was caught in the trees in several places around camp but they did not choose to visit us.
A few clouds rolled in around sunset and it was quiet windy most of the night. By 5:30 am the wind had died down but it started to rain lightly but steadily. We had a quick breakfast in our rain gear, packed up quickly and headed back. The younger set, with good knees, bounded back to the car more quickly. The seasoned crowd wisely took their time noting that there are still 4 or 5 kinds of wildflowers to be seen. The lupine are done but the paintbrush and others are quietly lurking near the trial if one takes the time to notice. Young ones took an hour off their return trip. The older ones did not. All in all a very enjoyable overnight. Less cars in the lot at midday on our return probably because of the rain and possible thunderstorms foretasted for the late afternoon. No way would I want to be up in that basin or near the lake in a thunder storm.
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