We got up really early to try and beat the crowds and left Bellevue at roughly 6am, getting to the parking lot at around 820ish, which was already 70% full
The three of us began hiking at around 835ish, and the trail was very pleasant: not only was it one of the least steep gradients I've been on in a while, but there were absolutely no roots or rocks of any kind, and every bend found us facing another amazing vista of the Esmeralda Peaks or walking through sublime meadows.
The larches (and the crisp cold) begin immediately after Ingalls' Pass, as does the steeper descent, but the sheer absence of people and brilliance of flaming larches easily made up for any of our troubles.
After climbing for some time, our group reached a completely empty Lake Ingalls at around 1020, and after snapping some photos from the little beach at the lake we headed up the bare slopes above the lake to eat lunch.
I seriously recommend continuing your hike with a saunter up the shoulder of Ingalls Peak, as we did, because the views of Lake Ann, Lake Ingalls, the armies of larches, and the Stuart Range or absolutely sublime.
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