Isn't it awesome when you take a chance with the weather, the smoke and the crowds, and it all works out perfectly? There was plenty of parking when I arrived at 9:30am, the toilet was clean and well-stocked, only a couple dozen folks were on the trail, the breeze was invigorating, the cloud cover was just enough to keep cool while hiking, and the smoke wasn't bad at all, at least not during the morning. This is an excellent trail up through Ingalls Pass - a steady uphill but never too steep - and until the two trails that part from the pass meet up again. At that point it's best if you're comfortable doing some rock scrambling, and make sure to keep track of the cairns to stay on the trail. I took the upper trail on the way there - it meanders through the basin, has some great views and campsites. There's still a trickling stream there that is enough to get water from, and there were three goats munching on vegetation right on the trail nearby it. I took the lower trail heading back - it was more colorful, also has great camping spots though I'm not sure there's water nearby there right now. The whole area looks quite parched - vegetation is wilted and larches are more a brownish-gold, with spent needles scattered everywhere. The lake is indeed quite gorgeous - worth that last climb up and over the ridge to get to it.
A warning for adventurous souls: there's a rocky 6600 elevation hill/peak just east of the beach where the trail spits you out at the lake. I decided to scramble up a trail that goes along the south side of that hill to get to the top of it (I had seen someone else up there). It's an awesome view, and the top is quite expansive to walk around on and take in the 360 degree view. However, when it was time to come back down, I had lost the trail and had some trouble finding the best way back down. I called to some folks heading back from the lake and they helped me find my way back down, and it all worked out, but it was a moment of mild panic for me when it seemed like every way down was a cliff. I recommend leaving cairns as you go up if you attempt it. You can also continue from the top of that hill along the east side of the lake and all the way around it. By the afternoon it had gotten more cloudy and smoky, which felt okay given that my lungs weren't working as hard going back down. And for those who enjoy soaking their feet at the end of a hike, there's a river right near the parking lot perfect for that. Enjoy!
Comments
SavvyExploring on Lake Ingalls
Really beautiful photos!
Posted by:
SavvyExploring on Oct 21, 2022 08:20 PM
CoraGG on Lake Ingalls
Thanks!
Posted by:
CoraGG on Oct 21, 2022 10:47 PM