Daisy and I arrived at the Esmeralda Basin TH at around 8am on Thursday morning and got one of a few remaining spots in the parking lot. My pack was ready for 3 nights at Lake Ann, so off we went. Note: there were no pens or pencils in the registry box and I didn't have any so I was unable to sign a hiking permit.
We made it to our camping spot in less than 2 hours and had not seen a single soul. Everyone was at Ingalls, naturally. The lake was still in the shade at 10am and it was very windy so putting the tent up was a challenge but I got it done. We rested a bit and then wandered up to Van Epps pass just for fun. I wanted to summit but I hadn't carried any water and it was pretty hot at that point for Daisy so we just came back down.
It was super windy, almost the entire time we were there. I am impressed that my tent held it together perfectly but it was very loud and made it hard to sleep. We ended up coming home a day early because I didn't want to spend another night inside a tornado and it was still windy on that side of the basin when we hiked out today. Daisy did great and had fun swimming and hopping rocks with me, she's so silly.
On Friday we stayed around the lake and a few people filtered in and out but really not too many. The larches were perfect. The last time I was up there with the yellow larches, there was already quite a bit of snow. We hiked quite a long ways down Fortune Creek, until it flattened out. There are some pretty little waterfalls along there.
Today, Saturday, we packed up and hiked out after deciding the wind was never stopping. I lost count of how many people were coming up to Lake Ann with their super friendly dogs. I've never seen so many people, but nothing like Ingalls, NOTHING remotely like that. Everyone was happy to not be on the other trail. Haha!
When we were driving out, the cars were lined up along the road, both sides at times, almost 3 miles from the trailhead. It was a nightmare. I cannot even fathom how many people were at Lake Ingalls today, but I am so glad I was not one of them. I just hope they all pack it out.
It took me forever to get out and the sheriff passed me at mile 1 going in, as i was leaving. When i got home I heard him on scanner ask for traffic control assistance from the forest service because "numerous vehicles" were stuck up there and could not move their vehicles. All for larches? Really? You can just drive over Blewett Pass and see larches. People know that, right? Lol. I just don't know how people have that kind of patience? Tolerance? Stamina? Sanity?
Serenity now!! That's my mantra. I'm with Frank Costanza, 100%.
Oh god, I left my Rx sunglasses in my car and of course there were zero clouds for the entire time. So annoying. Don't do that! 😎
Happy hiking!
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