Ingalls Creek — Saturday, May. 23, 1998

Central Cascades > Blewett Pass

A pretty nice hike, well maintained to the Falls Creek camp, rough and overgrown beyond. Lots of wildflowers out, and I saw two lizard species and a couple of frogs. Continued on and camped Saturday night (5/23) just east of Fourth Creek. Next morning I reached significant snow levels around 4,500', but was able to follow the trail using others' footprints, up to about 5500' -- well into the basin below Ingalls Lake and Stuart Pass. But the rain and some good sense finally discouraged me from ascending all the way to the lake -- I'd seen it before under far more favorable weather conditions. So I returned to camp, packed up my sleeping bag and soggy tent, and hiked all the way back down the valley to my car (just as it was getting dark, about 8:45) and a long drive home to Seattle.