205

Lake Ann, Esmeralda Basin — Jul. 10, 2010

Snoqualmie Region > Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
3 photos
  • Wildflowers blooming
 
The Hike of the Week Club had not been to Esmerelda Basin in more than 25 years, so felt that a return trip was called for. Wildflowers were excellent! At about 0.9 miles in, the trail has been rerouted to go further up the hill side to avoid a boggy area. For historical reasons, we followed the old trail, which is the miners road to the mining claim at Esmerelda Basin. Yes, the old trail was boggy, which is why it was rerouted, but we were treated to meadows full of shooting stars, with the occasional bog orchid thrown in, that the new trail misses. Rather than staying on Trail 1394 to Fortune Pass, we elected to take Trail 1226.2 toward Lake Ann. The initial part of the trail is steeper than the Esmerelda basin trail to that point, but soon enters a little hidden basin before turning steep again towards the divide to Lake Ann. There are a few patches of snow on the trail, but nothing more than 10 feet long. Glacier lilies were still blooming on the Lake Ann trail, but had faded at lower elevations. Hikers interested in historical artifacts should follow the side trail into the mining claim at Esmerelda basin, continuing through the basin and across a little stream on the other side. The side trail continues up the hill to the old prospect (marked on the USGS map, but not Green Trails), and just as the trail starts up the hill to the left are the remains of what appears to be an old steam plant, presumably to supply compressed air to the drills for the mine. Lots of flowers, with shooting stars being the main attraction, lots of sun, and minimal bugs.
4 photos
ejain
WTA Member
Outstanding Trip Reporter
900
Beware of: snow, trail conditions

1 person found this report helpful

 

Set out intending to do the "Lake Ann - Ingalls Peak Loop" described in the Falcon guide "Backpacking Washington's Alpine Lakes Wilderness". Got off to a late start, so I camped just a few miles in, on the ridge above lake Ann. Found a great, wind-protected spot with amazing views. Headed down towards Jack Creek the next morning. Lost the trail briefly after descending from Van Epps Pass. The trail is supposed to take a sharp right turn, but neither the guide book nor my 1:100,000 "Alpine Lakes Wilderness Society" map were much help among the criss-cross of 4WD tracks in that area. The trail between that area and Jack Creek was somewhat overgrown and had a few muddy sections. After crossing Jack Creek (not a big deal, thanks to low water levels) I headed up to Stuart Pass. The trail passed through what appeared to be the bottom end of a recent forest fire. Further up, the trail had a light dusting of snow (with a lot of animal tracks, and no human footprints), but was still clear enough to follow. Upon reaching the pass, I was unable to locate the trail leading to Ingalls Lake: All I found was a faint trail just below the ridge, with only goat tracks, and which I stopped following when it appeared to be getting too scrambly. So instead I went down the valley a bit and then over Longs Pass. The Longs Pass trail was easy to find (i.e. there is a sign). Ingalls Creek barely had any water, and was therefore easy to cross. Lots of blowdowns in the lower half of this trail. The trail was a bit faint at times, but nevertheless easy to follow as (after some initial meandering) it went straight up. The very top part was almost a scramble. Arrived back at the trailhead while it was still daylight (and before someone sent SAR looking for me)... Didn't meet a single person on the trail (though my car wasn't the only one in the parking lot).

Esmerelda Basin, County Line, Lake Ann — Jun. 28, 2009

Snoqualmie Region > Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
3 photos
  • Wildflowers blooming
 
Previous reports have described problems with the potholes on the road to Esmerelda basin. Unfortunately, there are yahoos out there who insist on passing very fast. The flowers are at their absolute peak. Lower down in the basin there are more shooting stars than I have ever seen. Higher up, the glacier lilies (Erythronium grandiflorum), Douglasia nivalis, and Anemone drumondii are at their peak. There are lomatiums, orchids (white rein and northern green bog) and other beauties too numerous to mention. In the boggy places north of the trail look for the violet-like insectivorous plant Pinguincula vulgaris. It has tiny leaves, digests insects that become trapped in its throat. Despite the large numbers of hikers (most evident at the start of the trail), this is a fabulous hike for the views from Mt. Adams to Glacier Peak and the flowers.
 
Decided to join the hordes out hiking this weekend and was looking for something relatively snow-free. Decided I'd head up to Esmerelda Basin, since I'd only ever been up to Ingalls. The North Fork Teanaway Rd is rough with potholes for the first 3 miles or so, and then flattens out. The parking lot was packed, but I was pleasantly surprised at how few people I saw ON THE WAY UP. The trail was in great shape all the way up to Fortune Creek Pass. There was only one small patch of snow remaining at the Pass, and I saw some backpackers making their way down to Gallagher Lk for the loop trip. After soaking in the lovely views of the Esmereldas from the pass, I headed up to Lake Ann. There are beautiful views, though none of the Lake as it is still frozen and snowed over. On my way down, I seemingly came across everyone else who had parked in the lot. Regardless, it was a wonderful day out near magnificent Stuart.
2 photos
Beware of: snow conditions
  • Wildflowers blooming
 
Our goal was to hike the Esmerelda Loop. We began the loop on the Esmerelda Basin trail (1394) but turned back at Fortune Pass when the trail became indiscernable due to snow cover. Weather patterns: both days the following weather pattern repeated itself: a) sunny morning b) thunder, lightning, and rain in the early afternoon c) sunny evening We are not sure if this is a typical weather pattern for this area in this season, but highly recommend packing your rain gear, despite the fact this basin is in a 'rain shadow'. Trail conditions: trail was clear but soggy. Hard to keep feet dry during stream crossings, but our husky was able to cross all streams on his own. Snowbanks were present at start of trail and increased with frequency as we gained elevation. Both the pass to Lake Ann and Fortune Creek Pass were snowed in. Due to snow-cover we were unable to find the trail from Fortune Creek Pass to Gallagher Head Lake, so did not complete the loop. We also tried to find the trail to Ann Lake and were unable to find that trail as well, due to snow. Wildflowers: Lower meadows full of shooting-stars, and small yellow lilies blooming at all altitudes. Other than that, we did not see showy wildflowers. Happy Hiking! R&E Chao