[Nancyann]

Upon arriving at the Ingalls Creek trailhead and seeing bare dirt instead of snow on the trail, I declared to my hiking partner that I was going to hike in my Chacos instead of gaiters and my nice new waterproof boots. He grimaced and rolled his eyes, knowing better and being appropriately attired in gaiters and waterproof boots. I have looked down at the Ingalls Creek drainage many times from the Teanaways, but this would be the first time actually hiking up the trail. The Forest Service handout said this was a good early spring hike, so I pictured strolling for miles up a snow-free trail lined with wildflowers, in the sun. The river was beautiful and there were glacier lillies blooming everywhere.

Ingalls Creek Trail 4/24/17

Ingalls Creek Trail 4/24/17

Ingalls Creek Trail 4/24/17

Glacier Lillies, Ingalls Creek Trail 4/24/17

Glacier Lillies, Ingalls Creek Trail 4/24/17

Glacier Lillies, Ingalls Creek Trail 4/24/17

Glacier Lillies, Ingalls Creek Trail 4/24/17

After the first 1 1/2 miles, however, things began to go downhill, despite the fact that we were going uphill.

Ingalls Creek Trail 4/24/17

Ingalls Creek Trail 4/24/17

Ingalls Creek Trail 4/24/17

Ingalls Creek Trail 4/24/17

Ingalls Creek Trail 4/24/17

Ingalls Creek Trail 4/24/17

At first, the snow on the trail was just intermittent, but by mile number three, we were postholing up to our knees in some places. Also, there were many areas where the trail was covered with avalanche debris and blowdowns, making travel in Chacos a little tricky. However, we were hoping to proceed up to the Falls Creek Trail junction at five miles for some nice views of the Stuart Range. So, I took off my smart wool socks and rolled up my leggings and proceeded up trail barefoot in my Chacos. It actually went very well, because very soon my feet went a little numb. Soon after that, we began to get some nice views.

View upstream, Ingalls Creek Trail 4/24/17

Snowy Teanaways from Ingalls Creek Trail 4/24/17

View towards The Enchantments, Ingalls Creek Trail 4/24/17

At Fourth Creek, the sky became gray and we heard thunder rumbling, so we decided to call it a day and turn around. On the way back, I was treated to the sight of a gorgeous male duck and his mate sitting on a rock next to the river. When they saw me, they jumped into the river and floated away. I was able to get a couple of blurry pics with my inexpensive little camera.

Ducks on Ingalls Creek 4/24/17

Ducks on Ingalls Creek 4/24/17

It was a real treat watching them float down the white water!

[zephyr]

I like this part.

[Brushbuffalo]

[mbravenboer]

Nice report! I really should do this hike some spring. Looks like it's a bit too early still.

[Nancyann]

Glad I could provide some entertainment zephyr. Brushbuffalo, you must have been a pretty tough guy back in the day. Pics or it didn't happen. Martin, I always thought this would be a long, boring walk, but Ingalls Creek was quite lovely.

[Brushbuffalo]

[mbravenboer]

Yeah, Jake loves looking at rapids, which was probably the highlight of our hike last year to Rampart Lakes. Early season Lake Ingalls or Icicle look good for this!

[Nancyann]

Brushbuffalow, it would be fun to hear more of your stories! Martin, probably another several weeks before it would be easy to proceed very far up the creek. Still lots of blowdowns and snow after three miles.

[puzzlr]

[Nancyann]

Thanks puzzlr! I have just been using an inexpensive little Nikon Coolpix for quite some time so good pictures are kind of hit and miss. Hoping to upgrade to a mirrorless camera by summer though!

[Hiker Mama]

I love that trail in the spring. Looks like we'll wait a bit before hiking it, though. Your ducks are harlequin ducks. Such striking markings!

[Nancyann]

Thanks Hiker Mama, for the duck ID. I was hoping someone would recognize which kind it was!