[tigermn]

All Photos

Lake Ingalls/Longs Pass routes.

GPS/Route Data OK yet another Ingalls lake trip report from last Saturday. I had never been, never seen golden larches so ..... I also took the side trip to Longs pass on the way up. A nice little 1.1 mile diversion (contrary to the .6 miles it says on Green Trails). I arrived at the parking lot at exactly 08:00AM to a few cars. Was on the trail by 08:23. It was definitely cold. I dressed warm but shed the hat and gloves after about 20 minutes.

Esmeralda basin trailhead/parking area.

Very early Lake Ingalls trail/old logging road.

After a mere .27 miles you reach the first fork. Go right for the larch goodies. Stay straight for other destinations.

First trail fork Ingalls lake trail.

Climb up through trees to the next junction. Right for Longs Pass, straight to continue towards Ingalls Pass/Lake Ingalls.

Lower ingalls lake trail.

Views from lower trail before longs pass junction.

Fork to Longs Pass.

As you climb the views get better.

Heading up to Longs pass.

Longs pass trail.

Heading up to Longs pass.

Heading up to Longs pass.

Heading up to Longs pass.

Views of Rainier heading up towards Longs pass.

Approaching Longs pass.

After a bit I reached the pass. There was a nice nippy breeze blowing so I got my first taste of larches, snapped a few pictures and retreated.

Views from Longs Pass.

Views from Longs Pass.

Views from Longs Pass.

Views from Longs Pass.

Views from Longs Pass.

Views from Longs Pass.

Views from Longs Pass.

Back at the fork I continued towards Ingalls Pass. Didn't really see a lot of people at this point. Most were either up ahead or arriving later.

Views on heading towards Ingalls pass.

Views on heading towards Ingalls pass.

Views on way up to Ingalls Pass.

Rainier on way up to Ingalls Pass.

Moon view over Fortune on way up to Ingalls pass.

Views on way up to Ingalls pass.

View of Rainier on way up to Ingalls Pass.

Views on way up to Ingalls pass.

After some switchbacking you know you are close as you get Larch glimpses

First view of larches about to arrive at Ingalls pass notch.

Then arrive at the pass. Now I saw more people. Making amazingly slow progress as was I, soaking in the views.

Arrive at Ingalls Pass.

Views from Ingalls pass area.

Views from Ingalls pass area.

Views from Ingalls pass area.

Stuart from Ingalls pass.

Larch from Ingalls pass.

Larch from Ingalls pass.

Stuart from trail between Ingalls pass and tarns/meadows.

Zoom of peak of Stuart from trail between Ingalls pass and tarns/meadows.

I slowly meandered towards the lake. Views, larches and a few tarns along the way.

Larches on lake ingalls trail.

Larch views from lake ingalls trail.

Crumbly rock towards Fortune peak from lake ingalls trail.

Larch views and puddle from lake ingalls trail.

Larch views and puddle from lake ingalls trail.

Larch views from lake ingalls trail.

After a bit reach some camping areas. I only saw one tent in the near vicinity.

Flat tarn area on way to Lake Ingalls.

View down from little waterfall in tarn area.

Reach a fork with an alternate route it appears.

Trail fork nearing lake.

Scramble through some rocky areas before reaching the lake. Views all the way.

Gotta get up there to the to lake over the notch.

Rocky area near Lake Ingalls.

Views back towards Ingalls Pass from near Lake Ingalls.

Then like the larches the lake magically appears. As you walk more of it comes into view.

Very first view of Lake Ingalls arriving at the notch.

Lake Ingalls coming into view on arrival.

Lake Ingalls coming into view on arrival.

Lake Ingalls coming into view on arrival.

I found a nice lounge chair like rock to sit back and soak in the sun and eat lunch. A chilly breeze make me reach for the hat and gloves otherwise it was plenty warm for how I was dressed.

Pano 1 from Lake Ingalls.

Pano 2 from Lake Ingalls.

Pano 3 from Lake Ingalls.

Lake Ingalls and Mt. Stuart.

Lake Ingalls and Jacks ridge.

Lake Ingalls,Jacks ridge and Mt. Stuart.

Westmost "summit" of Stuart from Lake Ingalls.

Eastmost "summit" of Stuart from Lake Ingalls.

Top of one of the Ingalls peak summits from Lake Ingalls.

Stuart from Lake Ingalls.

Parting shot of Lake Ingalls/Stuart.

What more can you say. A beautiful fall day. A lot of people but you can spread out pretty well. After eating I was starting to get cold and it was time to head back unfortunately.

Parting shot of Lake Ingalls/Stuart.

Larches and rock slabs on way back from lake.

Odd tree on way down from lake.

Lake Ingalls right over that notch in middle.

Views down valley Ingalls creek valley.

Shortly below the summit more were coming up and ran into a party of 13 coming up...

More minions heading up to Lake Ingalls.

Stuart heading down from lake.

Group of 13 nearing notch for Ingalls Lake.

All in all I counted about 60 people or so ascending on my way down. Plus all that were already up there. Some were probably stopping in the pass area and not even bothering with the lake. The pass was good enough really for the larches. A few more shots on the uneventful way down.

Mt. Stuart and larches from west of Stuart pass.

Views up valley from west of Stuart Pass.

Peak to west from Stuart pass.

Big boy Rainier from near Ingalls Pass.

Views back towards Fortune.

Fall colors along trail 1390.

Fall colors on trail not far from parking lot.

What a great day. You couldn't ask for much more and this hike if any proves you don't have to climb to the top of a peak for a worthwhile day.

[Backpacker Joe]

Hey that's a pretty cool trip. Group of 13 nearing the notch... UGH! I was the only person there when I went into Ingalls the other day.....

[Backpackapalooza]

I did this hike with my two boys on Sunday afternoon. First time. I think this is one of the finest day hikes I have ever been on. With the sunny weather this past weekend, it truly was one of those epic days that stays with you forever. I can't recommend this hike enough. Get it in this weekend! I'm sure there is some snow there now but the weekend forecast looks pretty good. Still good larch color up there!