Hiking to Ingalls Lake By Warren Biggins
I don’t know that I could have asked for a better first month in Seattle! Since I moved here from Chicago, I’ve settled in to my position at The Wilderness Society as the new Program Intern, explored the city and attended my first Bumbershoot. I have also been been able to get out into the stunning North Cascades on three occasions, with beautiful weather every time. This Sunday’s (9/14) hike to Ingalls Lake in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness was especially memorable as it capped off my birthday weekend and my girlfriend’s first visit to Seattle. As we began our drive along I-90 to Cle Elum I wondered if this hike would be able to match the awe-inspiring beauty of my two previous hikes to Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm and Gothic Basin and Foggy Lake. The five-star rating in my Mountaineers day hiking book assured me that it would.
We pulled in to the crowded parking lot at about two in the afternoon and set out on the trail quickly, determined not to let the late start affect our goal of reaching the lake and making it back to the car before nightfall. As we rose above the Teanaway Valley, the exposed trail offered constant views, which was a nice departure from my previous closed-canopy hikes. Of course, with the sun out in full force and the temperature in the low 80s, I would not have minded some shade. After two miles of steady but gradual climbing we came to a junction and proceeded left, leaving Longs Pass for another day. In another third of a mile we came to Ingalls Pass and began our descent into and through Headlight Basin, taking in the gorgeous heather meadows and silently wishing we were spending the night at one of the well-situated campsites. The last mile to the lake had us on the ascent again, as we climbed over some boulders and rock slabs before the trail dropped to Ingalls Lake. Framed by Ingalls Peak and the imposing Mount Stuart, the lake was clear and cold and extremely refreshing. The views weren’t too bad either!
As luck would have it, while we relaxed and ate lunch a mountain goat and her kid descended to the lake. We happily took pictures and smiled at our good fortune as they steadily moved closer. When the goats closed the distance to 10 feet or so we decided to gather up our stuff and move away and let them enjoy the shore. When they continued following behind shortly after, we ascended up the long rock slabs away from the lake. Apparently they were as interested in us as we were in them!
At that point we decided to leave the goats and the lake behind and set out on the return trip. We arrived back at the car at seven or so, completing the nine mile roundtrip in about five hours. The views of the mountains, meadows and Ingalls Lake were stunning, and the hike definitely lived up to its billing. Can’t wait to get out again next weekend!
The North Cascades