We made camp along the lower trail just short of Head-light Creek.

The next morning we sat out to circumnavigate Lake Ingalls and climb to the beginning of the granite on Mt. Stuart. The red line shows a trail around the right of the lake. That is a very difficult route. Left around the lake is not easy but it is preferred. At the far end of the lake is a small lagoon that is a beautiful spot for lunch.

We arrived too early for lunch so we continued on to Stuart Pass. With more mountain before us we pressed on to a spot just above the 'A' in LAKES on the map. There we had lunch and took a few pictures before heading back.

This was the inaugural hike for the backpack guitar. In the absence of a campfire, singing classic rock hits to head-lamps helped wile away the hours. The experience was further enhanced by Nelson's Bon Scott and Dave's Roy Orbison.

Bring your sun block and DEET on this hike. You will want to apply them both liberally at the trailhead.

Lake Ingalls
August 1, 2003

Ease: Although this is not a difficult hike it is uphill from the moment you leave the trailhead all of the way to Ingalls Pass. At times the trail is sloped and narrow along a steep drop off. The bottom third of the trail is wooded. In the woods we could hear a creek, but beyond there water was scarce along the trail until Ingalls Pass. The hike can easily be made in 3 hours.

Payoff: The view of Mt. Stuart is spectacular, but it is no Mt. Rainier. Ingalls Peak and Mt. Stuart are the only peaks to be seen from camp. From the base of Mt. Stuart on the other side of Lake Ingalls other peaks and ranges can be seen but from a considerable distance.

Conditions: We enjoy camping on the rocks with an unobstructed view of Mt. Stuart. The upper (western) trail offers more wooded campsites. The camp toilet has one of the best views in the Pacific Northwest. Water was plentiful (at camp but not along the trail) even though the summer had been unusually dry. Mosquitoes were everywhere, I have never seen them so thick. Don't even think about a campfire.