Lake Ingalls: One of The Best Fall Larch Hikes in Washington

Lake Ingalls is a large, royal blue alpine lake with Mount Stewart towering across it. Located in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, it is one of the best fall hikes in Washington due to the abundance of golden larches. The trail to Lake Ingalls is full of mountain views from Mount Rainier to Ingalls Peaks. There is an abundance of wildlife and vegetation throughout the hike as well.

Golden Larches fill the Ingalls Way trail and Headlight Valley below. Lake Ingalls is truly a Washington must-do hike drawing in thousands of hikers to see it’s beauty. The trail can be hiked in other seasons as well. Below I’ll share everything you need to know before attempting this hike.

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Things to Know About Hiking to Lake Ingalls

• The end of the trail requires a bit of rock scrambling/route finding. It is a steep but easy to maintain trail until right before the final climb. There are a lot of route options up, so keep an eye out for other hikers climbing up or coming down to help guide you. Try to stay on an established route rather than scrambling up and creating a new trail. If you are not comfortable with scrambling and route finding, you can turn around before the lake and still enjoy the larches.

• There are mountain goats present on this trail along with other wildlife, therefore know how to respond in an encounter. Be sure to properly store food and pack out all trash. Give wildlife a minimum of 25 yards of space. There are also bears in Washington. If you see a bear, know how to respond and give a minimum of 100 yards.

• There is a small parking lot at the trailhead that will fill quickly most days, but especially on weekends and in the fall. If you arrive to a full parking lot, there may be options to park on the side of the road. Park only on the west side of the road. If you try to park on both sides, the road will get blocked. I’ve seen cars up to a mile or more down the road. If the trailhead is that full, consider doing a different hike or coming back another day.

• Dogs are not allowed on this trail. They are allowed on the Esmeralda Basin trail, which shared the first .4 miles, so you may see them in the beginning, but please leave your furry friend at home for this trail.

• The larches don’t appear on trail until you reach the top of Ingalls Pass. The most condensed area of larches is through here. There are some larches around the lake in the north side, but not many.

• There are mountain goats present on this trail along with other wildlife. Be sure to properly store food and pack out all trash. Give wildlife a minimum of 25 yards of space. There are also bears in Washington. If you see a bear, know how to respond and give a minimum of 100 yards.

• If you have to go to the bathroom, be sure to go a minimum of 200 feet away from any body of water. Wildlife like the salt in our pee and sweat so be sure to go on a durable surface like a rock instead of over vegetation whenever possible. This will prevent them from digging up plants just to get to the salt.

Leave No Trace Principles

Be sure to know and follow the 7 Leave No Trace Principles on trail. It’s so important to help protect these beautiful places we love and enjoy. Make sure you know these principles before going out on a hike.

• Plan Ahead and Prepare: Always check for current weather updates and educate yourself on trail conditions prior to starting a hike. Look for recent reviews or call the local ranger station for up-to-date trail information like closures, recent wildlife and road conditions. 

• Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces: Stick to the trail. Avoid going off trail unless it’s to go to the bathroom. You can capture amazing photos from the trail. Do not cut switchbacks. Stepping off trail can cause years of damage with just one simple step. Camp in exciting campsites rather than over vegetation.  

• Dispose of Waste Properly: Pack out all trash and food scraps. Never toss food items on the ground. It is harmful to the wildlife. Properly dispose of human waste by digging a cat hole at least 6 inches deep and burying human waste. Bring a wag back to pack it out in fragile alpine terrain. Never leave toilet paper or feminine hygiene products behind. Being a bag and pack them out to dispose of properly. Same goes for dog poop. Properly burry it or pack it back out to dispose of. Do not leave dog poop bags on the side of the trail. They are easy to forget, animals can get into them and other hikers don’t want to see them. 

• Leave What You Find: Do not take objects like plant off trail with you. Preserve nature by not marking on rocks or harming any natural objects. Never pick wildflowers. It is illegal in many states. 

• Minimize Campfire Impacts: Check and follow all local wildfire regulations. Use exciting fire rings and keep fires small. Put fires out properly by dousing will multiple gallons of water. Coals should be cool to the touch before walking away. 

• Respect Wildlife: Never touch, feed or approach wildlife. Give a minimum of 25 yards to all wildlife and a minimum or 100 yard for predators and larger wildlife. Wildlife are not like house pets. They can spook easily or feel threatened. Stay in your car if wildlife is near the road.

• Be Considerate of Others : Respect other hikers by allowing those that hike faster to pass. Uphill hikers have the right of way, so safely step aside for them to pass, unless they offer to stop first. Limit noise and use headphones. Keep groups under 8. Say hello to a fellow hiker!

Lake Ingalls Location

Lake Ingalls is located in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness of Washington, outside of Cle Elum.

From Seattle, you’ll take Snoqualmie Pass just past Cle Elum. Take exit 85 towards to turn right onto WA-970. After 6.5 miles you’ll turn left onto Teanaway Road. You’ll then take a slight right into NF-9737 after 13 miles at Twentynine Pines Campground. The Lake Ingalls Trailhead parking lot is located at the end of the road.

From Ellensburg, you’ll take US-97 N for 13 miles before turning left onto WA-970. In 3.4 miles you’ll turn right onto Teanaway Road and can follow the end of the directions above.

Best Time of Year to Hike Lake Ingalls

This trail is best used summer through fall. The road to the trailhead will be snowed in in the winter and spring months and the steep terrain would have avalanche dangers. There will most likely be snow on the trail in early summer months, but snow melt will depend on current temperatures and the snowfall from winter. Later summer and fall will be the best time to have a snow free trail. If you want to see the larches, the beginning of a October is usually when they turn.

Lake Ingalls Trail Info

From the trailhead you’ll start in the Esmeralda Basin Trail for roughly .3 miles before the first junction. You’ll turn right onto the Ingalls Way Trail. Pay attention and do not miss this junction! The trail to Lake Ingalls starts out with instant elevation gain and doesn’t ease up until you reach the top of Ingalls Pass, which is roughly 3 miles from this turn.

Ingalls Way Trail is full of switchbacks through forest and meadow area. It runs along a ridge so there are open areas with beautiful views of the Esmeralda Peaks and the valley below. Be sure to look back and see if you can also spot Mount Rainier!

Once you reach the Ingalls Pass you be rewarded with views of Mount Stuart, The Ingalls Peaks and in the fall, larches! This is also where you’ll find campgrounds and the trail junction for the two camping areas, which I’ll share more about below if you want to backpack here.

Most hikers stick to the upper trail along Ingalls Way Trail. This trail is full of larches and beautiful views. Shortly after passing Headlight Creek, which you can cross over on rocks to not get wet, you start to drop in elevation. This area becomes more narrow before you’ll start to cross over rocks and need to pay attention to the trail. This is where having a downloaded map of the trail will be helpful to help guide you up to Lake Ingalls.

There is no easy route up to Lake Ingalls, which is to the left, above the valley. You’ll notice there seems to be multiple trail route options over the rocky terrain. Look for other hikers, an established trail and rock cairns (staked rock piles) to help guide you in the right direction. Make sure you do no go creating a new trail and stick to established routes as much as possible. This section can be rocky to navigate and scramble over rocks, but it is doable if you’re comfortable going over rocks.

As you near the top of the rock field it’ll start to level out as you approach Lake Ingalls. The lake is surrounded by rock so it’s easy to walk around the lake and stay on durable surfaces. If you’re lucky you may see a mountain goat or two in the rocks around the lake. There is a trail that you can follow around the entire lake, just be sure to stick to the established trail or durable surfaces like rocks. The trail around the lake does have an area of boulders you’ll have to navigate, but it is an obvious dirt trail after.

Camping at Lake Ingalls

You can backpack the Lake Ingalls trail, but camping at the lake is prohibited! There are two options for places to camp though. The first is to find an established spot up on the ridge off the Ingalls Way Trail. You will stay to the left at the trail junction at the top of the Ingalls Pass. The second option is to take a right at the pass and head down Headlight Basin to a campsite. This trails reconnects shortly after crossing Headlight Creek. It you plan to backpack to Lake Ingalls, be sure to check out my “Backpacking Guide” for gear recommendations and a free printable check list.

Backpacking Responsibly

What does this mean? It means follow the Leave No Trace Principles and limit your impact on the trail.

• Plan ahead and prepare. This means researching the area ahead of time, knowing the weather forecast and packing accordingly. Planning and preparing for a trip is important to keep you safe and allow you to enjoy your trip stress free.
• Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces.This means finding a campsite where you can tell others have camp prior rather than finding a new campsite. Do not put your tent on vegetation or in meadows, causing harm to the plants. Be responsible in choosing a site and limit your footprint in the backcountry. Stay on trail and do not walk through sensitive environments, like meadows.
• Leave What You Find. Nature is amazing but belongs in nature. Do not pick wildflowers or bring home rocks or other items you may find. Do not mark on rocks or vandalize nature. 
• Dispose of Waste Properly. All garbage should be packed back out with you and disposed of properly at home. Bring a ziplock bag for toilet paper. Use a shovel to dig a cat hole and bury any human waste 6-8 inches underground or pack it out with you if that is not an option. Food items such as peels and nut shells should also be disposed of properly in a bag and taken back off trail with you.
• Respect Wildlife. Do not feed or approach any wildlife. Minimize your noise by not playing music outdoors. Know the wildlife for the area so you are prepared for encounters. Do not leave food or garbage accessible (bear bag hangs are best).
• Minimize Campfire Impacts. Always know the local guidelines for your area before starting a fire. Many locations do seasonal bans depending on the season. Use an existing fire ring whenever possible. If you must create a new ring, always clear the ground of all debris and use a location with minimal impact to the vegetation. Make sure your fire is completely out by dousing it in water multiple times and never throw garbage into the fire.
• Be Considerate of Other Visitors. Be aware of your noise levels and be sure to kindly share the trail. Know proper trail etiquette so everyone can enjoy their time outside in nature. Remember, others may be afraid of dogs or have allergies so keep you dog on leash or safely away from others.

What to Bring

The 10 Essentials

No matter the length of difficulty of a hike, you should always carry a backpack with the 10 essentials. You can learn more about these items in my “The 10 Essentials” guide. This hike is a more difficult hike and if there were an emergency and you had to get help on trail, you will want to have these items on hand. Moreover, you can always help a fellow hiker in need.

Backpack

Every person hiking should always have their own backpack with water and supplies. Never rely on someone else to carry your gear because if there is an emergency everyone should be individually prepared. I like to use one between 25-28L so I have plenty of room for food and layers. I have the Gregory Jade 28 and the REI Trail 25.

Clothing Layers

It’s important to pack plenty of layers, especially for alpine terrain hiking. The weather can change quickly and if you hike in the fall, it can go from cold to warm in hours. I like to bring a down coat and rain coat with me so I know I’ll be comfortable if the weather turns. I also bring a long sleeve shirt to wear over a tank top. It can be used as a sun shirt for protection or a warm layer.

Water and Electrolytes

It’s so important to stay hydrated hiking, no matter the time of the year. Plan to have one liter of water per 2 hours of hiking. There are a few streams you can filter water at if you bring a filter, but plan to pack plenty of water. I also bring electrolyte snacks on every hike I go on. I like using my bladder to make sure I’m consuming enough water since it’s easier to drink from. A large water bottle is a great option if you don’t like bladders. I always carry my water filter with me so I can resupply my water as needed. 

Hiking Shoes

Always wear proper shoes when hiking. This means trail runners or hiking boots because they will provide the best traction over rocks and loose terrain. Sandals and tennis shoes are not great footwear for the trail. This trail can be wet and rocks will be slick. Water proof shoes are best if the trail is wet.

Technology

If you have the means, it’s so important to carry a satellite communications device with you into the backcountry. This will allow you to get ahold of emergency services should you need it but also communicate with friends or family off trail. I also use a Garmin watch to track mileage and elevation on the trail so I can properly determine where I am on the hike. If you plan. to do this hike for sunrise or sunset you will definitely need a headlamp, although it should already be in your pack for the 10 essentials.

Sun Protection

This hike is extremely exposed after reaching the pass, so bring and use proper sun protection. I always pack sunscreen to reapply throughout the hike as needed. I also wear a hat often and bring a sun shirt to help protect my skin from harmful UV rays.

Bug Spray

Hiking to an alpine lake always comes with mosquitoes. Hiking in the fall will reduce how many mosquitoes are at the lake, but there is always a mosquito presence, so go prepared. Carry bug spray for your clothes and skin. If it’s early in the summer season, consider extra clothing layers to keep them off your skin and a bug net for you head. The snowfields are also a breeding ground for them. You can learn more about insect repellents and gear in my guide, here. I hiked mid-August and had zero issues with bugs thankfully, but every year will be different. I also carry a tick remover should I need it.

Hiking Poles

Hiking poles will be extremely helpful on this hike if you want to save your knees from the constant downhill stepping. They are also great for helping keep you balanced on uneven terrain. I always carry poles in my pack and find my knees hurt less when I use them. I love my collapsible Black Diamond poles because they are so compact in my backpack.

Reminders

• Stick to the designated trails. Do not go off trail to get photos of larches and the surrounding mountains. Every step off trail causes irreparable damage that can take years to recover from. You can get amazing photos from the trail!

• Do not approach or feed wildlife. You could possibly see marmots and mountain goats at Lake Ingalls, therefore know how to respond in an animal encounter. Feeding wildlife is extremely harmful to them as it can make them dependent on humans for food. Give a minimum of 25 yards whenever possible.

• This is an extremely popular trail in summer months, and especially in the fall. Be prepared to share the trail and see a lot of other hikers. If you can go on a weekday you’ll have a better chance of less crowds. Be courteous and share the trail and views.

• If you have to go to the bathroom, be sure to go a minimum of 200 feet away from any body of water. Wildlife like the salt in our pee and sweat so be sure to go on a durable surface like a rock instead of over vegetation whenever possible. Thai will prevent them from digging up plants just to get to the salt.

I hope this guide helps you in your adventure to Lake Ingalls! If you have any further questions or want to share your experience after, please leave a comment below!

Happy Hiking,

Elizabeth

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