Lake Ingalls

 Drove out to the Teanaway to hike up to Lake Ingalls and enjoy the golden larches.There was no snow on the road, but the snow began from the beginning of the trail. This is a 9 mile round trip hike with an overall elevation gain of 2,600 ft.
The first part of the trail goes up along Ithe North Fork of the Teanaway River for about 0.4 miles, then branches off to the right and begins to head upwards.

 snowy Esmeralda Peak

 There was a bit of fall color, but it was covered in snow today.
About 1 mile after the trail split from Esmeralda Basin, the trail divides again, head to the left for Ingalls Pass and Lake Ingalls.

 This section of the trail is along open slopes, here we passed a boulder with frozen sheets of ice and icicles.
There was more snow at the higher elevation, we were glad there were hikers ahead of us who had made a nice path in the snow!

 About 3 miles from the trailhead, reach Ingalls Pass and the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.

 From Ingalls Pass through Headlight Basin, we were walking among the larch trees.












wide angle view of Headlight Basin, the Ingalls Peaks and a cloud covered Mount Stuart

 We choose to follow the track through the high route through Headlight Basin.











pano view from further in Headlight Basin:

 a frozen pond

 the creeks were still flowing

 Mount Stuart still had a large cloud on top

 With a track from previous hikers in the snow through the boulder field, it was much easier to follow, no route finding necessary for us today.

 Looking back across Headlight Basin to Ingalls Pass

 Beautiful reflection of Mount Stuart in Ingalls Lake.
Most of the hikers had already left Lake Ingalls by the time we arrived, it was very quiet and peaceful.








wide angel view at Lake Ingalls

 Panoramic view of Lake Ingalls and Mount Stuart from our lunch spot in the boulders.

 Ingalls Peaks from Ingalls Lake

 Heading back down from the lake, the sun began to come out from behind the clouds, lighting up the larces.

 We choose to take the low or alternate route back through Headlight Basin to Ingalls Pass, giving us some different views and a walk through more larches.
Here is Mount Stuart from the alternate trail

 sun behind some larches

 Ingalls Peaks

 We followed other hikers tracks, which followed fairly closely to the summer trail, but did skip the switchbacks, going strait up to Ingalls Pass.

 Another view of Mount Stuart with golden larches in the foreground as we neared Ingalls Pass.











At Ingalls Pass heading back down to the trailhead, this is the last (and was the first) larch we saw today. Thoroughly enjoyed this gorgeous hike!!!