Lake Ingalls! Why is everyone in Seattle doing this 9-mile hike in the Teanaway?! Once you go, you'll see for yourself. Knowing it was going to be crowded, Amy and I camped near the trailhead and started hiking at daybreak. The first three miles up to Ingalls Pass were gradual and opened up into sweeping views. But once we crested over the pass... WOW!!! We learned there are two kinds of larches (larches are an interesting deciduous conifer): western and subalpine. This area has subalpine larches and they change color earlier in the season so we were treated to a dazzling display of color all over the valley with the impressive Mount Stuart presiding majestically above it all.
It is about 1.5 more miles through this magical valley and then up and into the basin of Lake Ingalls. There are no larches near the lake. But the turquoise color dramatic setting are impressive in their own right. Leaving super early yielded us a bubble of isolation on the way up and at the lake. But by the time we finished a snack and left the lake (10:45), the crowds had shown up for "Larch Madness." We passed so many hikers also enjoying this amazing setting. We tracked cars parked over one mile beyond the trailhead on our way out. So... is it worth it - absolutely. But if it is possible for you, try to time it to enjoy a little bit of quiet while you're there. We headed home afterwards and I was super wiped but happy after a weekend of 23+ miles of hiking!
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