Trip

Day Hike - Esmeralda Basin

Hike through old forest, meadows brimming with wildflowers, and striking scenery of the jagged and craggy Esmeralda Peaks.

Tue, Jun 20, 2023
Committee: Foothills Hiking Committee
Activity Type: Day Hiking
Audience: Adults

Difficulty: Moderate
Leader Rating: Moderate
Mileage: 7.0 mi
Elevation Gain: 1,750 ft

Availability: FULL, 2 on waitlist (9 capacity)
Registration Open: Thu, Jun 8, 2023 at 10:33 PM
Registration Closed: Sun, Jun 18, 2023 at 5:00 PM
Cancellation & Refund Policy
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Leader's notes

Moderate 7 mile hike, at a moderate pace (1.75-2 mph) with plenty of rest breaks as needed. Stops to look at the views and flowers along the way. Note: There may still be a bit of snow near the top.

Here is the trip description from WTA: Esmeralda Basin (Esmerelda) — Washington Trails Association (wta.org)

Bring lunch and plenty of water and sturdy hiking shoes. Trekking poles will be helpful.

My goals and expectations for this trip are:

1. Safety, including staying together as a group

2. Enjoy nature and have fun

3. Respectful conversation

4. Follow Leave No Trace principles

5. Assessment of your ability to hike this distance/elevation gain/pace

Meeting place and time

Meet at 8:15 am at the North Bend Safeway parking lot close to the tall Safeway/O'Reilly Auto Parts/Chase Bank sign in the parking lot to consolidate cars going to the trailhead. It's close to I-90 exit 31. I will be in a Black Subaru - License "Leung10"

A Northwest Forest Pass will be needed for those driving to the trailhead. Note: There are some reports on WTA regarding rough road to trailhead.

There are outhouses at the trailhead.

Directions to trailhead: From eastbound I-90, take Exit 85. Cross the freeway on the overpass and turn right onto Highway 970. Drive 970 for 7 miles and turn left on Teanaway Road.

7.1 miles later, bear right as the road becomes North Fork Teanaway Road. 5.9 miles past this fork, where the road becomes unpaved, take the right fork to Forest Road 9737. Drive 1.1 miles and stay left at the fork signed Beverly Campground. Continue on this road a further 6.7 miles and keep right at a fork signed for 'Trail 1394'. Drive another 1.7 miles to the trailhead. It is 22.5 miles to the Esmeralda Basin/Ingalls Lake trailhead from the turn off of Highway 970.

If the trailhead is full, park ONLY on the west side of the road (it is signed "Parking This Side Only") to allow safe traffic flow.

Route/Place

Esmeralda Basin

Recommended Maps & Charts:
Green Trails Alpine Lakes East (Stuart Range) No. 208SX
Green Trails Mt Stuart No. 209
USGS Mount Stuart
See full route/place details.