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Ingalls Creek

Trip

Open Backpack - Ingalls Creek

Let's explore an early accessible valley in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, a lovely, wildflower-rich warm-up for the summer backpacking season. Ingalls Creek is one of the largest road-free valleys in this wilderness area. After establishing our camp, we'll make further explorations up Ingalls Creek -trail #1215, and beyond Falls Creek waterfall on trail #1216

Contacts

KT / Karen Trilevsky
KT / Karen Trilevsky
Primary Leader
Qualified Youth Leader
  • Moderate
  • Moderate
  • Mileage: 11.0 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 1,450 ft
  • High Point Elevation: 4,200 ft
  • Pace: 1.75-2.0 mph average moving pace

Trip Plan:

Day 1: We'll hike up Ingalls Creek between 5-6 miles until we locate a safe, suitable and unoccupied camping spot (campsites are not formal or reservable on this trail; flexibility will be required as we locate ours). After setting up our tents & assembling a daypack, we'll [optionally] explore further upstream on Ingalls Creek Trail #1215 [target to Cascade Creek 4mi/510' elevation roundtip], aiming to return to camp by 5 pm - cook our dinners - and hopefully have a campfire (conditions and regulations permitting), stargaze, and tell stories before heading to our tents.
Day 2: Arise, prepare your breakfast, make coffee, ​then [optionally] ~9 am, we'll assess fording Ingalls Creek [if not already on that side] and visit Falls Creek Waterfalls and beyond on trail #1216 [~3 miles, 1,500' elevation}. We'll aim to pack up by noon and return to our cars.
Conditions:
The trail is generally moderate, with gentle rises and falls as we travel upstream. Our pace will be 1.75-2 mph, so we can stay together as a group. The average temperature ranges in June are 47F-79F, with only 3 days of rain typically in June. I intend to read trip reports and scout the trail within 2 weeks of our trip to have more up-to-date knowledge of current conditions. Water is readily available. 
Unfavorable weather forecasts could cause this trip to be rescheduled. 
Wildlife & Wildflowers & views we may see:
Elk, black bears, big horn sheep, deer, fish, rodents, rattlesnakes, bobcats
Glacier Lillies, Trillium, Calypso Orchids, Paintbrush, lupine
Roaring river, old growth, granite cliffs, Stuart Range
Links:
WTA Ingalls Creek (we are just doing the lower portion of the trail)
AllTrails Ingalls Creek     "     "
Leader Permission:
Not required for those with basic backpack badge AND one or more Mountaineers backpacks in activity history 2022-2025. For those not meeting this criteria you may request permission by emailing leader with details on private backpack experience. Please include trip date and details.
Before registering (at least ​2 days before registration opens), please submit your request indicating:
  • Indicate which type of bear-resistant ​food storage method you plan to use.
  • Commit to being flexible regarding finding a suitable campsite.
Equipment:
Bear Vault​, Ursack​, or bag & rope for food & scented items
Water filter
Day pack with 10 essentials for explorations beyond camp

This is a mentored trip for KT/Karen Trilevsky. Rob Erickson has generously offered to be my mentor.

Please join us if this sounds like a fun trip. Reach out if you have any questions. ktrilevsky@gmail.com
1. Possible carpool option: Northgate Park & Ride D - "transit users can park for 72 hours" at 8 am Friday, June 6th. (2+ hour drive to trailhead). 
2. Arrange your own carpool
3.  Ingalls Creek Trailhead (~20 min from Leavenworth, WA) arrive by 10:30 am. Paved road to the trailhead and large parking lot with a privy.
We'll do some guided stretching (10 min.) to counter the effects of the long drive, then gear up, assemble for introductions & a briefing, and hit the trail no later than 11:00 a.m.
Route/Place

Ingalls Creek


  • Green Trails Mt Stuart No. 209
    Green Trails Alpine Lakes East (Stuart Range) No. 208SX
    USGS Mount Stuart
    Green Trails Liberty No. 210
    USGS Liberty
  • See full route/place details.
Roster
Required Equipment

Required Equipment

The Ten Essentials plus overnight gear which may include:

  • Tent with footprint/ground tarp
  • Stove and fuel
  • Sleeping bag
  • Sleeping pad
  • Water filter
  • Bear canister, ursack, or extra stuff sack and cord designated for hanging food
  • Cooking pot/pan with plate and utensils
  • Toilet paper and shovel or blue bag to deal with waste
  • Daypack for additional trail eplorations
Trip Reports