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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. We'll also make further (optional) explorations up Ingalls Creek -trail #1215. Currently, there is too much flow in Ingalls Creek to safely ford over to Falls Creek Trail and the Falls.

Contacts

KT/ Karen Trilevsky
KT/ Karen Trilevsky
Primary Leader
Qualified Youth Leader
  • Moderate
  • Moderate
  • Mileage: 17.0 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 1,450 ft
  • High Point Elevation: 4,200 ft
  • Pace: 1.75-2.0 mph average moving pace
  • FULL (6 capacity)
  • FULL (2 capacity)
  • Mon, Apr 21, 2025 at 8:00 AM
  • Wed, Jun 4, 2025 at 5:00 PM
  • Cancellation & Refund Policy
  • iCal Google

Trip Plan:

Day 1: We'll backpack up & along Ingalls Creek at a moderate pace, approx 5.5 miles to Falls Creek, until we locate a safe, suitable, and unoccupied camping spot for our group (campsites are not reservable on this trail; flexibility will be required as we locate ours). There is a nice group-sized campsite along the river, with fire pits we hope will be available when we arrive. 
After setting up our tents and relaxing a bit, we'll [optionally] assemble a daypack, and explore further upstream on Ingalls Creek Trail #1215 [target to Cascade Creek 4 mi/510' elevation roundtrip(with daypack)]. We target cooking our dinners around 6:00. We hope to have a campfire (conditions and regulations permitting), stargaze, and share conversation and stories before heading to our tents.
Day 2: Arise, make coffee, prepare your breakfast, then [optionally] ~8:30 am assemble a daypack (IF Ingalls Creek is fordable [it was not last week]) we can hike up to Falls Creek Falls [1 mile, 800 ft. gain] and aim to return to camp by 10:00, eat a bit &  finish packing up by 11:00, hit the trail, backpack 6.5 miles to the trailhead and return to our cars by 2:00 pm.
summary: ~13 miles with backpacks, ~4-7 miles with daypacks (two optional side trips)
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 47°F-79°F, with only 3 days of rain typically in June. I intend to read trip reports. I scouted the trail on May 21st - it is in excellent condition, and the wildflowers are superb. 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 at least a basic backpack badge AND one or more Mountaineer backpacks in activity history in the past 12 months. For those not meeting these criteria, you may request permission by emailing the leader with details of your recent, private backpacking experience. Please include the trip dates and details (2 trips are sufficient).
Before registering (at least ​2 days before registration opens), please submit your request indicating:
  • State 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: Issaquah Transit Center  at 9:00 am. - "transit users can park for 72 hours"  (1hr. 45+ min.  drive to the trailhead.
2. Arrange your own carpool 
3.  Ingalls Creek Trailhead -arrive by 11:00—paved road to the trailhead and large parking lot with a privy. We'll gear up, make introductions, have a briefing and be on our way! We'll stop for lunch after an hour or so. 
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