WENATCHEE NATIONAL FOREST, WA :: I really enjoy my morning drives to distant trailheads. It’s a rare opportunity to quietly think and reflect on things. Once I’m outside of the city, it’s just me in my climate-controlled cabin cruising through the beautiful Teanaway Valley, away from the traffic and free from all distractions. Sometimes I’ll turn on NPR and have the guys from “Car Talk” join me. Good times.
The trailhead for Ingalls Lake is two hours away. When I arrived, the parking area was full, but I didn’t see very many people on the trail. The trail to the lake climbs 2600 feet over 4.5 miles. It branches off in a few different directions, so I figured only a minority were planning to reach the lake. Camping is allowed in the valley beneath Ingalls Lake and Mt. Stuart, but no dogs are allowed.
This was my second hike to Ingalls Lake. My first time was a few years ago when I was still fairly new to hiking. It was my first Eastern Washington hike and I remember being blown away by it’s desert-like scenery. I was so accustomed to dark green forests and cool alpine lakes that the experience of dry, dusty trails and reddish-brown rock sprinkled with colorful flowers was completely new and exciting to me. It was no less exciting today, and no less hot! The temperature was flirting close to 100 degrees, but it was so dry that my sweat would evaporate away before it could drip or dampen my hair. I gulped down four liters of water. I’d suggest taking along at least three liters, and/or a water purifier. There are several small streams along the way.
The trailhead for Ingalls Lake is two hours away. When I arrived, the parking area was full, but I didn’t see very many people on the trail. The trail to the lake climbs 2600 feet over 4.5 miles. It branches off in a few different directions, so I figured only a minority were planning to reach the lake. Camping is allowed in the valley beneath Ingalls Lake and Mt. Stuart, but no dogs are allowed.
This was my second hike to Ingalls Lake. My first time was a few years ago when I was still fairly new to hiking. It was my first Eastern Washington hike and I remember being blown away by it’s desert-like scenery. I was so accustomed to dark green forests and cool alpine lakes that the experience of dry, dusty trails and reddish-brown rock sprinkled with colorful flowers was completely new and exciting to me. It was no less exciting today, and no less hot! The temperature was flirting close to 100 degrees, but it was so dry that my sweat would evaporate away before it could drip or dampen my hair. I gulped down four liters of water. I’d suggest taking along at least three liters, and/or a water purifier. There are several small streams along the way.
