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Ingalls Creek Overnight

Aug 1

Sat 8:00 AM

Location: This location is shown only to members

Estimated attendance: 5 people attended.
5.004
Who organized?
Carl

Roundtrip 12.0 miles
Elevation Gain 1200 ft
Highest Point 3200 ft

Located North of Blewett Pass and South of Leavenworth in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Ingalls Creek is often awash in sunshine when other places in the Cascades are not. It's famed for early wildflowers and a gradual ascent at a relatively low elevation, making it a perfect early-season backpack.

It's typically the month of June that showcases wildflowers as the star attraction, lining the trail for the first five miles. Not to be outdone, Ingalls Creek itself is a constant companion, roaring with snowmelt in early summer.

There is a possible creek crossing so bring water shoes! Attendance is limited to 8 due the the unknown nature and size of the campsites along the way (there are several).

The trail to Falls Creek Camp (6 miles in - where we will be camping) is a gentle ascent, giving you ample opportunity to inspect the flowers: trillium, balsamroot, lupine, tiger lily, glacier lily, paintbrush, and even calypso orchids. If a particular flower is past its prime at the trailhead, chances are it will be in bloom up the trail a bit - just keep climbing gently. And don't forget to look up - there are lots of peak-a-boo views of the Stuart Range along here, too.

Directions:

On Hwy 2 just east of Leavenworth, turn south on Hwy 97 for aprox 7.5 miles. Turn right on Ingalls Creek Road and go one mile to the trailhead at road's end. Northwest Forest Pass required. (1 per vehicle) Find a NWFP vendor near you. They are $30 for an annual pass.

**PLEASE NOTE** As always, the meeting place will be the EAST side of the P&R at 8AM sharp. Please be ready to switch vehicles and be on the road by 8:15AM. I will be coming from the Eastern side of the state (Moses Lake) so I will not be able to meet you at the P&R. I need someone to oversee the gathering there and the drive to the trailhead. Please e-mail me and let me know if you would like to do this for me. Greatly appriciated. Aprox arrival time at the trailhead will be 10:15 AM. We will be trail-bound by no later than 10:45AM.

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Talk about this Meetup

Posted Jul 28, 2009 5:54 PM

Carl

Assistant Organizer

Ben, I would appriciate that. Thank you. I will be meeting everyone at the trailhead then. I am hoping now that Lawrence, Tatiana, and Giselle have made arrangements to carpool. If not, you need to contact each other as soon as possible. See you all on Saturday! Looking forward to seeing those "bear wrestling skills" of yours Ben! LOL
Posted Jul 28, 2009 2:31 PM

Ben Johns

Carl, it looks like Kathleen, Caryl, Cesar and I are linking up to carpool. If you need some one to be the point person to driving to the trailhead, I volunteer. I am looking forward to the trip. I'm used to knowing the people I camp with beforehand, so to me that's part off the adventure. Instead of bear spray, I am bringing my bear wrestling skills.
Posted Jul 28, 2009 1:04 PM

Carl

Assistant Organizer

Gunther, the trail and the size of the campsites are unknown at this time, thus limiting the number of participants. If another organizer chooses to schedule another Meetup on another weekend I would keep my eyes out for that. Most meetup groups are 8 - 12 people in size, regardless of the size of the waiting list. If there are enough, another organizer may choose to make another Meetup for another weekend.
Posted Jul 27, 2009 3:56 PM

carylb

I'm looking forward to this trip, it will be my first backpacking trip since moving to Seattle! Where is the P&R lot? And if I park there can I carpool to the trail head with someone?
Posted Jul 27, 2009 3:36 PM

Kathleen

Thanks, Carl - I checked your list & it is very helpful. I would be for meeting up at the park & ride and arranging carpools to minimize the number of vehicles. I can take up to 3 people as a driver; also ok with being the passenger. Either way, I can contribute a forest pass, if needed.
Posted Jul 26, 2009 4:18 PM

Carl

Assistant Organizer

If you look at the list that I have provided on the forums for the PCT hike, you pretty much need everything there. I am also highly recommending the bear-bagging supplies and bear spray and I will be instructing everyone on how to use both. Please do not let this alarm you, as it is only a precaution. I learned from Bill B. (an ex-Organizer) that you should carry bear spray w/ you everywhere. Extra ammenities are nice but you do have to keep in mind the total weight of your pack.
Posted Jul 26, 2009 1:56 PM

Carl

Assistant Organizer

If you like, I can meet you all at the P&R. I can bring my NW Forest Pass so that it may be used in another vehicle that carries more than 2 people (I have a small pickup truck). This way, we can all go in 2-3 vehicles rother than 5-8. Let me know.
Posted Jul 25, 2009 5:20 PM

Kathleen

I would like to carpool as well - either with Rosemary, if she still has room, or I can drive if there are still people needing a carpool (I'm coming from Redmond). I do have a forest pass.
Posted Jul 15, 2009 11:20 AM

Carl

Assistant Organizer

César and Lawrence, Contact Rosemary. She said she had room for a couple more.
Posted Jul 15, 2009 9:20 AM

Lawrence Love

i could use a ride...anyone have space?:)

Who attended?

5 attendees
- Ben Johns
  
  “ This hike of roughly five miles was not particularly rigorous, and yet we were definitely in the elements. The nearness of the creek and the serenity of being right next to it were the highlights. All of the people on the trip were a joy to be around. ”
- Carl
  
  “ Great hike w/ a great bunch of people. Any of them are welcome on any trip I organize! Thanks for the good time all! ”
- César
- carylb
- Kathleen