Great Scenery!

The trail starts by following an old jeep road for 0.5 mile before reaching the junction for Longs Pass and Ingalls Lake. Turn right and follow the trail, which is well marked as it climbs into open country through forest. The trail passes through meadows to another junction at 5,600 feet, where the route turns left and heads upward toward Ingalls Pass at 6,500 feet, a scant three miles from the trailhead. The trail to the right climbs a half mile to Longs Pass at 6,250 feet.

Enjoy the views of Mount Stuart, Mount Rainier and Mount Adams. You might make Ingalls Pass your destination, since it is an excellent place to stop for lunch or simply to look about.

The trail drops 300 feet from the pass and travels through a meadow with many good campsites (camping is not permitted at Ingalls Lake). A toilet and water is available in the campsite area.  Golden larches blaze in mid- to late September. The Ingalls Lake trail crosses a creek and climbs a rock scramble to a crest before dropping to the lake.

It is possible to scramble around the west (left) side of the lake on boulders. Hikers can continue on to Stuart Pass and access the Ingalls Creek trial.

Camping is possible in the meadows near Ingalls Creek. Strong hikers may consider a long one-way hike beginning from the Beverly Turnpike trail and following the Ingalls Creek trail to Stuart Pass. You'll need to leave another car at the Ingalls Lake trailhead for the one-way trip.