This hike is the most popular in the fall when the larches are at their peak. This also means you will encounter chaotic parking and a lot of people on the trail. We managed to arrive a couple days late for peak larches, but we had the trail and the lake almost to ourselves. With the colors still making it feel like fall, we thoroughly enjoyed this moderately challenging trail.

Hike to Lake Ingalls

I fell in love with this trail. While it may not be the best hike in the United States, or the most beautiful alpine lake. There was something about it that made me so relaxed. I enjoyed the entire hike.

Miles: 9
Elevation Gain: 2,843′
Parking Lot: Small parking lot at the Esmeralda Basin Trail
Difficulty: Moderate
Dogs: NOT Allowed

This trail is immediately inviting. As you walk past the trailhead sign you step right into the forest. You don’t have to go far for your first turn. At .25 miles. you will reach this sign. To start the climb to the lake take a right.

The climb is moderate, with multiple breath taking views and places for a break to take it all in.

At around 3.33 miles, you reach Alpine Lakes Wilderness. This is also where the famous Enchantments are near Leavenworth. It gets even more beautiful from here. You have a choice right here. Go left for a more gradual down hill, but a little longer or a steeper downhill, but shorter trail (called ALT). They are both beautiful during the fall larches, so you don’t miss anything either way.

But take a moment to take in the landscape before you decide.

We decided to take the more gradual decline to start. There are a few signs that say bathroom along the way, so Kevin went to investigate, but there wasn’t anything there and he didn’t want to do too much searching! This is where we got the last of the larch colors. You hike down to this area, before you start your hike up to the lake.

You will start hiking up and you come to a small stream, that actually is a waterfall off the side of the cliff. Take a careful look down as it flows along the rocks. It almost felt like a spot in Arizona.

You rock scramble the last half mile and then you reach the lake. It was incredible! It was still a bit odd with the red and yellow rocks along the alpine lake with a mountain backdrop. We usually don’t see the red rocks this high up! The rock slabs made for a perfect spot for a snack while relaxing.

On your way back, you may remember that you have a choice to take a different way back. We took the ALT route which was a beautiful walk through the larches and the shorter steep climb back to the Wilderness sign. It was steep but it didn’t take that long and so we were happy that we did it so we could see both trails! Like I said earlier, I absolutely loved this trail. I highly suggest it for anyone. For beginners it may be challenging but during the fall, feed off the beautiful colors and the camaraderie of other hikers.

Always remember to Leave No Trace!

Where will we hike next?

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