One of my favorite hikes in Washington happens to be Lake Ingalls. After hiking to Lake Ingalls during peak larch season, this hike is forever imprinted on my brain as the most breathtaking, spectacular, and fun hike in the Pacific Northwest. 

Located in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness which is known for gorgeous hiking, inspiring peaks, and glacier blue lakes, Lake Ingalls is the poster child for the area. 

In this blog post, I will walk you through how to access the trailhead, best times of year for hiking to Lake Ingalls, tips on hiking Lake Ingalls, and of course if Lake Ingalls should be considered a 100 Classic Hike of Washington. 

Just a heads-up! This post contains affiliate links, meaning I could earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. 

Lake Ingalls Trail Guide a Favorite Fall Hike

Lake Ingalls in Snoqualmie Pass a 100 Classic Hike of Washington

Lake Ingalls is one of the most popular destinations for viewing the popular alpine larches in early October. Just east of Cle Elum, in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, the Ingalls Creek Valley turns golden as the alpine larches prepare to drop their needles. 

The brilliant blue of Lake Ingalls is the foreground for Emerald Peak, which is stunning in the crisp fall air. 

If you’re not already convinced to add this trail to your Washington Bucket List, the views of Ingalls Peaks, Mount Rainier, and Mt. Stuart also make appearances on clear days that only add to the grandeur of the trail.

So pack your favorite hiking backpacking, lace up your boots, and hit the trail!

General Lake Ingalls Trail Information

Here is some general information you should know before you get to the trailhead. This is a phenomenal day hike, but if you do plan on completing it in the fall for larch season, you’ll want to be extra prepared. 

Exploren Borgen hiking Lake Ingalls a 100 Classic Hike of Washington

Trail Stats

Region: Snoqualmie Pass/Cle Elum

Distance: 8.4 miles

Level: Challenging

Elevation Gain: 3,000 feet Elevation Gain

Time: 5+ hours

When to go: June – Oct. 

Pass/Permit: Northwest Forest Pass

Dogs Allowed?: No 

Trail Locations

Lake Ingalls is located on the ancestral lands of the Cayuse, Umatilla, Walla Walla, Wenatchee, Yakama, and Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation. We are grateful for the stewards of this land past and present. We are honored to be and recognize that we are guests on this land.

How to Access Lake Ingalls

Accessing the trailhead is relatively straightforward but if I can give you any advice, it would be to keep your GPS on until you get to the trailhead. 

There are a number of forest roads that split off along the way, making it extremely easy to go the wrong direction and deep into the wilderness, it is unlikely you’ll get service after a wrong turn is made.

Getting to the Trailhead

Most of the drive will be along I-90 until reaching Exit 85, at least if you’re coming from Seattle. Once exited you’ll turn right onto Highway 970 and follow the road for 7 miles before reaching Teanaway Road. Turn left. 

The road will become North Fork Teanaway Road. Follow for another 6.0 miles. The road will eventually turn into an unpaved road which is easy to manage with any car. This is where it gets tricky. 

Take the fork towards Forest Road 9737 and stay to the left until reaching the fork with the sign for “Trail 1394”. After another 2.0 miles you’ll reach the trailhead. 

This trailhead gets especially busy during fall when the larches are a vibrant yellow. If the parking is full (which it will be by 6am), park on the west side of the road. There will be signs!

Trailhead Facilities

Lake Ingalls Trailhead

The trailhead has a single pit toilet, garbage can and a couple picnic benches along the river!

The parking lot is small, but the road leading into the parking lot is long. Many people will be parked along the road. It gets extremely busy in October. 

The parking lot is shared between: 

Passes/Permits

Before leaving your car at the trailhead, be sure to put your Northwest Forest Service pass on the windshield. The Northwest Forest Pass allows recreation in all Washington and Oregon National Forests. 

An America the Beautiful Pass also works for Northwest Forest Passes are accepted. If you’re a frequent National Park visitor, an America the Beautiful Pass is for you!

Season to Visit Lake Ingalls

As previously mentioned, Lake Ingalls is a popular hike to do during the Larch Season which occurs in October. This is the time when the trailhead will be busiest as people from all over try to capture the beauty of the larches.

Summer through fall is a great time to hike the Lake Ingalls trail. Expect to find snow lingering on the route well into the summer due to the higher elevation of the trail. 

Lake Ingalls in the Fall
Lake Ingalls in the Fall
Lake Ingalls in Summer
Lake Ingalls in Summer

It is only recommended to complete this hike during the summer and fall months. While road access is a huge contributor to the accessibility of this trail, snow along this trail becomes a huge risk with various Avalanche Shoots and landslide areas along the route.

Always check weather conditions prior to hiking this trail. At such high elevations, weather can change quickly and dramatically. 

Related Read: Larches in Washington Guide

Hiking to Lake Ingalls

There are a couple distinct sections of the trail, Teanaway Valley, Ingalls Pass, Alpine Section, and Boulder to Lake. For the entirety of the trail, you’ll be blown away by the beauty of the area.

The trail begins allow the teanaway river with spectacular mountain views. As one of the most popular destinations for fall colors, consider getting an early start on the weekends. In the summer, the valley is covered in a host of wildflowers amongst the lush alpine meadows. 

Whenever you decide to hike to this stunning blue like, I’m sure you’ll consider it one of the best hikes in Washington. 

Lake Ingalls Trail in the Summer

Teanaway Valley

The Teanaway Valley is a magical section of trail following Teanaway Creek until the fork for Ingalls Way and Esmeralda Basin (Another 100 Classic Hike of Washington).  The junction of the esmeralda basin trail and Ingalls way is almost immediate, you will be taking the right fork to Ingalls Way. You slowly become encased with beautiful wildflowers and pine.

Beginning of Lake Ingalls Trail

This section contains most of the switchbacks of the trail. At a relatively shallow grade the gradual accent to Ingalls Pass feels like a breeze. The woods open up to beautiful grassy meadows where the trail splits between Longs Pass and Ingalls Peak. Continue left where the trail becomes rockier and views of the surrounding mountains begin to peak over the valley.

Ingalls Pass

The route to Ingalls Pass is a breathtaking section of trail. Hugging the mountain, the trail winds along the mountain. This does make it tricky to navigate with large groups of people since the trail is so narrow. 

After a short distance on the trail, you’ll see the outline of Mount Rainier in the backdrop.

Exploren Borgen hiking to Ingalls Pass on the Lake Ingalls Trail

Continue the climb and you’ll eventually see the pass you’re climbing to! There are a number of rocky sections but the trail is still relatively flat and easy to navigate. Eventually reaching the pass you’re standing on the ridgeline of the mountain. Views of the Esmeralda Peaks to your back and Mount Stuart in front.

Not sure what to bring hiking? Read Here Next: 10 Hiking Essentials

There are two trail options to get to Lake Ingalls from Ingalls Pass: Headlight Basin to the right or the Alpine Basin section to the left. If you are planning on backpacking, you’ll need to set up your camp in the Headlights Basin since camping is not allowed at the lake. The headlights basin is considered an alternate route up to Lake Ingalls.

Alpine Basin Route

The route to the left is a more direct route to the lake with much less elevation loss and gain. If you are navigating with AllTrails, you will be taken through Headlight Basin. You can still see the  Alpine Basin Route on the app, it just isn’t the default option.

This Alpine Basin Route is easy to follow with many offshoots of the main trail to take in the grandeur of the valley. Along this section of trail we were greeted by three mountain goats enjoying some salt licks on the rocks.

Ingalls Pass on the way to Ingalls Lake in Snoqualmie Pass
Mountain Goats on the way to Lake Ingalls

There are a number of stream crossings where people were filling their water bottles. I would highly suggest filtering water even if the water is coming from such a high altitude. I’ve been enjoying my filtering water bottle, HydraPak Flux+, on hikes so if I am running low on water I can refill it and not have to worry about any unwanted toxins. 

This section is relatively flat, until you come to the boulder field.

Boulder to Lake Ingalls

The last 0.5mile to the lake, which is where the trail from Headlight Basin meets back up with the route, is a large boulder field section. The climb will likely require you to use both your hands and feet to complete the almost vertical climb to the lake. While the large boulders are relatively easy to navigate, it is a steep slope and you need to be in good condition. 

Cairns mark the way to get to Lake Ingalls
Cairns Marking the Route to Lake Ingalls

There are a collection of cairns to mark the way, but it is relatively evident that most people choose a route of their own. Hiking through the last shoot, you’ll be blown away by the lake’s vibrant blue backdropped by Mount Stuart. 

Take the short climb back down to the lake and enjoy your time resting and enjoying the magnificent views.

Frequently Asked Questions

Refreshing Lake Ingalls with Mount Stuart in the background
View of the far side of the lake

How long is the hike up Lake Ingalls?

Lake Ingalls is a little under 9.0 miles with 2,600 feet of elevation gain. Anticipate it taking about five hours to complete the trail in the fall when it is busy with outdoor enthusiasts during the larch season. 

On weekdays, it might take less time to complete the trail when it is less busy. 

Do you need a permit for Lake Ingalls?

You do not need a permit to hike Lake Ingalls. You do need a Northwest Forest Pass to park at the trailhead. You can purchase a Northwest Forest Pass here! 

Can you camp at Lake Ingalls?

You can camp in the beautiful headlight basin which is the lower route to Lake Ingalls. Camping is not permitted at Lake Ingalls, but it is allowed along the route. 

Additionally, there are plenty of car camping locations along Teanaway Forest Service Road. In early-October, car camping is ideal the night before your day hike so you can get an early start. When I hiked this trail last larch season, the parking lot was full by 4:30am. You won’t have to worry about this in the summer months. 

Where is Lake Ingalls Located?

Lake Ingalls is located east of Cle Elum in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. 

Are dogs allowed on the Lake Ingalls Trail?

No, dogs are not allowed on the ingalls way trail. However, your canine friends are allowed on the Esmeralda Basin Trail whose trail junction is half mile into the main trail. 

Should Lake Ingalls be a 100 Classic Hike of WA?

View past Ingalls Pass into the valley

I am hiking all “100 Classic Hikes of Washington”. But the question is, Should it be a 100 Classic Hike of Washington? 

Lake Ingalls should absolutely be a 100 Classic Hike of Washington. As one of the most popular Alpine Lake Wilderness trails, it is as well loved as it is beautiful. It is worth the hike in summer or fall, so if you don’t want to be one of 200 people there on any given larch day, the summer is just as beautiful. 

Let me know in the comments if YOU think Lake Ingalls should be a 100 Classic Hike of Washington! 

If you’d like to complete your own 100 Classic Hikes journey, you can purchase the book here.

Questions about the trail? Leave me a comment in the section below.

Happy Trails, Outdoor Bestie!
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