Ingalls Creek, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Ingalls Creek trailhead

 

The last time we hiked at Ingalls Creek was in 2017.  To call it a creek is a misnomer, this is a river and at this time of year it is full, running fast, with white water rapids most of the length.  Located on the eastside of the mountains, it is about a 2 ½ hour drive from home for us.  That means an early start and a late arrival back home.  The Forest Service Pass is required.  There is an outhouse at the trailhead parking lot.  

 

There is also a sign-in and out ledger in a box by the trail sign.  We noticed some hikers did not sign in and out.  However, it should be mentioned that hikers as well as backpackers are supposed to sign the sheet so the rangers can tell if anyone might be lost or hurt.

 

Views from the trail

 

There are amazing, beautiful wildflowers along this trail, hence the effort to get there at what we hope is peak bloom.  The pleasant sound of rushing water and views of the river follow most of the trail.  Evidence of a fire from about 8 to 10 years ago is still obvious in the form of blackened trunks, downed trees, some with charcoal covered bark, and holes where the stumps of burned trees were completely burned out. 

 

 

 

Bob with one of many char blackened remains of a tree

A section of the trail with one of the two scree crossings.  The loose rocks make this somewhat dangerous for older hikers.  Trekking poles can help prevent falls.

 

One downed tree that needed a step over or around

 

Because this is on the east side of the mountains it is generally sunnier and hotter here than on the west side.  Ponderosa pines are the most common tree but it is a mixed forest with other conifers and deciduous trees as well.  With fewer trees to provide shade, due to the fire, we felt fortunate to be there on a mostly cloudy day with temperatures that did not get above 60 F.  

 

Nine bark

 

Fairy bells

Lemon weed

Prairie Star

 Orange and Yellow Indian Paintbrush

 Yellow paintbrush is found in only a few places.  This trail had paintbrush ranging from the yellow to deep red-orange. 

Meadow Rue

A strange looking flower that we do not often find.

Heartleaf Balsam Root

 

With their large leaves and showy flowers these were everywhere along the trail and beautiful.

Mertensia

 Most of the mertensia we see have a mix of pink and blue in the blossoms, these were all blue.

 

Currant

Death Camas

Baldhead Waterleaf

One of the more abundant flowers at this time of year on this particular trail.  They are low to the ground and medium sized.  Clusters of them made their lavender color pop out in amongst all the green.
 

Glacier Lily

There were thousands of glacier lilies that had finished blooming but still hundreds of them in shady, cool places.

Yellow Lomatium

Calypso Orchid

Chocolate Lomatium

Mourning Cloak Butterfly

 

We didn’t get quite as far as hoped for but did manage 5 RT and about 800 ft elevation gain.  During the worst of the COVID pandemic we did not get out hiking, so lack of conditioning may be part of the reason we are not meeting our goals.  A second factor, reluctantly admitted, is age.  Our goals are flexible.  We are thankful to be able get out and hike since we are now both in our 80s.  

 

Count for the day:  10 hikers, no dogs 

 

Not counted was the encounter with what the owner called a "Swedish Barkhound" and his two human companions.  A supposedly friendly dog, but very noisy, and I wasn't willing to take a chance on the friendly definition.  Usually we chat with people and wait to see if dogs are approachable then let the dog sniff and get used to us.  Bob described this one as overly aggressive and not restrained.  There was no way was I going to extend a hand toward that dog.  These we did not count because we saw them at the trailhead after finishing our hike.