For our first backpacking trip of the season (i.e., a check-that-all-your-systems-are-in-Go-position trip) we spent a couple nights at Ipsut campground. There are a variety of fantastic day hikes from there, but we opted for what we suspected would be reachable in early July: Mowich Lake via Ipsut Pass. First, I'll give the basics, then the frilly details.
The flat five-mile hike to the CG was obstacle-free and the CG was pretty quiet as of yet (mid-week and early in the season). Numerous sites were unoccupied, though some are much nicer than others. It appears that Park rangers are still in the process of clearing and re-designating campsites, as a number of winter blowdowns rendered several sites unusable. The ones nearest the river are the nicest--get there early in the day to snag one (you need a reservation). When we checked in for our reservation, the ranger advised us to get our water from Ipsut Creek rather than the Carbon River, because of the silt--to preserve our water filter. So, plan on taking the .25 mile walk to Ipsut Falls, past the CG, to fetch water. The water is lovely there!
Our 11-mile RT hike the next day was up Ipsut Pass and on to Lake Mowich. The trail up the pass is clear--no blowdowns! No snow! There are several areas right as you leave the forest and enter the open valley (where the heart of the ascent to the pass begins) where streams are running down the trail, but you can easily rock hop. My feet stayed dry. The trail as a whole is a steady climb, and you'll need to watch your footing--lots of roots and rocks. I found the way down tougher, actually, especially along the open part--dry dirt and scree makes for slippery going. Bring poles, unless you belong to the Elastic Knee Club. The trail between the pass and the lake has several blowdowns at this writing, though all are easily step-overable. At the lake, there is intermittent snow that's still several feet deep. We just hoofed it up to the road once we got near the lake and walked the rest of the way. The CG is clear and dry, the outhouses practically places of worship compared to the infernal shacks down at Ipsut CG. (Although, to be fair, Mowich is more difficult for the crowds to access for year-round).
Details: Ipsut Pass has an INCREDIBLE variety of wildflowers, and they seem at their height right now. I felt as if I saw half the plants and flowers featured in my wildflower book! Among the ones I saw were columbine, Columbia lily, glacier lilies, larkspur, lupine, vanillaleaf, cow parsnip, goatsbeard, bear grass, little yellow violets, Queen's cup, bunch berry, salmon berry, ocean spray, harsh paintbrush, phlox, bleeding hearts, penstemon, western false bugbane, and MORE!
Wildlife: on the Carbon River trail to the CG and in the CG itself, we saw a number of deer, including a beautiful young fawn. I think there is little so lovely as the bouncy youth of a young, fragile fawn.
Happy hiking, Everyone!
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