Lake Ann, Jack Creek, Fortune Creek-Van Epps & Longs Pass — Monday, Oct. 5, 2009

Set out intending to do the "Lake Ann - Ingalls Peak Loop" described in the Falcon guide "Backpacking Washington's Alpine Lakes Wilderness". Got off to a late start, so I camped just a few miles in, on the ridge above lake Ann. Found a great, wind-protected spot with amazing views. Headed down towards Jack Creek the next morning. Lost the trail briefly after descending from Van Epps Pass. The trail is supposed to take a sharp right turn, but neither the guide book nor my 1:100,000 "Alpine Lakes Wilderness Society" map were much help among the criss-cross of 4WD tracks in that area. The trail between that area and Jack Creek was somewhat overgrown and had a few muddy sections. After crossing Jack Creek (not a big deal, thanks to low water levels) I headed up to Stuart Pass. The trail passed through what appeared to be the bottom end of a recent forest fire. Further up, the trail had a light dusting of snow (with a lot of animal tracks, and no human footprints), but was still clear enough to follow. Upon reaching the pass, I was unable to locate the trail leading to Ingalls Lake: All I found was a faint trail just below the ridge, with only goat tracks, and which I stopped following when it appeared to be getting too scrambly. So instead I went down the valley a bit and then over Longs Pass. The Longs Pass trail was easy to find (i.e. there is a sign). Ingalls Creek barely had any water, and was therefore easy to cross. Lots of blowdowns in the lower half of this trail. The trail was a bit faint at times, but nevertheless easy to follow as (after some initial meandering) it went straight up. The very top part was almost a scramble. Arrived back at the trailhead while it was still daylight (and before someone sent SAR looking for me)... Didn't meet a single person on the trail (though my car wasn't the only one in the parking lot).

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