Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area (Ingalls Creek)

[Miles]

How is the mule deer hunting up there?  I found a little information on some trails and access and was just wondering if anyone has hunted it or used these access points.

Ingalls Creek:

"A long backpack up Ingalls Creek to Stuart Pass. Ingalls Creek Trail is one of the longest and loneliest trails in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Few hikers complete the entire trail. Early season hikers go 5 or 6 miles before they are turned back by snow. Late season hikers usually bypass the first dozen miles of the trail, favoring a shortcut into the upper canyon via Beverly-Turnpike or Ingalls Way Trails, which allow quicker access to the “best” part of the hike. But the lower portion of the trail, though lacking in sublime views, has its own rewards. Wildflowers are everywhere along the trail in early season; fall colors are spectacular. Throw in a few waterfalls and some impressive mountain views, and you have a hike that deserves your attention."

Is it crowded during hunting season?

[Ray]

The trail is good but has little water after the first mile. Until you cross over one of the passes. The area has deer. I have not hunted it but have climbed and hiked in there a lot. I'd probably hunt east of Ingalls Lake about two miles on the south slopes of Mount Stuart and Sherpa Peak. Which means I'd probably head over Long's Pass and camp along the creek below somewhere. There will be others for sure. Others meaning hunters, and hikers. But most of the hikers go to Ingalls Lake and back and most often do not go to the area I described during the rifle hunting seasons. However you may see more people in September.

[Miles]

Thanks Ray, I'll take a peek at those spots on Google earth.

[Miles]

It looks like a good bowl just east of Ingalls Lake.  Have you spent much time in that location?

[HighCountryHunter88]

Ive been looking into that area also, Ive done alotof exploring to the west but never into that drainage

[Miles]

There are a couple deer there at least. 

Some cool pictures of the area as well:  http://www.nwhikers.net/forums/viewtopic.php?p=657599

[Deep Forks]

PM sent...

[muleracks2]

We watched a cougar try to take down a 4x4 buck up Ingalls one autumn.  We used to go up there when the Alpine GMU 249 was a combination buck/elk hunt for modern firearms.  Brian V. helped us pack hunters.  Here he is with a buck that a drop camp hunter took.  Some of us have seen that buck at the Sportsman's shows in Brian's booth; Sawtooth Outfitters from Pateros.
Sorry about the resolution but you can get the idea; think it scored over 200pts (it is in "The Book")

[MtnMuley]

Expect very few deer and some thick rugged country. Cross your fingers,as it be your turn.

[briancorneal]

I always thought I'd hunt in the alpine lakes wilderness, but never thought the risk would be worth the reward, but if that buck posted by muleracks2 is a possibility, I might have to change me train of thought.

[pope]

The Mt. Stuart area is a favorite among mountaineers. It is true that few hikers use the Ingalls Creek trail to access Ingalls Lake. Most of the Ingalls Lake hiking traffic comes out of Ezmerelda Basin, directly to the lake and back. Most of the humans you will encounter are climbers from the south-east side of Mt. Stuart. Virtually everybody climbing the south side routes, the west ridge and even some of the traffic on the tremendously popular north ridge climb will descend the S.E. side of Stuart, down what's commonly called the Cascadian Couloir, which is the gully on the far right side of this photo of the S. side of Mt. Stuart:




Sometimes they get lost in the brush, trying to find the trail up to Long's Pass. And they don't wear orange. By the end of modern rifle general season, snow flies on Stuart and climbing traffic decreases dramatically. But in mid-October, there will likely be climbers in that drainage on the weekends.

[Rhinoron247]

Rugged and lonely would sum up that trail and hunt.  Have ridden my horse in on the Ingalls Creek trail and have also come over via Beverly.  Have seen plenty of deer in there, but I wouldn't make the trip without well dialed in stock and be ready for anything.  It's gonna be a very short window of time to be in there this year.

If your hunting it out of a back pack your in for a great adventure.

[stormin85]

i hunted alpine during early archery last year for elk, we did see some deer, none legal within range, however the whole area is awesome and as stated, the whole thing is an adventure, i will go back for the early season every year from now on, but my biggest lesson i learned is scout scout scout, it is super easy to get turned around up there especially when your on deer or elk, there are people up there but there is so much area to hunt in the four days i was there we only saw other hunters when hiking in and out, when we were hunting there was nobody.

the other tip is plan, and pack well (if your going in on foot) cut down as much weight as possible while still bringing enough equipment for anything, literally, the weather was nuts, but it only added to the "adventure".

there are some really good meadows and fields, and the terrain is anywhere from easy to pretty crazy and constantly changing.

good luck and if your looking for someone to make a run up there let me know, i only have two buddies that will go with me, one lives in spokane so he doesn't make the drive the other works in Alaska so i plan on running up there a couple times this summer if i can convince someone else to make the trip!!!

[pope]

Here's a link to a very recent climbing report up the snow gully I mentioned above. The first photo gives a good idea of the snow melt in the Ingalls Creek drainage. Looks like you could start scouting any time. I recommend you save yourself hours of flat hiking and go in over Long's Pass instead of starting from Hwy 97.

http://cascadeclimbers.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/1024257/Re_TR_Mt_Stuart_Cascadian_Coul#Post1024257

[stormin85]

awesome, thanks for the link bud, i might try and head up soon as well.

[timruger1]

I am considering packing in there for the early high buck hunt and maybe the early archery elk. I have all of the needed equipment as well as two mules and a horse. As of now I have no one to come with so if anyone is interested please contact me.

Also looking at packing in for bear aug 13 if someone wants to go. Looking at an area near packwood but i have never been in there. I have heard that its a steep nasty trail so be warned