Gorgeous Wildflower Hikes for Seattle-Area Families
Photo:
Kids with their packs along the Ingalls Creek trail. Photo: Jennifer Johnson
Ingalls Creek, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
Nestled in a valley alongside wild and roaring Ingalls Creek, this trail travels away from Blewett Pass and Highway 97 and into the wilderness. You’ll walk through glens of wildflowers among the ponderosa pines. Purple lupines and sunny yellow balsamroot pair with red and orange Indian paintbrush, as well as less common flowers. This trail has some sections that climb away from the creek, but it never strays too far.
You can find camps and open areas to rest approximately every half-mile, though don’t count on spots to play in the water, as this creek is rushing and dangerous during snowmelt. If you can make it 3–4 miles in, there is a spot below a talus slope where cold air seeps out, providing natural air conditioning. Otherwise, wander as far as you like, and then turn around and head back to the trailhead.
Hike info: Mileage as desired (14.4 miles one-way), mild elevation change
Kids will love: My kids love being close to a wild river in the wilderness.
Parents should know: This trail gets very hot on summer days, and there are some exposed sections with lots of sun. Rattlesnakes can be found in the first mile or two. There is an outhouse at the trailhead. This trail is ideal in early summer before it gets too hot on the eastern slopes of the Cascades. A Northwest Forest Pass or Interagency Pass is needed to park.
Next up: Hurricane Ridge
