Esmeralda Trailhead
Also known as the Lake Ingalls Trailhead, this trailhead provides access to Esmeralda Basin Trail #1394 and Ingalls Way Trail #1390 which enters the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Trailhead also accesses Longs Pass Trail #1229.
Plan for this trailhead to be busy, as it's popular and one of the main access points to climb Mt. Stuart.
General Information
- Dogs prohibited on Ingalls Way and Longs Pass trails.
- Wilderness permits are required: the self-issuing permits are free and are available at trailheads.
- Wilderness regulations apply within Alpine Lakes Wilderness.
Day Use:
$5 per vehicle per day
$30 per annual
Payment options: Recreation Pass or Scan & Pay*
*Suggestion: Download the recreation.gov app before your trip to have the ability to Scan & Pay on-site, even without service.
Recreation passes honored: Digital Day Pass, Northwest Forest Pass, and Interagency Recreation Passes.
Dogs are not allowed at Lake Ingalls. Canine friends are allowed on the trail to Esmeralda Basin, which shares the first 0.4 miles with the trail to Lake Ingalls. However, from the junction of the Esmeralda Basin trail and the Ingalls Way trail, dogs are no longer allowed. This includes Ingalls Way, Ingalls Pass, and Longs Pass.
Getting There
Latitude / Longitude
Latitude: 47.4367
Longitude: -120.9369
Elevation
4,269 feet
Directions
From Cle Elum, follow Highway 970 east and north approximately 8.5 miles and turn left on Teanaway Road North Fork and follow for 13 miles. Then veer right on Forest Road 9737 and follow for about 9.6 miles to the Esmeralda trailhead.
Parking
Limited parking. Maintain access for emergency vehicles. Be prepared to walk longer distances to the trailhead.
If the trailhead is full, park ONLY on the west side of the road to allow safe traffic flow.
Facility and Amenity Information
Restrooms
Restrooms are available at this site.
Water
Potable water is not available at this site.
