Enchantments

Sunday, September 28, 2014

The Enchantments are a super popular destination in Washington’s Alpine Lakes Wilderness.  So popular, overnight permits are issued by lottery.  The loophole is to simply day-hike the 18 mile trail with 6000’+ gain.  With a group of 2011 PCT alum, this is easily doable.

Wired climbing Aasgard Pass from Colchuck Lake
Wired climbing Aasgard Pass from Colchuck Lake
Junior Ranger Marmot loves the larch!
Junior Ranger Marmot loves the larch!
Dragontail Peak
Dragontail Peak
Gabriel and Marmot ascending Aasgard Pass
Gabriel and Marmot ascending Aasgard Pass
Happy Marmot at Isolation Lake
Happy Marmot at Isolation Lake
Gabriel in the Enchanment Lakes basin
Gabriel in the Enchanment Lakes basin
Goats and Prusik Peak
Goats and Prusik Peak
Goats!!!
Goats!!!
Wired, Marmot, Daybreaker, Gabriel, Drop-N-Roll
Wired, Marmot, Daybreaker, Gabriel, Drop-N-Roll

 

But of course, we don’t stop there. Some of us choose to add in another couple miles and ~1600′ off trail to bag McClellan Peak while we’re there.

off trail to McClellan Peak
off trail to McClellan Peak
Choosing our route
Choosing our route
Praying Mantis at 8000'?
Praying Mantis at 8000′?
Snow Lakes and McClellan Peak
Snow Lakes and McClellan Peak
Leprechaun Lake
Leprechaun Lake
Prusik Peak and Leprechaun Lake
Prusik Peak and Leprechaun Lake

 

The larch are turning. Days are growing shorter. Fall is here. Start and finish by headlamp. Seahorse and Chilidog are waiting for us with hot cocoa and cinnamon rolls at the finish trailhead.  Too tired to drive home that night, we crash on their floor in Leavenworth.

Chilidog and Seahorse are a welcome sight!
Chilidog and Seahorse are a welcome sight!

 

Day-hike, indeed.
http://caltopo.com/map?id=183S

 Click here to print maps of this route, or customize it for your own trip!

3 Comments to “Enchantments”

  1. Warren

    Day hike indeed! Ya, I’d say so. Great going, and cool to see Erin “Wired” along with you. Excellent and motivating blog entry. -Someday I may just yet do an 18-mile day hike!

  2. Forest Dweller

    Hey D n R,
    Followed you on the CDT and found you again here but have had no luck in subscribing. Never get a confirmation….
    Help

    1. dropnroll Author

      Sorry to hear you’re having troubles! I just tried subscribing with one of my other email accounts and it worked for me. Have you checked your spam folder?

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