Enchantments WA
June 25, 2023
We are the Mountain Goats and today we through-hiked the Enchantments. To get an early start we car-camped at the Colchuck Lake trailhead.
We started hiking around 4 am and the trail to Colchuck Lake went smoothly. We got to the far side of the lake in just over 2 hours—the views of Dragontail and Cashmere were absolutely stunning with the sun rising. Aasgard Pass is completely snow free, except on a quick traverse. However, the snow will melt out by next weekend, and we navigated this part easily. As usual, stay left of Tree Island, and don't take the right cutoff to Dragontail. It took us just over 2 hours to reach Aasgard Pass.
Colchuck Lake with Dragontail being the stunning backdrop
The only snow section on Asgard Pass
The core was stunning with the snow layer covering the ground and the nearby peaks. I'd say 1/2 of the trail was on snow, but the footpath through the snow was so heavy it was impossible to miss it. I packed Micro-Spikes and my Axe but didn't use both as only poles are necessary. The only route-finding issue we had was around Inspiration Lake. Gaia shows 2 trails but take the one beside Inspiration Lake. Overall, we stayed around 3 1/2 hours in the core, moving leisurely.
Looking towards Little Annapurna
The core in the Spring is just stunning
Half frozen lake
The colors
Lake Viviane
The trail from Lake Viviane to Snow Lakes was uneventful except for almost running into a mountain goat. The descent is steep (you drop 1,400' in a mile), but it isn't nearly as difficult as Aasgard. The dam between Upper and Lower Snow Lakes is overflowing so water rushes over the trail. Expect to get wet, as there's no way around walking through the rushing water. The trail from this point on is straightforward as you take it down to Nada Lake and then begin the mind-numbingly long descent to the trailhead. Once at the trailhead, we hitch hiked back to the Colchuck Lake trailhead and called it a day.
Bro was not playing
Dam between upper and lower snow lakes.
Hitchhiking Back!
Even though the snow conditions are tame, it is worth noting that this is still an almost 20-mile hike, so plan and prepare accordingly. Happy Hiking.
Final Stats: 19.1 Miles- 4,500' Elev Gain- 12:30 Car to Car
