{"id":2221,"date":"2014-07-31T20:45:11","date_gmt":"2014-08-01T04:45:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/?p=2221"},"modified":"2026-09-12T20:13:49","modified_gmt":"2026-09-13T04:13:49","slug":"728-7312014-enchantments-backpack-trip","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/2014\/07\/728-7312014-enchantments-backpack-trip\/","title":{"rendered":"7\/28-7\/31\/2014 &#8211; Enchantments Backpack Trip"},"content":{"rendered":"<div><div class=\"rw-trip-info\"><table style=\"border:none;margin:0;padding:0;\"><tr><td class=\"rti-label\">Date<\/td><td class=\"rti-value\">7\/28-7\/31\/2014<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"rti-label\">Location \/ Trail<\/td><td class=\"rti-value\">Enchantments Backpack Trip<tr><td class=\"rti-label\">Weather<\/td><td class=\"rti-value\">Sunny and warm - blue skies all week!<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"rti-label\">Hiking Buddies<\/td><td class=\"rti-value\">Carly, Kirk, Emily and Sarah<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"rti-label\">Distance \/ Elev<\/td><td class=\"rti-value\">20 miles &nbsp;&nbsp; 5400 ft elevation<\/td><\/tr><\/table><\/div><div class=\"noPDF\" style=\"margin-left:30px; margin-top:20px; margin-bottom:10px;\"><a style=\"color: #ffffff; background-color: #2D6A2E; padding: 15px 30px; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; border-radius: 30px; background-image: linear-gradient(rgba(255,255,255,0.2), rgba(0,0,0,0.25)); display: inline-block; margin-right: 12px; margin-bottom: 8px;\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/photos\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">&#128247; Pictures<\/a><a style=\"color: #ffffff; background-color: #2D6A2E; padding: 15px 30px; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; border-radius: 30px; background-image: linear-gradient(rgba(255,255,255,0.2), rgba(0,0,0,0.25)); display: inline-block; margin-right: 12px; margin-bottom: 8px;\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/MapViewer.html?q=https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/hikemaps\/GPSTracks\/2014\/EnchantmentsBackpack-GPS-20140728-0731.gpx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">&#128506; Open Map Full Screen<\/a><\/div><div class=\"noPDF\"><div class=\"g4MapIframe\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/wp-content\/plugins\/rhd-functions\/map\/MapAndElevationProfile.html?q=2014\/EnchantmentsBackpack-GPS-20140728-0731.gpx&#038;p=2014\/Enchantments-Backpack&#038;sep=&#038;v=1793560828\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/wp-content\/plugins\/rhd-functions\/map\/MapAndElevationProfile.html?q=2014\/EnchantmentsBackpack-GPS-20140728-0731.gpx&#038;p=2014\/Enchantments-Backpack&#038;sep=&#038;v=1793560828\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/div><\/div><div class=\"rw-pad20 g4MapImage\"><br\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"g4MapImage\" src=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/mapImages\/g4map2221.png\" class=\"g4MapImage\" \/><\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"rwTRH\">Description of Hike: <\/div>\n<div class=\"rw-pad20\">\nAn epic backpacking trip if there ever was one.  It started with the lottery that you have to go through to get a permit to stay the night in the Enchantments (an area in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness of the Wenatchee National Forest).  It is so popular that they only allow a certain number of people to stay the night in the area.  They split the area up into 5 zones, with the core zone being the most desired spot.  4 of us entered the lottery, starting on Monday (highest chances of success) and out of 4, only one person won (Carly).<br \/>\nOnce we had our permit secured, we then needed to plan our adventure.  We were going to have two novice backpackers, and none of us are in outstanding shape, so we had to plan accordingly.  We wanted to plan short enough days that were realistic in order to make sure we were able to complete the loop.  The entire loop is about 18-19 miles, with LOTS of elevation gain and loss.  Actually, doing it counter-clockwise like we did we ended up losing more elevation than we gained (the hike was a shuttle with the starting trailhead about 2000&#8242; higher than the ending trailhead).<\/p>\n<p>The plan was this:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Day 1 &#8211; Stuart Creek trailhead to Colchuck lake &#8211; ~5 miles and > 2000&#8242; of elevation<\/li>\n<li>Day 2 &#8211; Colchuck Lake to Leprechaun lake &#8211; ~5 miles and 2200&#8242; of elevation (all of it in less than a mile &#8211; Aasgard pass)\/li>\n<li>Day 3 &#8211; Before packing up, backtrack to Prusik pass and out to Shield, Earle and Mesa Lakes, then pack up and head to Upper Snow Lake &#8211; ~6.5 miles and a loss of about 1500&#8242; of elevation\/li>\n<li>Day 4 &#8211; Upper Snow Lake to Snow Creek Trailhead &#8211; ~6.5 miles and a loss of about 4000&#8242; of elevation\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>We deviated slightly from our planned itinerary &#8211; we didn&#8217;t go all the way to Leprechaun Lake on Tuesday &#8211; we stopped just past Sprite Lake which seemed like a good place to camp.  We also didn&#8217;t go all the way down to Shield, Earle and Mesa lakes on Wednesday &#8211; we stopped at Prusik Pass and enjoyed the view.<\/p>\n<p>OK, on to the report.  We left home on Sunday afternoon, had our &#8220;last supper&#8221; in Leavenworth and camped near the trailhead at eightmile creek campground.  We got up on Tuesday morning and left my truck at the lower trailhead and then drove the van up to the upper trailhead to start our adventure.  We got to the trailhead about 9:00 and were on our way before 9:30am, heading up the Stuart Lake trailhead.<br \/>\n<a class=\"rhdg-photo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/photos\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack\/#p11310\" data-rhdg-post=\"2221\" data-rhdg-media=\"11310\"><img class=\"rhdg-photo rw-pad20 rwphoto\" src=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0136-medium.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0136-thumb.webp 400w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0136-medium.webp 1000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0136-large.webp 2000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0136-xlarge.webp 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" width=\"1000\" height=\"564\" style=\"max-height:672px;width:auto;height:auto\" alt=\"Stuart Lake Trailhead - getting ready for the big trip\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nWe headed up the well groomed trail through relatively small timber until we got to the first crossing of Mountaineer Creek:<br \/>\n<a class=\"rhdg-photo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/photos\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack\/#p11312\" data-rhdg-post=\"2221\" data-rhdg-media=\"11312\"><img class=\"rhdg-photo rw-pad20 rwphoto\" src=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0143-medium.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0143-thumb.webp 400w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0143-medium.webp 1000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0143-large.webp 2000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0143-xlarge.webp 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" width=\"1000\" height=\"564\" style=\"max-height:672px;width:auto;height:auto\" alt=\"Crossing Mountaineer Creek\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nWe continued on to our second crossing of Mountaineer Creek, which was quite different from the first:<br \/>\n<a class=\"rhdg-photo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/photos\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack\/#p11317\" data-rhdg-post=\"2221\" data-rhdg-media=\"11317\"><img class=\"rhdg-photo rw-pad20 rwphoto\" src=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0148-medium.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0148-thumb.webp 400w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0148-medium.webp 1000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0148-large.webp 2000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0148-xlarge.webp 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" width=\"1000\" height=\"564\" style=\"max-height:672px;width:auto;height:auto\" alt=\"Crossing Mountaineer Creek for the second time\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nWe got to the junction of the Snow Lakes trail, and headed up towards Colchuck Lake.  After a bit, we got our first glimpse of what was to come:<br \/>\n<a class=\"rhdg-photo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/photos\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack\/#p11322\" data-rhdg-post=\"2221\" data-rhdg-media=\"11322\"><img class=\"rhdg-photo rw-pad20 rwphoto\" src=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0158-medium.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0158-thumb.webp 400w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0158-medium.webp 1000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0158-large.webp 2000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0158-xlarge.webp 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" width=\"1000\" height=\"564\" style=\"max-height:672px;width:auto;height:auto\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nAfter climbing in the hot sun for what seemed like forever, we finally got our first view of Colchuck Lake, Dragontail Peak and Colchuck Peak:<br \/>\n<a class=\"rhdg-photo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/photos\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack\/#p11328\" data-rhdg-post=\"2221\" data-rhdg-media=\"11328\"><img class=\"rhdg-photo rw-pad20 rwphoto\" src=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0162-medium.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0162-thumb.webp 400w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0162-medium.webp 1000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0162-large.webp 2000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0162-xlarge.webp 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" width=\"1000\" height=\"564\" style=\"max-height:672px;width:auto;height:auto\" alt=\"First view of Colchuck Lake - Aasgard pass to the left and Dragontail Peak in the center\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nWe also got our first look at what would become rather annoying over the next couple of days &#8211; Mountain Goats:<br \/>\n<a class=\"rhdg-photo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/photos\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack\/#p11332\" data-rhdg-post=\"2221\" data-rhdg-media=\"11332\"><img class=\"rhdg-photo rw-pad20 rwphoto\" src=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0166-medium.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0166-thumb.webp 400w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0166-medium.webp 1000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0166-large.webp 2000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0166-xlarge.webp 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" width=\"1000\" height=\"564\" style=\"max-height:672px;width:auto;height:auto\" alt=\"Our first goat sighting\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nAlthough that one was the only one we saw at Colchuck Lake, they would be constant companions once we entered the upper lakes basin.  The weird part of them is that they crave salt, and want to lick up people&#8217;s pee to get the salt from it.  It is really kind of gross, but that is what they do.  They were not really aggressive, but they certainly were acclimated to humans and were not afraid of us.<br \/>\nWe proceeded around Colchuck Lake, looking for a good campsite for the night.  About halfway around, we found what we thought was a good place.  It had nice access to the lake (a big rock was just under the water which made for great wading), and enough space for our three tents.  It also allowed us to ponder our big challenge for the next day &#8211; Aasgard pass &#8211; 2200&#8242; of elevation gain in .7 miles:<br \/>\n<a class=\"rhdg-photo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/photos\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack\/#p11335\" data-rhdg-post=\"2221\" data-rhdg-media=\"11335\"><img class=\"rhdg-photo rw-pad20 rwphoto\" src=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0171-medium.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0171-thumb.webp 400w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0171-medium.webp 1000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0171-large.webp 2000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0171-xlarge.webp 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" width=\"1000\" height=\"564\" style=\"max-height:672px;width:auto;height:auto\" alt=\"Colchuck Peak\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nThere was supposed to be a trail up that face, but we couldn&#8217;t see anything visible.  It was going to be an interesting day on Tuesday.  While we were pondering our fate on Tuesday, Kirk decided to go for a refreshing swim in Colchuck Lake:<br \/>\n<a class=\"rhdg-photo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/photos\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack\/#p11336\" data-rhdg-post=\"2221\" data-rhdg-media=\"11336\"><img class=\"rhdg-photo rw-pad20 rwphoto\" src=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0172-medium.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0172-thumb.webp 400w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0172-medium.webp 1000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0172-large.webp 2000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0172-xlarge.webp 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" width=\"1000\" height=\"564\" style=\"max-height:672px;width:auto;height:auto\" alt=\"Kirk swimming in Colchuck lake\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nWe went to bed early with a plan to get an early start to try and beat the sun on the rocks up the pass.  We woke up at 5:30 and were hiking by 7:15.  We started around the lake and our first obstacle was the boulder field at the south end of the lake:<br \/>\n<a class=\"rhdg-photo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/photos\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack\/#p11342\" data-rhdg-post=\"2221\" data-rhdg-media=\"11342\"><img class=\"rhdg-photo rw-pad20 rwphoto\" src=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0175-medium.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0175-thumb.webp 400w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0175-medium.webp 1000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0175-large.webp 2000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0175-xlarge.webp 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" width=\"1000\" height=\"564\" style=\"max-height:672px;width:auto;height:auto\" alt=\"Navigating the first boulder field - those were BIG boulders!\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nWe worked our way through the boulder field(s), and finally got to the bottom of the ascent and started our journey up (it was even steeper than it looks):<br \/>\n<a class=\"rhdg-photo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/photos\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack\/#p11347\" data-rhdg-post=\"2221\" data-rhdg-media=\"11347\"><img class=\"rhdg-photo rw-pad20 rwphoto\" src=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0180-medium.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0180-thumb.webp 225w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0180-medium.webp 564w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0180-large.webp 1127w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0180-xlarge.webp 1691w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" width=\"564\" height=\"1000\" style=\"max-height:672px;width:auto;height:auto\" alt=\"And we start up Aasgard pass - it is as steep as it looks\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nWe continued our climb, which kept getting steeper and steeper, and the &#8220;trail&#8221; getting more difficult to follow.  They put rock cairns along the way, but it was still difficult to figure out where we were supposed to go.  We got up right beside Dragontail Peak, and it had a whole new look to it, although it was still very impressive:<br \/>\n<a class=\"rhdg-photo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/photos\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack\/#p11363\" data-rhdg-post=\"2221\" data-rhdg-media=\"11363\"><img class=\"rhdg-photo rw-pad20 rwphoto\" src=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2421-medium.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2421-thumb.webp 400w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2421-medium.webp 1000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2421-large.webp 2000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2421-xlarge.webp 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" style=\"max-height:672px;width:auto;height:auto\" alt=\"Dragontail peak - it looks even more impressive when you are right next to it\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nWe got up a little higher and ran into a marmot, looking for food &#8211; he didn&#8217;t seem too interested or bothered by us:<br \/>\n<a class=\"rhdg-photo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/photos\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack\/#p11368\" data-rhdg-post=\"2221\" data-rhdg-media=\"11368\"><img class=\"rhdg-photo rw-pad20 rwphoto\" src=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2425-medium.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2425-thumb.webp 400w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2425-medium.webp 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" width=\"1000\" height=\"860\" style=\"max-height:672px;width:auto;height:auto\" alt=\"Marmot we encountered part way up Aasgard pass - he wasn&#039;t too interested in us.  He was hungry and looking for food\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nWe kept climbing, and climbing and climbing until we finally reached the pass &#8211; one last look down at Colchuck Lake:<br \/>\n<a class=\"rhdg-photo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/photos\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack\/#p11380\" data-rhdg-post=\"2221\" data-rhdg-media=\"11380\"><img class=\"rhdg-photo rw-pad20 rwphoto\" src=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2437-medium.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2437-thumb.webp 300w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2437-medium.webp 750w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2437-large.webp 1500w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2437-xlarge.webp 2250w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" width=\"750\" height=\"1000\" style=\"max-height:672px;width:auto;height:auto\" alt=\"Last peek at Colchuck Lake from Aasgard pass - Canon mountain in the distance?\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nWe were now entering the upper lakes basin &#8211; the &#8220;good stuff&#8221;.  All the alpine lakes and really interesting areas &#8211; along with the Mountain Goats.<br \/>\n<a class=\"rhdg-photo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/photos\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack\/#p11392\" data-rhdg-post=\"2221\" data-rhdg-media=\"11392\"><img class=\"rhdg-photo rw-pad20 rwphoto\" src=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2446-medium.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2446-thumb.webp 400w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2446-medium.webp 1000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2446-large.webp 2000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2446-xlarge.webp 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" style=\"max-height:672px;width:auto;height:auto\" alt=\"I think that is isolation lake in the distance\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nKind of a mix of moonscape, snow fields, lakes and strangely stunted trees.  The scale of everything was way off.  The rocks and peaks were HUGE and just popped out of the ground while all the vegetation was really tiny.  Ground cover was sparse and short &#8211; trees &#8211; where there were any were gnarled and short.<\/p>\n<p>After successfully summitting Aasgard Pass, we decided it was time to take a break for lunch.  We were looking for some shady spot (it was getting really hot in the sun) and ended up stopping at Tranquil Lake, taking shade against some rocks.  It wasn&#8217;t much shade, but it was the best we could find.<br \/>\n<a class=\"rhdg-photo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/photos\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack\/#p11401\" data-rhdg-post=\"2221\" data-rhdg-media=\"11401\"><img class=\"rhdg-photo rw-pad20 rwphoto\" src=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2454-medium.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2454-thumb.webp 400w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2454-medium.webp 1000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2454-large.webp 2000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2454-xlarge.webp 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" style=\"max-height:672px;width:auto;height:auto\" alt=\"Making our way down to Tranquil Lake - where we will have lunch - we were looking for some shade\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nWe also got our first real taste of the goats &#8211; Mama and her twins:<br \/>\n<a class=\"rhdg-photo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/photos\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack\/#p11407\" data-rhdg-post=\"2221\" data-rhdg-media=\"11407\"><img class=\"rhdg-photo rw-pad20 rwphoto\" src=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2461-medium.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2461-thumb.webp 400w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2461-medium.webp 1000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2461-large.webp 2000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2461-xlarge.webp 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" style=\"max-height:672px;width:auto;height:auto\" alt=\"Mama goat and her twins - they hung out above where we ate lunch for a bit\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nAfter we had lunch, used the &#8220;facilities&#8221; (there was a toilet on the other side of the lake), we headed down to the next lakes in the chain.  Once you summit Aasgard pass, you are on essentially a downhill path &#8211; each lake feeds the lake(s) below it, so each lake is lower than the previous lake.  When I was looking at the maps, I didn&#8217;t really realize this fact, since it is rather subtle.  We made our way down to the next un-named lake:<br \/>\n<a class=\"rhdg-photo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/photos\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack\/#p11415\" data-rhdg-post=\"2221\" data-rhdg-media=\"11415\"><img class=\"rhdg-photo rw-pad20 rwphoto\" src=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2470-medium.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2470-thumb.webp 400w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2470-medium.webp 1000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2470-large.webp 2000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2470-xlarge.webp 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" style=\"max-height:672px;width:auto;height:auto\" alt=\"Un-named lake in upper Enchantments\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nWe also got our first glimpse of mountain peaks that would remain with us for the next 2 days &#8211; Prusik Peak and McClellan Peak:<br \/>\n<a class=\"rhdg-photo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/photos\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack\/#p11416\" data-rhdg-post=\"2221\" data-rhdg-media=\"11416\"><img class=\"rhdg-photo rw-pad20 rwphoto\" src=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0219-medium.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0219-thumb.webp 400w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0219-medium.webp 1000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0219-large.webp 2000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0219-xlarge.webp 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" width=\"1000\" height=\"564\" style=\"max-height:672px;width:auto;height:auto\" alt=\"Prusik Peak to the left, McClellan to the right\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nWe continued across this barren plateau &#8211; There was still some snow left from the winter that we had to navigate through &#8211; we would encounter that on several different occasions over the next couple of days:<br \/>\n<a class=\"rhdg-photo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/photos\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack\/#p11436\" data-rhdg-post=\"2221\" data-rhdg-media=\"11436\"><img class=\"rhdg-photo rw-pad20 rwphoto\" src=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2486-medium.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2486-thumb.webp 400w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2486-medium.webp 1000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2486-large.webp 2000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2486-xlarge.webp 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" style=\"max-height:672px;width:auto;height:auto\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nWe went to an overlook and saw Crystal Lake &#8211; a very beautiful lake down in a bowl:<br \/>\n<a class=\"rhdg-photo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/photos\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack\/#p11441\" data-rhdg-post=\"2221\" data-rhdg-media=\"11441\"><img class=\"rhdg-photo rw-pad20 rwphoto\" src=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0229-medium.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0229-thumb.webp 400w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0229-medium.webp 1000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0229-large.webp 2000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0229-xlarge.webp 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" width=\"1000\" height=\"564\" style=\"max-height:672px;width:auto;height:auto\" alt=\"Crystal Lake from above\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nWe then continued on down the trail to Inspiration Lake:<br \/>\n<a class=\"rhdg-photo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/photos\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack\/#p11445\" data-rhdg-post=\"2221\" data-rhdg-media=\"11445\"><img class=\"rhdg-photo rw-pad20 rwphoto\" src=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2498-medium.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2498-thumb.webp 400w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2498-medium.webp 1000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2498-large.webp 2000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2498-xlarge.webp 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" style=\"max-height:672px;width:auto;height:auto\" alt=\"Dropping down into Inspiration Lake\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nAnd then headed around the North end of Perfection Lake, seeing all the meadows there:<br \/>\n<a class=\"rhdg-photo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/photos\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack\/#p11446\" data-rhdg-post=\"2221\" data-rhdg-media=\"11446\"><img class=\"rhdg-photo rw-pad20 rwphoto\" src=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0232-medium.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0232-thumb.webp 400w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0232-medium.webp 1000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0232-large.webp 2000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0232-xlarge.webp 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" width=\"1000\" height=\"564\" style=\"max-height:672px;width:auto;height:auto\" alt=\"Perfection Lake looking South\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nWe also got a great view of Little Annapurna from the North end of Perfection Lake:<br \/>\n<a class=\"rhdg-photo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/photos\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack\/#p11452\" data-rhdg-post=\"2221\" data-rhdg-media=\"11452\"><img class=\"rhdg-photo rw-pad20 rwphoto\" src=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2499-medium.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2499-thumb.webp 400w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2499-medium.webp 1000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2499-large.webp 2000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2499-xlarge.webp 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" style=\"max-height:672px;width:auto;height:auto\" alt=\"Little Annapurna from Perfection Lake\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nAnd a great view of a really cool waterfall on the West side of Perfection Lake:<br \/>\n<a class=\"rhdg-photo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/photos\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack\/#p11450\" data-rhdg-post=\"2221\" data-rhdg-media=\"11450\"><img class=\"rhdg-photo rw-pad20 rwphoto\" src=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0240-medium.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0240-thumb.webp 400w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0240-medium.webp 1000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0240-large.webp 1963w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" style=\"max-height:672px;width:auto;height:auto\" alt=\"Better view of waterfall\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nWe went just a little bit past this and found a campsite near a toilet (to try and escape the goats) with plenty of space for our tents &#8211; it was just past Sprite Lake.  This photo was taken just above our campsite showing where Perfection Lake emptied into Sprite Lake:<br \/>\n<a class=\"rhdg-photo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/photos\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack\/#p11458\" data-rhdg-post=\"2221\" data-rhdg-media=\"11458\"><img class=\"rhdg-photo rw-pad20 rwphoto\" src=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0246-medium.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0246-thumb.webp 400w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0246-medium.webp 1000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0246-large.webp 2000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0246-xlarge.webp 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" width=\"1000\" height=\"564\" style=\"max-height:672px;width:auto;height:auto\" alt=\"Perfection Lake feeding into Sprite Lake\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nWe couldn&#8217;t escape the goats, however &#8211; they were constantly patrolling the campsite.  They were so stealthy &#8211; you would look around and not see any, and then all of a sudden they would just appear &#8211; a few of the group that patrolled our site:<br \/>\n<a class=\"rhdg-photo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/photos\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack\/#p11467\" data-rhdg-post=\"2221\" data-rhdg-media=\"11467\"><img class=\"rhdg-photo rw-pad20 rwphoto\" src=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0249-medium.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0249-thumb.webp 400w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0249-medium.webp 1000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0249-large.webp 2000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0249-xlarge.webp 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" width=\"1000\" height=\"564\" style=\"max-height:672px;width:auto;height:auto\" alt=\"Goats were a constant irritant - they patrolled regularly - looking for pee\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nWe successfully avoided the goats on Tuesday night, made dinner, and went to bed early again (we were pretty tired).  We woke up on Wednesday, intending to do our side trips before our backpack to Snow Lake, however two of our party were too tired to do the side trip.  So we did a shortened trip up to Prusik Pass to take in the views:<br \/>\n<a class=\"rhdg-photo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/photos\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack\/#p11475\" data-rhdg-post=\"2221\" data-rhdg-media=\"11475\"><img class=\"rhdg-photo rw-pad20 rwphoto\" src=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2525-medium.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2525-thumb.webp 400w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2525-medium.webp 1000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2525-large.webp 2000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2525-xlarge.webp 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" style=\"max-height:672px;width:auto;height:auto\" alt=\"Little Annapurna above Perfection Lake - from Prusik Pass\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nAnd to see Shield Lake, which was on the other side of the ridge:<br \/>\n<a class=\"rhdg-photo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/photos\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack\/#p11477\" data-rhdg-post=\"2221\" data-rhdg-media=\"11477\"><img class=\"rhdg-photo rw-pad20 rwphoto\" src=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2527-medium.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2527-thumb.webp 400w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2527-medium.webp 1000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2527-large.webp 2000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2527-xlarge.webp 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" style=\"max-height:672px;width:auto;height:auto\" alt=\"Shield Lake from Prusik Pass\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nIt was also neat to see a preview of our upcoming lakes &#8211; Leprechaun and Viviane:<br \/>\n<a class=\"rhdg-photo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/photos\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack\/#p11484\" data-rhdg-post=\"2221\" data-rhdg-media=\"11484\"><img class=\"rhdg-photo rw-pad20 rwphoto\" src=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2542-medium.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2542-thumb.webp 400w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2542-medium.webp 1000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2542-large.webp 2000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2542-xlarge.webp 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" style=\"max-height:672px;width:auto;height:auto\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nAs well as being able to see where we were camped on Tuesday night:<br \/>\n<a class=\"rhdg-photo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/photos\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack\/#p11483\" data-rhdg-post=\"2221\" data-rhdg-media=\"11483\"><img class=\"rhdg-photo rw-pad20 rwphoto\" src=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2543-medium.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2543-thumb.webp 400w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2543-medium.webp 1000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2543-large.webp 2000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2543-xlarge.webp 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" style=\"max-height:672px;width:auto;height:auto\" alt=\"View of the perfection lake area from Prusik Pass\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nAnd getting a more up close view of Prusik Peak:<br \/>\n<a class=\"rhdg-photo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/photos\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack\/#p11490\" data-rhdg-post=\"2221\" data-rhdg-media=\"11490\"><img class=\"rhdg-photo rw-pad20 rwphoto\" src=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2547-medium.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2547-thumb.webp 400w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2547-medium.webp 1000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2547-large.webp 2000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2547-xlarge.webp 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" style=\"max-height:672px;width:auto;height:auto\" alt=\"Prusik Peak\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nAnd a great panorama from the pass:<br \/>\n<a class=\"rhdg-photo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/photos\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack\/#p11306\" data-rhdg-post=\"2221\" data-rhdg-media=\"11306\"><img class=\"rhdg-photo rw-pad20 rwphoto\" src=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0265-medium.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0265-thumb.webp 400w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0265-medium.webp 1000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0265-large.webp 2000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0265-xlarge.webp 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" width=\"1000\" height=\"126\" style=\"max-height:672px;width:auto;height:auto\" alt=\"Panorama from Prusik Pass\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nMoving down the trail towards Leprechaun Lake we found this neat waterfall that drained into Leprechaun Lake:<br \/>\n<a class=\"rhdg-photo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/photos\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack\/#p11510\" data-rhdg-post=\"2221\" data-rhdg-media=\"11510\"><img class=\"rhdg-photo rw-pad20 rwphoto\" src=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2564-medium.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2564-thumb.webp 400w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2564-medium.webp 1000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2564-large.webp 2000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2564-xlarge.webp 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" style=\"max-height:672px;width:auto;height:auto\" alt=\"Waterfall above Leprechaun Lake\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nWe negotiated the trail around Leprechaun Lake and got this great view of it below McClellan Peak:<br \/>\n<a class=\"rhdg-photo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/photos\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack\/#p11517\" data-rhdg-post=\"2221\" data-rhdg-media=\"11517\"><img class=\"rhdg-photo rw-pad20 rwphoto\" src=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0279-medium.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0279-thumb.webp 400w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0279-medium.webp 1000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0279-large.webp 2000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0279-xlarge.webp 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" width=\"1000\" height=\"564\" style=\"max-height:672px;width:auto;height:auto\" alt=\"Leprechaun Lake with McClellan Peak in the background\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nProceeding, we got to Lake Viviane, with Prusik Peak in the background:<br \/>\n<a class=\"rhdg-photo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/photos\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack\/#p11522\" data-rhdg-post=\"2221\" data-rhdg-media=\"11522\"><img class=\"rhdg-photo rw-pad20 rwphoto\" src=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2577-medium.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2577-thumb.webp 400w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2577-medium.webp 1000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2577-large.webp 2000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2577-xlarge.webp 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" width=\"1000\" height=\"543\" style=\"max-height:672px;width:auto;height:auto\" alt=\"Prusik Peak and &quot;The Temple&quot; above Lake Viviane\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nAnd a view of our destination for Wednesday night &#8211; Snow Lakes &#8211; WAY down in the valley:<br \/>\n<a class=\"rhdg-photo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/photos\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack\/#p11524\" data-rhdg-post=\"2221\" data-rhdg-media=\"11524\"><img class=\"rhdg-photo rw-pad20 rwphoto\" src=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2578-medium.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2578-thumb.webp 400w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2578-medium.webp 1000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2578-large.webp 2000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2578-xlarge.webp 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" style=\"max-height:672px;width:auto;height:auto\" alt=\"Snow Lakes - our destination for Wednesday night\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nThe beginning of this descent started a series of climbing down rock faces &#8211; this particular one wasn&#8217;t nearly as bad as it looked &#8211; everything was dry so it wasn&#8217;t slick, but you sure didn&#8217;t want to slip off this rock:<br \/>\n<a class=\"rhdg-photo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/photos\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack\/#p11525\" data-rhdg-post=\"2221\" data-rhdg-media=\"11525\"><img class=\"rhdg-photo rw-pad20 rwphoto\" src=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0289-medium.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0289-thumb.webp 400w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0289-medium.webp 1000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0289-large.webp 2000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0289-xlarge.webp 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" width=\"1000\" height=\"564\" style=\"max-height:672px;width:auto;height:auto\" alt=\"I won&#039;t lie - this was a bit scary - but everything was dry, so it wasn&#039;t as bad as it looked - you just had to take it slow and carefully.\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nWe then crossed the outlet of Lake Viviane:<br \/>\n<a class=\"rhdg-photo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/photos\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack\/#p11533\" data-rhdg-post=\"2221\" data-rhdg-media=\"11533\"><img class=\"rhdg-photo rw-pad20 rwphoto\" src=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0291-medium.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0291-thumb.webp 400w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0291-medium.webp 1000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0291-large.webp 2000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0291-xlarge.webp 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" width=\"1000\" height=\"564\" style=\"max-height:672px;width:auto;height:auto\" alt=\"Crossing the outlet of Lake Viviane\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nAnd then continued to make our way down the rock face, following the &#8220;trail&#8221;:<br \/>\n<a class=\"rhdg-photo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/photos\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack\/#p11537\" data-rhdg-post=\"2221\" data-rhdg-media=\"11537\"><img class=\"rhdg-photo rw-pad20 rwphoto\" src=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0297-medium.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0297-thumb.webp 400w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0297-medium.webp 1000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0297-large.webp 2000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0297-xlarge.webp 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" width=\"1000\" height=\"564\" style=\"max-height:672px;width:auto;height:auto\" alt=\"Working our way down some more rocky sections - these were very steep\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nUntil we finally got to Snow Lake:<br \/>\n<a class=\"rhdg-photo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/photos\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack\/#p11538\" data-rhdg-post=\"2221\" data-rhdg-media=\"11538\"><img class=\"rhdg-photo rw-pad20 rwphoto\" src=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2583-medium.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2583-thumb.webp 400w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2583-medium.webp 1000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2583-large.webp 2000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMG_2583-xlarge.webp 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" style=\"max-height:672px;width:auto;height:auto\" alt=\"Upper Snow Lake\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nWhere we found a great campsite for the night &#8211; near a HUGE boulder:<br \/>\n<a class=\"rhdg-photo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/photos\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack\/#p11544\" data-rhdg-post=\"2221\" data-rhdg-media=\"11544\"><img class=\"rhdg-photo rw-pad20 rwphoto\" src=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0302-medium.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0302-thumb.webp 400w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0302-medium.webp 1000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0302-large.webp 2000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0302-xlarge.webp 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" width=\"1000\" height=\"564\" style=\"max-height:672px;width:auto;height:auto\" alt=\"Our campsite on Wednesday evening  - that rock was HUGE!\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a class=\"rhdg-photo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/photos\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack\/#p11543\" data-rhdg-post=\"2221\" data-rhdg-media=\"11543\"><img class=\"rhdg-photo rw-pad20 rwphoto\" src=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0303-medium.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0303-thumb.webp 400w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0303-medium.webp 1000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0303-large.webp 2000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0303-xlarge.webp 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" width=\"1000\" height=\"564\" style=\"max-height:672px;width:auto;height:auto\" alt=\"Looking at our campsite from the other angle - it was pretty big, unlike our other two nights.\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nWe setup camp and then played in the water for a while.  Later that afternoon, a helicopter buzzed both lakes, and sounded like Nada Lake (the lake below us), left, and then came back a few minutes later and hovered right next to the dam between the lakes:<br \/>\n<a class=\"rhdg-photo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/photos\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack\/#p11542\" data-rhdg-post=\"2221\" data-rhdg-media=\"11542\"><img class=\"rhdg-photo rw-pad20 rwphoto\" src=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0300-medium.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0300-thumb.webp 400w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0300-medium.webp 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" width=\"1000\" height=\"670\" style=\"max-height:672px;width:auto;height:auto\" alt=\"Hard to see, but this was the helicopter that buzzed the lake twice then swooped in near the dam and hovered about 10&#039; off the water for about a minute - we weren&#039;t sure what the deal was. It kicked up a lot of spray from the lake\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nI always thought it was illegal for helicopters to enter wilderness areas &#8211; at first I thought it was for the nearby fire &#8211; expecting to see a water bucket or something.  Still don&#8217;t know what they were doing, but it was really weird.<\/p>\n<p>We made dinner, played some cards and then went to bed.  This was to be our last night in the wilderness. I had kind of mixed emotions &#8211; while I really enjoyed the trip, I was ready for a nice hot shower and a comfy bed (and flush toilets with no goats!).<\/p>\n<p>The next morning we got up, made breakfast and then broke down camp for the last time.  We wanted to get another early start, since the lower part of the trail went through a fire area and would be really hot later in the day.  So we headed across the dam, down the hill, ready to start our 4000&#8242; descent to the trailhead:<br \/>\n<a class=\"rhdg-photo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/photos\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack\/#p11545\" data-rhdg-post=\"2221\" data-rhdg-media=\"11545\"><img class=\"rhdg-photo rw-pad20 rwphoto\" src=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0304-medium.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0304-thumb.webp 400w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0304-medium.webp 1000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0304-large.webp 2000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0304-xlarge.webp 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" width=\"1000\" height=\"564\" style=\"max-height:672px;width:auto;height:auto\" alt=\"Walking across the dam - our last day in the wilderness\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nSoon we came to Nada Lake &#8211; much lower than Snow Lakes, but very long and narrow:<br \/>\n<a class=\"rhdg-photo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/photos\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack\/#p11549\" data-rhdg-post=\"2221\" data-rhdg-media=\"11549\"><img class=\"rhdg-photo rw-pad20 rwphoto\" src=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0308-medium.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0308-thumb.webp 400w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0308-medium.webp 1000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0308-large.webp 2000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0308-xlarge.webp 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" width=\"1000\" height=\"564\" style=\"max-height:672px;width:auto;height:auto\" alt=\"Nada Lake from above on the trail\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nAfter a while, we crossed Snow Creek:<br \/>\n<a class=\"rhdg-photo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/photos\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack\/#p11550\" data-rhdg-post=\"2221\" data-rhdg-media=\"11550\"><img class=\"rhdg-photo rw-pad20 rwphoto\" src=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0311-medium.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0311-thumb.webp 400w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0311-medium.webp 1000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0311-large.webp 2000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0311-xlarge.webp 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" width=\"1000\" height=\"564\" style=\"max-height:672px;width:auto;height:auto\" alt=\"Footbridge across snow creek\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nWe eventually made it to the final set of switchbacks which would take us to the lower trailhead (if you look really hard you can see the parking lot below):<br \/>\n<a class=\"rhdg-photo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/photos\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack\/#p11553\" data-rhdg-post=\"2221\" data-rhdg-media=\"11553\"><img class=\"rhdg-photo rw-pad20 rwphoto\" src=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0315-medium.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0315-thumb.webp 400w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0315-medium.webp 1000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0315-large.webp 2000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0315-xlarge.webp 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" width=\"1000\" height=\"564\" style=\"max-height:672px;width:auto;height:auto\" alt=\"These were the final switchbacks down to the trailhead - you can barely see the parking lot in the center of the photo - this went thru a burned area.\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nContinuing down the hill through the burned section, we sampled a few thimble berries.  We finally came to the final bridge &#8211; the one that crossed Icicle Creek (more of a river!):<br \/>\n<a class=\"rhdg-photo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/photos\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack\/#p11556\" data-rhdg-post=\"2221\" data-rhdg-media=\"11556\"><img class=\"rhdg-photo rw-pad20 rwphoto\" src=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0319-medium.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0319-thumb.webp 400w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0319-medium.webp 1000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0319-large.webp 2000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0319-xlarge.webp 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" width=\"1000\" height=\"564\" style=\"max-height:672px;width:auto;height:auto\" alt=\"Last footbridge across icicle creek (more of a river really)\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a class=\"rhdg-photo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/photos\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack\/#p11559\" data-rhdg-post=\"2221\" data-rhdg-media=\"11559\"><img class=\"rhdg-photo rw-pad20 rwphoto\" src=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0321-medium.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0321-thumb.webp 400w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0321-medium.webp 1000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0321-large.webp 2000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2014\/enchantments-backpack-zr9jsjayxsmt1m5o\/IMAG0321-xlarge.webp 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" width=\"1000\" height=\"564\" style=\"max-height:672px;width:auto;height:auto\" alt=\"Icicle creek\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nWe all made it back down to the truck without incident.  It was a pretty hot day already.  Kirk and I drove my truck up to the upper trailhead to get his van.  Once back at the lower trailhead, we headed into town to look for a good, hearty lunch.  We found a place and had a feast (as Carly called it).  Once done with lunch, we started the long journey home.  5 hours later, we were home again safely.<\/p>\n<p>A truly epic trip &#8211; while the mileage wasn&#8217;t huge, the condition of the trail and the difficulty of it were incredible.  It was quite a challenge, even for experienced hikers\/backpackers, and everyone rose to the challenge and successfully completed it.  I had a great time visiting a truly special area.  While it does remind me of the Wallowas, it has its own special charm &#8211; and it requires a great deal of work to be able to see it in person.  I hope to see it again some day.\n<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Template for creating a trip report<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,4],"tags":[26,19,28,49,23,30,50,20],"class_list":["post-2221","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-tripreport","category-tripreport2014","tag-fourstars","tag-backpacking","tag-carly","tag-emily","tag-epic","tag-kirk","tag-sarah","tag-wilderness"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2221","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2221"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2221\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18229,"href":"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2221\/revisions\/18229"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2221"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2221"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2221"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}