The Enchantments Day Hike

Nice report. I've never been from Colchuck to Aasgard – go to do that some day.

18 miles in one day – good job – and the middle part is some difficult mileage. I've always considered myself lucky to get from Snow Lake to lower Enchantmentsd in one day

Thanks Jerry. Colchuck is a pretty area. Like Snow Lake, it's a tent city of sorts but I still wouldn't mind camping there.

I didn't mention it in my report but the water level at Snow Lake was unbelievably low by at least 20' if not more.

Ian, nice job!

I haven't been into the Enchantments except Stuart Lake and Colchuck Lake, staring up and across at wicked Aasgard Pass. I was wondering how you were going to pull this off because that is a monster day-hike! Well done!

Edit: Stuart!

Nice report Ian! Great job as well on your first time through the Enchantments – amazing place isn't it? One little nitpick – it is Stuart lake after Mt Stuart, nambed by George McClellan for his friend Captain Stuart.

Thanks for the kind words Steven!

Great catch Jim. I'll make the correction to my trip report later and I'll correct the OP now. I really appreciate that you found the error.

You are welcome Ian, again – great report!

"For me, this was a very challenging but enjoyable hike."

It's challenging for almost everyone the first time out. Congratulations on hanging in there and completing one of the premier day hikes in America.

I've a hunch you'll come back for seconds. ;)

Beautiful weather and hike!

I had the elevation gains/losses wrong in the original trip report. Just remeasured everything on Caltopo and the report should be correct now. 4400' gain from Stuart TH to the upper basin and the 6400' loss from the upper basin to Snow Lake TH.

Ian,
I really enjoyed your humorous write up and photos. Thanks!

Thanks for the kind words Ike. It's always hard to tell in this setting if my humor translates well or falls flat. My wife assures me that just because I think I'm funny doesn't mean the rest of the world does.

You're a funny guy, but remember, looks aren't everything!

"but remember, looks aren't everything!"

Possibly the least helpful thing I've ever been told. I'll be crying on the toilet eating eating chocolate if anyone needs me.

Ian,
Great trip report!! The photos and comments were wonderful. I'm looking forward to another trip report that covers 3-5 days in this area. I've been to Oregon and spent some time in Portland and Seattle, but now I'm thinking that the Enchantments would be a great place to explore. I think that Sharon was very ungracious in her comments.

Sharon,
That was very funny! :)

Tom

Remember that you need a permit to camp in the Enchantments, and they're very limited, sort of like the Sierras.

Thanks Tom!

As Jerry mentioned, the permit process complicates things but probably worth the effort. This is a hike I always knew that I would want to day hike. Now that's done, I'd like to return on a much more relaxed schedule so I can do more exploring in the upper basin and climb Little Annapurna or another peak.