Washington State – Enchantments from Snow Creek Trail

Yeah, lots of people, not so bad because they limit number of people though.

"The goats are almost domesticated"

From 2009:

Just as an PSA and not directed at the OP or interested in starting a flame war, Marijuana is still illegal on federal lands. Do with that information what you will but if you spark up in front of a ranger on federal land, don't be surprised if you find yourself in federal magistrate court shortly thereafter.

The Enchantments are beautiful. I day-hiked through it last year and used Leavenworth Taxi and Shuttle to get from one trailhead to the other.

Yea… I'm not for or against the legalization/use of it. Not a smoker myself but around here I doubt many Rangers are going to put much effort into enforcement concerning recreational use of it. They are probably more concerned about illegal camping, fires etc..etc…

I didn't realize they had a taxi. That would be a good solution because the lower trail head is only a few miles from town.

Rangers, like all LEOs, have prosecutorial discretion. I've seen road cops confiscate weed/pipes for disposal where they sent the offender (sober) on their way with just a butt-chewing. I've also seen people get booked into jail (pre-legalization) for simple possession.

I think smokers of both tobacco and other plants are unaware of how far the smell travels, especially in the woods. There's a difference between encountering a few hazy eyed backpackers off to themselves in the back-40 vs receiving a complaint from a family with young children that they can smell pot smoke drifting over from someone else's campsite.

Certainly not advocating for smoking weed but I think it's never a bad idea to exercise discretion and good judgment.

Again, not directed at you. Just a general statement and observation.

"This area is overused due to the glory and reputation of the Enchantments. The goats are almost domesticated once you get up into the lake basin."

+1

"There are plenty of designated camp areas and while it was a nice hike and the area is beautiful, I'll probably look for more remote less populated areas rather than plan a repeat."

A much less frequented route branches off from the trail up to L. Viviane at Nada Lake and takes you into Temple Canyon on a faint climbers boot track. It is beautiful and almost deserted most of the time. You can exit over Prussik Pass and return the way you came, or continue on over Asgaard Pass if doing a point to point hike. Either makes for a long day, but well worth it, IMO. If you want to spend a day or two, wander over to Lost World Plateau, which you will very likely have to yourself.

Tom, don't tell anyone about that. I remember doing that in the 1970s. Nice little lake. The closest of the Enchantment lakes. That trail isn't too difficult.

"Tom, don't tell anyone about that."

;)

The last switchback before you get to enchantments, there's a stream which is the outflow of the lake. The "trail" goes along that stream.