August 10th, the first day
After the long drive the night before, a good dinner and picking our permits early in the morning, we headed up to the Colchuck Lake trailhead. With a lot of energy we started our hike up thru the dense forest as it climbs gradually towards the ridge. The first part of the trail is very similar to a lot of other trails, but after crossing the second bridge, things start to change as Colchuck Peak and the Dragon Tail become visible. From there, it was a relentless hike up thru numerous switchbacks as we were quickly gaining elevation. Weather was not looking very nice so we did only one stop to rest and get the views towards the valley where Stuart Lake is. Soon after that, we got to Colchuck Lake and the first of many incredible views. We hiked around the lake until we found a nice campsite and, as we were setting up camp, the weather cleared up a bit.
View of Colchuck Lake from our campsite
Having plenty of daylight, we started thinking about possible side trips we could do. One idea was to go explore Stuart Lake which we dismissed as we would have had to hike back up to Colchuck to return to camp. Looking at the map and around us, we saw the possibility of climbing a peak on the west side of the lake. From the map, we saw that it would be an interesting boulder field almost all the way up so we geared up and headed that way. Jocelyn, being a climber led the way thru the rock field and around the ridge to a point where it seemed we would be able to reach the intended peak. The climb was great and the views getting better and better as we gained elevation. Once we got there, we explored a bit enjoyed an amazing view of Colchuck Lake from above as well as the Dragon Tail. While we were up the weather kept changing with fast moving clouds and periods of sun, that gave some nice picture opportunities
Colchuck from the peak
After a little while, we started our climb down but instead of using the same route we took up, we went around and came back down on the back of the peak. That made us go thru some dense and steep terrain until we got to the boulder field and the trail back to camp just in time for dinner and a beautiful sunset.
View of Dragon Tail just before the sun went down
August 11th, the climb up Aasgard Pass
On Wednesday, we woke up to a bright sunny day with high level clouds. After a quick breakfast and packing our gear, we were ready to tackle Aasgard Pass. The hike around the lake and up the pass was beautiful and exhausting as expected. As we were climbing, it was hard not to turn back every second to enjoy the scenery.
Another View of Colchuck from Aasgard Pass
Once we reached the Pass, we were received by the welcoming committee. I’m not sure if it was the same lonely goat that received us last year but this one was really showing off the scenery and checking us out. The Basin looked a bit different as it was darkened by the moving black clouds. Weather was looking very menacing but fortunately we didn’t have any rain.
Welcoming goat
Isolation Lake and very menacing clouds
My original plan was to try to get the same camping spot we used last year as it was protected by trees and had some good views. Unfortunately, we could see in the distance that a group going ahead of us, had already grabbed that spot. As we were hiking thru the basin, we made a stop next to one of the small lakes that had a wide flat area perfect for camping. We left some of our gear there and split to go look for a better place. As we did, a goat and its kid started to look very interested in us or our gear so Jocelyn stayed behind to shoo them away. AS we continued thru the lakelets, we found a second camping spot that had better views and not as close to the water as the other one. So we decided to take the second option
The first campsite pick
Goats interested in us or our gear
That afternoon, after setting up camp and having lunch, we didn’t have any plans, so each one of us had our own free time. I took my camera, some water and food and decided to scramble up towards the ridge on the northern side of the basin. I was not able to find any names for this ridge other than Enchantments Peaks. As I was gaining elevation, the views of the basin were getting not only better but more expansive. At a point high up, I was able to see pretty much the whole extent of the Enchantments including Snow Lake. The following pictures is a short show of the views I got
Enchantment Lakelets
The Peaks, I climbed all the way to the peak on the upper left corner of the picture
Full panorama of the Enchantments, from left to right you can see Prusik Peak, Inspiration, Surprise, and Leprechaun Lakes, McClellan Peak, the Enchantments lakelets and Little Annapurna to the right.
The Enchantment peaks
On my way down from the peaks, I followed the ridge towards Aasgard. By then, the sun was already going down and the basin was starting to get dark so I got some nice dusk views before I got back to camp for dinner
The lakelets at dusk
Perfection Lake with a tent set up on the right side (that the first campsite we found)
August 12th, Exploring around Little Annapurna
Thursday was the peak day of our trip, not only we had planned a good exploration day and then move down to Inspiration Lake, but also we had a feast for the night. August 12th was the peak of the Perseid Meteor shower so with a clear day, we were definitely looking forward to seeing some shooting stars.
Early morning from our campsite
Right after breakfast, we packed most of our gear and took off on our day expedition. The first destination was Little Annapurna so we figured our way and started climbing. The views from up there were as fantastic as I remembered they were and both Brian and Mark were like little kids exploring all the different viewpoints you can stand on. We did see a family of Marmots enjoys the sun as we were there but being skittish as they are, it was difficult to get a good photo. Differently from last year’s journey, were we just went down the same way we went up, we checked our maps and decided to continue on the ridge towards Dragon Tail. That implied descending a bit to a saddle and then climbing up again to a peak on the other side. There we found some more interesting rock formation that looked almost like put there by giant hands. Jocelyn tried to get on top, but after seeing the steep drop off on the other side of the rocks; she decided to stay on the safe side. From that same point, we got a very nice view of Isolation Lake and the top of Aasgard pass
Jocelyn enjoying the view of Isolation Lake and Aasgard pass
From there, we started our descend and quickly found that it was going to be a bit trickier than expected. For starters, the hill was steeper and then you had some rocks and a lake down bellow. Obviously falling would not end up well. We did a bit of traversing which put us on a snow field from where we glissaded down as we could until we got to a small ridgeline between Isolation Lake and the other Lakelets. Back at camp, we had a late lunch and got ready to hike down to our next camping spot between Surprise and Inspiration Lakes. As we were walking out, Jocelyn turned around to check we were not leaving anything behind and by weird chance, as she was walking on a flat surface, she twisted her ankle. I was standing next to her so almost heard when it happened. Being a very experienced hiker, she took her boot off and quickly put her foot in the cold water to prevent swelling. She wasn’t feeling too bad but resting a bit was going to be better than forcing her to move. So Brian, Mark and I took off to look for the next campsite which luckily was not going to be too far away and then two of us would come back for her and her gear. All that took most of the afternoon but finally we were roughly in the same spot where I camped the previous year. We had a late dinner with wonderful color displays just in preparation for the meteor shower.
Sunset from our campsite, a good way to end the day
That night, once it got dark, all four of us took are sleeping pads and lay on the rocks looking up. We stayed there for more than a couple of hours as countless shooting stars crossed the sky.
August 13th, hiking down to Snow Lake
Friday morning was another splendid day. Unfortunately, Jocelyn’s foot was not doing so great. After estimating how long it would take for us to hike down to Snow Lake, Mark, Brian and I decided to go for a short exploratory hike to Prusik Pass while Jocelyn stayed at camp resting a bit. The three of us hiked down to Inspiration Lake and soon took the trail up to Prusik Pass.
View from the trail junction to Prusik Pass
Once at the pass, we had a complete view of Shield Lake which might be a route worth exploring next time and Prusik Peak. We took a small detour to the ridgeline which gave us a view of Lake Viviane. We also noticed a rock climber on the face of Prusik Peak going up. It was far for a good picture, but it was interesting to see someone all the way up in a wall. On our way down back to camp, we made a quick stop at a little pond with no name to take a last look up close to Prusik Peak and the climber. Back at camp, we picked our gear and started our long hike down to Snow Lake. The going was slow, especially while crossing streams or climbing down from boulders as Jocelyn was being careful not to put too much pressure on her bad ankle. Still, the hike down was fantastic as we went around Inspiration and Leprechaun Lakes and then followed the creek down to Lake Viviane. In that section of the hike, we found a lot of day hikers coming up from the Snow Lake trailhead which was unexpected.
Our lunch spot on our hike down to Snow Lake
From Lake Viviane the trail changes completely as it follows the creek down to Snow Lake. This section of the trail not only gets steeper as it goes thru numerous switchbacks, but also gets back pretty quickly into deep forested areas. On more than a couple of places, we were able to get close to the creek and see the numerous waterfalls in the area. After a while, we finally reached Snow Lake and started looking for a campsite. AS it happened last year, pretty much every campsite was already taken, most by people going just for the weekend and entering from the Sow Lake trailhead.
Finally at Snow Lake
We continued around upper Snow Lake to the dam without any luck. At that point, our option was to find something around lower Snow Lake or, worst case, hike down to Nada Lake which would have taken us another couple of hours. Fortunately we did find a pretty secluded campsite on the north side of lower Snow Lake. Being a hot day and considering how tired we were, just after setting up camp, I jumped in to the lake not realizing it was much colder than what I thought. It still felt very refreshing after a long day.
Lower Snow Lake from our campsite
August 14th, last day
Morning view from our last campsite
Once again, we woke to a fantastic day with clear blue skies. Being the last day, the only plan was to pack and hike all the way to the car. I did remember from my previous time that this part of the hike was grueling. It wasn’t because it was long or steep but, as you climb down and the day gets hotter, your feet start to burn. By the time you make it to the river, it almost feels like you’ve been walking for a week on hot coals. In any case, the first part of the hike was pleasant, and we were very surprised when, after passing a bend, saw a big gush of water firing out of the mountain. At first we thought it was a waterfall that somehow had bored a hole in the rocks but after, realizing the pressure and how far it was going, that it had to be something different. At a point, we found a side trail that allowed us to get closer to the source where we found a drain pipe, probably from Snow Lake and a valve house. The pipe was fully open so the amount of water coming was nothing short of impressive.
Lots of water and lots of pressure
The trail then took us around Nada Lake which rarely gets any visitors despite the fact of being a very nice lake. Maybe this is due to the fact that Nada is the last (or first) lake from the Snow Lake Trailhead. It also might be because right after this lake, the trail changes one more time into a more arid and open area as it gets out of the deep forest and starts winding down the slope of Snow Creek all the way to the river. The first portion is not that bad with lots of vegetation and countless switchbacks as the trail gets closer to the creek a few times. Roughly half way down and half the distance, all this forest is left behind. The view in front is a huge canyon with some views of Leavenworth far in the distance. With some patience and the desire to get out of the heat, we got down early in the afternoon. We went to the car were we dropped our gear and then headed back to the Icicle river to jump in for a refreshing bath before heading back to town for well deserved meal and the long drive home.
Back at the Icicle river
What more can I say about this fantastic trip and great companions.
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