Enchantment Lakes
Sep 26, 2008
by
Dave
—
last modified
Sep 29, 2008 02:02 PM
- Type of Outing
- Multi-night backpack
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: Enchantment Lakes
- Region: Central Cascades -- Leavenworth Area
- Agency: Wenatchee National Forest, Wenatchee River Ranger District
- Trails: Enchantment Lakes (#1553)
- Avg Rating: 4.52
- Why You Should Go Now
- Fall foliage
Oversleeping; a $125 fine? Dave and Breanne’s trip to the Enchantments.
My girlfriend, Breanne, and I hiked the Enchantments last weekend. This was our first trip in the area and we were overwhelmed by the beauty. We had permits for Colchuck and Snow Lakes, and our plan was to spend one night at Colchuck, pass through the Enchantments lakes during the day and spend our second night at Snow Lakes.
A later than desired start up Aasgard Pass combined with over estimating our abilities/underestimating Aasgurd Pass, resulted in reaching the ridge much later than anticipated. Still, we had a permit to camp at Snow Lakes so we continued through.
With the ever shortening hours of daylight, we reached the top of “The Wall” and the treacherous descent from the Enchantment zone just after 6:00 pm (estimated ½ hr of light remaining). After discussing our options with hikers that had ascended from Snow Lakes, it became abundantly clear that our best course of action was to leave the descent for the morning; no point in risking our lives to abide by a permit. We quickly found an established camp site next to Lake Vivian and enjoyed our last night.
Soon after breaking camp and beginning our descent we came across a pair of park rangers. We presented our permit and explained our dilemma of the night before. The ranger was not compassionate and promptly began issuing a $125 fine. We pleaded our case again but to no avail.
We asked the ranger, “if we had experienced an accident during the night time descent requiring a helicopter rescue, what would that cost us?” His response, “rescues come out of tax-payers funds, you wouldn’t have to pay anything.” We were speachless. We were being penalized for making a decision that could have saved our lives and prevented an intensive rescue. Since when were rules put in place to jeopardize life, not save it? Isn’t the preservation of human life the highest goal?
I am completely confident that we made the best decision. If I am ever in a situation again where unacceptable risks must be taken to abide by a permit, I know I will choose to preserve my life and the lives of my companions despite the threat of fines.
Fortunately, the views were even more stunning than our encounter with law and we had an incredible trip!
-Dave
My girlfriend, Breanne, and I hiked the Enchantments last weekend. This was our first trip in the area and we were overwhelmed by the beauty. We had permits for Colchuck and Snow Lakes, and our plan was to spend one night at Colchuck, pass through the Enchantments lakes during the day and spend our second night at Snow Lakes.
A later than desired start up Aasgard Pass combined with over estimating our abilities/underestimating Aasgurd Pass, resulted in reaching the ridge much later than anticipated. Still, we had a permit to camp at Snow Lakes so we continued through.
With the ever shortening hours of daylight, we reached the top of “The Wall” and the treacherous descent from the Enchantment zone just after 6:00 pm (estimated ½ hr of light remaining). After discussing our options with hikers that had ascended from Snow Lakes, it became abundantly clear that our best course of action was to leave the descent for the morning; no point in risking our lives to abide by a permit. We quickly found an established camp site next to Lake Vivian and enjoyed our last night.
Soon after breaking camp and beginning our descent we came across a pair of park rangers. We presented our permit and explained our dilemma of the night before. The ranger was not compassionate and promptly began issuing a $125 fine. We pleaded our case again but to no avail.
We asked the ranger, “if we had experienced an accident during the night time descent requiring a helicopter rescue, what would that cost us?” His response, “rescues come out of tax-payers funds, you wouldn’t have to pay anything.” We were speachless. We were being penalized for making a decision that could have saved our lives and prevented an intensive rescue. Since when were rules put in place to jeopardize life, not save it? Isn’t the preservation of human life the highest goal?
I am completely confident that we made the best decision. If I am ever in a situation again where unacceptable risks must be taken to abide by a permit, I know I will choose to preserve my life and the lives of my companions despite the threat of fines.
Fortunately, the views were even more stunning than our encounter with law and we had an incredible trip!
-Dave
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Enchantements fine
But a late start and over-estimating your abilities is not a good excuse to nix the preservation of The Enchantments and the permit system. It's my land too, and I would like it preserved.
Think of this: If everyone were allowed an excuse, it would leave a loophole big enough to run down the Enchantments in record time, and it would be a huge step backwards in conservation. The Forest Service would have to increase the number of rangers in the area to hear each case and decide before issuing tix. And then, who is to decide what is a good enough case?
The blanket policy is the best policy. The Forest Services' job is to uphold and manage a policy to perserve The Enchantments. A permit holder's job is to honor the policy and the rules of the permit. To honor the policy, you have to know your limitations. Set the alarm, read the map and know the mileage and elevation gain - this is your job, not the job of the Forest Service.