Enchantment Lakes

Beano, Rolo, and myself made up the team for this week long backpack in the Enchantments. Heavenly. We had planned to enter via Asgard Pass taking the Snow Lake route out, but the Colchuck trailhead was closed due to fires in the Eight Mile Road area so we changed our route to Snow Lakes in and out. The trailhead was smokey when we started out, but we were hoping to get above this once in the basin. Our first night was spent at Snow Lakes. The lake was quite unattractive with the water level being extremely low. Still, we had a comfortable camp near the far end. Next day we headed up with clear skies and not a trace of smoke. Conditions were great in the basin with warm temps in the 70's and no bugs. Clear and sunny. This was a fishing trip and we weren't disappointed with fish caught in every lake we visited. Much of the larch have turned and they should be at their peak next week. There were amazingly few people, probably due to reports of smoke, but this wasn't a problem for us most of the time. Goats were friendly as usual, and we had several including two kids in camp. We paid a visit to Shield, Earle, and Mesa Lakes in the basin below Prusik Pass. This is a rugged trail that is not for everyone. Still it's a beautiful place, much more attractive than it would seem looking down from the pass. Great fishing as well. We were finally deluged with smoke on our fifth day. Ash was falling by nightfall and our eyes and sinuses began to burn. Sleep was difficult that night. But then just as we'd had enough, the skies cleared up and we enjoyed our trip out with an overnight at Nada Lake and more fishing. All in all a splendid trip with great company, fine fishing, and the wonderful experience that a visit to the Enchantments brings. Dinner at Gustav's was better than ever after seven days of camp food!