Enchantment Lakes #1553

Won the lottery on Thurs; we were the first ones out of the hat for the walk-in permits! The trail to Snow lakes is in good condition; only a couple blow-downs that I wouldn't have even remembered if I hadn't had a pack on. Made Lake Viviane in time for a quick (COLD) dip before dinner. It's amazing how constant the wind is in the enchantments, and how it dissapears the minute you descend towards snow lakes. The mountain goats are out in force, leaving patches of winter coat on branches and carting bleating kids after them. We spent a couple hours on Saturday just goat watching. Also saw two ptarmigan in summer plummage and a snowshoe hare (wow their feet are big!). The flowers are just slightly past their peak in the lower enchanments, but are perfect up higher. The weather cooperated for the most part. The Rangers told us that Aasgard Pass is particularly dangerous this year due to loose rock. The bugs are horrible at Nada and Snow, but they dwindle past being noticable once you're in the enchantments. What a wonderful hike...