Suday moring I arose at 5AM with the Enchantment loop as a goal for the day. After a short drive from the Johnny Creek CG and breakfast on the way, I was on the trail. It was good to start early (6AM) as the forecast was for hot weather. An hour and a half later, I was at Colchuck Lake enjoying the cool morning weather. Around the lake and up Colchuck Lake and up I went, towards Aasgard Pass. Up, up, up, but there was almost no snow on the trail, just one very small patch. As I reached the pass the sun hit me more the first time, and it was warm, too warm. I decided to slow my pace and enjoy the scenery, which was spectacular. All of the upper lakes were melted out, except Islolation Lake, which is well on it's way. I continued on though the desolate beauty which is the Enchantment Plateau down to the beautiful meadows just south of Enchantment Peak, they are truly spectacular. A large group of mtn goats was feeding on the north side of the meadows, perhaps 9 or 10 of them. I stopped hear to refill my water and take a short break, the weather was after all getting quite hot and starting to take a toll on me. From here I strolled on down past the other lakes, the view down to Crystal lake below Little Annapurna was incredable. The views of Prusik Peak were spectacular the incredible, as a climber it is high on my list of climbs to do in the fiture, the pealy white granite is enough to entice even the most approach hating of climbers. For the most part, the entire area was easy to hike, only a few snow patches and a little mud, I had light weight low top hikes on and they were more than adequate. An extra pair of socks however is a most, just in case of a slip resulting in a wet foot. From here the hike to the snow creek trailhead was uneventful but very hot. I kept my pace slow trying not to over exert myself. A quich dip at Nada Lake was very refreshing. Back at the trailhead I was lucky enough to get a ride to the Stuart Lake trailhead rather quickly. I was at my car by 5:30. The entire trip was just less than 12 hrs car to car. I still felt fine except for my feet, after 20 miles they were justifiably rather tired.

Trail is in good condition, snow free, camps at lake are also snow free, a few horse and deer fly on the way up the ridge. Some mosquitoes on trail around the East side of the lake (behind the ridge on the way to the outlet). Water is still available on southwest side of lake near the group of campsites.

Well, after doing an overnighter at Snow Lake July 4th, I decided that the pain was not enough. This time I went back to the lower enchantments on a day hike starting at the Snow Lake trail. For the most part, the trails was very good. However, crossing the rock slides which expose you to the sun is brutal. I felt like a turkey being basted in the oven on Thanks Giving day. The bugs did not help either. Whenever near water, they swarmed in masses. The deet did a wonderful job. This time around the damn at lower Snow lake was pretty dry with no flowing water over it it. Made the crossing much easier than before. The marshes seemed a bit dried up as well as I hiked around Snow Lake. Started the climb to the lower enchantments and nearly died of heat exhaustion and fatigue. I am a 40 year old unfit person with a bad heart. But even so, I made it there and back in one day :) Goats everywhere. quite pleasing to see actually. Ran in to lots of people who started at the uper enchantments and where making their way to Snow lake trail head. All in all, 20 tough miles. Besides the elevation gains through the sun exposed rock slides, the worst part of the hike were the switch backs near the parking lot. They went on for ever and slowed me down drastically due to a bad knee. However, its all worth it since there is nothing else like the enchantments. The following link is to some photos I took up there.

http://www.hometheaterdiscussion.com/image_dir/alpine_ lakes/vivian_lake/enchanted_lakes.html

First time trip to the lakes for a non fit city dweller and a friend. To put it in simple terms, a 40lb backpack plus the elevation gains before Nada Lake and Lower Snow lake are simply grueling, agonizing and beautiful at the same time. The trail starts of with switch back after switchback gaining elevation rapidly but taking its toll on my quads. The trail is very clearly marked and the rushing water scenes are phenomenal. Encountered a goat about 3.5 miles into the trip according to the GPS. Was within 10 feet of the beast staring me straight in the eyes :-) It was actually quite comical to see him with vines wrapped around his horns. Afterwards we named him Caeser for the look. He decided to jump off a ledge that would have left any human dead and pretty much mangled. Moving on we encountered a slope of granite boulders which were very difficult to traverse due to the elevation gain, heat, backpack and poor physical condition. reached Nada lake and was very excited. That was short lived as we started climbing again through another slope of granite boulders. This one nearly did me in. The climbing plus the sun beating down on us was too much. We finally reached lower Snow Lake and replenished our water packs. Crossed the damn and headed to the upper part of Snow Lake. Very pleasant trek in the shade with gorgeous views. Set camp and showered with DEET. Unfortunately we missed out on the best part of the hike which are the enchantments. Will be returning to do that hike in few weeks. Heard there is a short cut to it but 2200 foot gain in 3/4 of a mile. :-( None the less, the way back offered some incredible views of Nada from the upper view points. I am not very religious but all I can say is that the beauty encountered throughout the trip was no accident :-)