I've been doing #optoutside since 2015 and this year was no exception. The previous week, my hikes off of Icicle Road was completely snow free. So, I made plans to head into the Enchantments. Then the weather changed quite a bit, but I thought it was still doable so I prepared for a two-night trip.
Thanksgiving Day, I got to the trailhead an hour behind schedule. Only 1 other vehicle was parked. And the outhouse was locked. I did a final check and headed off at 09:00. By the time I was at the wilderness sign an hour later, snow was covering on the trail. It was overcast and kind of foggy. At around 3 miles in, I met the couple who had been on a day hike. They had turned around the 4-mile point, which I reached around 12:30 and took a lunch break.
I continued on at a steady pace. I did slip on a snow-covered boulder, which was not great, but no injuries. I reached socked in Nada Lake around 15:00. Sunset was going to be around 16:15, which did not leave me much time so I pushed on, hiking out of the fog layer. I reached Snow Lakes and crossed on the dam. It was past sunset and in the fading light I continued up the shore. At this point it started to snow. I gave up on reaching the north end of the lake and found a campsite. 7hr 20mins to cover 7.3 miles with 4040 ft of elevation gain. The ground was frozen solid and I had to use rocks to secure my tent. I crawled in and shed my wet layers. I forgot my tarp so although it was not best practices, I boiled water in the vestibule and ate my dinner in the tent. I went to sleep shortly after 21:00. I woke at least three times, each time shaking accumulated snow off the tent.
My alarm woke me up at 05:00 which was unintentional. I could still hear some snow falling so I went back to bed. When next I opened my eyes, it was 07:30, just past sunrise, and very still. Everything in the tent was damp. Outside, the mountain peaks glistened with snow in the sunlight. I think about 6 inches of fresh snow had fallen. The temp was hovering around 25F. There was more snow than expected and a lot more than expected had fallen. Although the day looked good, I didn't have my full winter load out with me. So, I decided to cut the trip short and head back. I was able to pack up in the open but it took more time than expected, wet tent and all. It was almost 10:00 before I started moving.
I made my way down carefully with microspikes and poles. The sunshine was welcome but much of the trail was in shadow. Nada Lake from above was gorgeous. As I got closer, I could make out track on the lake near the other shore. I wonder what they were? I broke for lunch around 13:30. Otherwise I kept up a careful and steady pace. I remembered this hike out to be a slog from two years ago. And yes, it was a slog. 7 hours of hiking later, and one fall bruising my elbow, I was back at the trailhead in complete darkness.
The snow is sticking around this time. Expect full winter conditions until the spring. It's still early so not enough snow to cover all the rocks. Walking through the boulder fields will be tricky with snow shoes until more coverage. Do be careful and take your time.
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