Snuck in one last high alpine route before the impending storm. I had a couple of options that I considered but chose the Enchantments due to ease of access and the surprising fact that I had not been in the Core in October before.
Decided to skip the thru hike and do and out-and-back from Snow Lakes to Aasgard Pass so that I could experience the Core in both directions. Though this trip is eight miles longer (26 miles) and has a considerable bit of more gain than the thru hike from Stuart to Snow Lakes, it was worth it in my opinion. The Core is so different based on the direction you are traveling.
I won't get into conditions too much as they are going to drastically change by the time this is posted. Fall foliage is amazing from the Snow Lakes trailhead for the first three miles and even just a trip to Nada Lakes would be a treat for the next week or so. In the Core, the larches are past their prime but were still glowing. Trail was snow free up to Snow Lakes, then some packed icy sections from their to Vivianne. In the Core there was a lot of packed ice/snow and most i crossed paths with had some traction devices on. I didn't but I don't use them often. Again, this is going to be completely different in the coming days with a large amount of snow forecast.
Very fortunate to be able to sneak this trip in later in the year!
Type of Hike
Day hikeTrail Conditions
Minor obstacles posing few problemsRoad
Road suitable for all vehiclesBugs
No bugsSnow
Trail snow-covered at times - gear and expertise recommended
Comments
AlpsDayTripper on The Enchantments
Great photos! I like that you always add personal context and caveats to your reporting of conditions, it makes them very useful, thanks!
Posted by:
AlpsDayTripper on Oct 16, 2019 09:34 AM
Stuke Sowle on The Enchantments
Thank you! I appreciate the kind words and feedback. I thought this one of my less informative trip reports given I didn't want people to think that these conditions were going to last.
Posted by:
Stuke Sowle on Oct 18, 2019 06:13 AM
@whereisyuriy on The Enchantments
Thanks Stuke, very insightful. That is just the route I was planning to take, since going up Asgard Pass from Colchuck is getting more sketchy with all the snow and ice.
Posted by:
@whereisyuriy on Oct 17, 2019 12:38 PM
Stuke Sowle on The Enchantments
You are most welcome! It is longer route but as you noted, a lot less sketchy than Aasgard and it's current conditions.
Posted by:
Stuke Sowle on Oct 18, 2019 06:14 AM
Moppy on The Enchantments
Might be helpful to explain what you carry on a 26 mile "day hike" to be prepared for getting stranded overnight (which is certainly a possibility). There are scads of inexperienced hikers in the mountains these days who take off with the assumption they will only be out for the day and thus are totally unprepared for unforseen circumstances.
Posted by:
Moppy on Nov 02, 2019 11:19 PM