The Enchantments via Aasgard Pass - Alpine Lakes Wilderness, WA 9-14-2016

Panoramic view east of the Upper Enchantment from Isolation Lake - Little Annapurna (right) and Prusik Peak with The Temple(center) are seen on horizon.

Absolutely AMAZING hike! The Enchantments was on my bucket list for a long time and I finally made it there. I started the hike from Stuart Lake trailhead to Colchuck Lake and entered the Enchantments via Aasgard Pass. Very challenging hike, indeed. Mark my words....be "prepared/experienced" to do this hike - physically and mentally. But, the hike is absolutely worth the time and effort. One of the best and you'll never forget. Big effort, big reward!

My goal was to hike to the Enchantments and explore as much as I could for a day hike. I already knew it was almost insane, though it’s possible, to make a round trip hike through the entire Enchantments trail (18 miles one way!) in a single day unless you do "thru-hike" by entering from one end exiting to the other. So, I entered from Aasgard Pass and hiked the Upper and the Middle Enchantments, and turned around at Inspiration Lake so that I have enough time to descend Aasgard Pass before sunset as I wanted to avoid descending the steep pass in darkness. I returned to trailhead with my headlamp on. Total hiking time/distance - 12 hrs/16 miles RT. To make a day hike to the Enchantments, the earlier you start, the more you get to see. Attached video describes some details.

The Enchantments is truly an epic hike without exaggeration. It's strenuous and demanding (distance, elevation gain, altitude, variable terrains, route finding, weather) either for a day hike or overnight/backpacking. And yet, not only with "enchanting" beauty of magical landscape (alpine lakes, cirques, waterfalls, creeks, mountain peaks, rock formations, glaciers, meadows), but also wildlife and vegetation, the Enchantments offers the whole nine yards for those who seek pristine alpine lakes wilderness adventure. I saw mountain goats, marmots, pikas, chipmunks, deer and wild birds. Larches look just about to turn colors as temperature drops into autumn....perhaps, in a week or two.

Road condition
Icicle Creek Road is paved and Forest Service Road 7601 is a little bumpy dirt road with potholes. Potholes are not deep and easy to spot as you drive.

Trailhead
Stuart Lake Trailhead is fairly large, but it fills up fast. When I arrived a little after 9am/Thursday, the lot was almost full! There is a restroom. Day hikers must register at trailhead and overnight hikers must obtain a permit by the lottery system.

Colchuck Lake
I have hiked up to Colchuck Lake and snowshoed there before, so the route to the lake was not unfamiliar, but the trail gets steep and rocky as you go. The trail runs through the forest and you hike along a creek for the first half and cross two log bridges. About 2 miles in, you come to a Y section with trail signs on a tree - Colchuck Lake/Stuart Lake. Follow the trail to Colchuck Lake. The trail continues to climb steeply and gets really rocky and some sections have tree roots exposed. There are a couple of viewpoints (granite slabs) along the way. At about 4 miles, you reach the northwest side of the lake and the trail continues along the west side of the lake to the south shore.

Colchuck Lake is gorgeous and has a jaw-dropping scenery with jagged peaks surrounded. The water is so blue/green. The best view point of Colchuck Lake with Dragontail Peak and Colchuck Peak in the background is from the large granite slab about a hundred feet down to the lake from the toilet sign. I took a short break there enjoying the awesome view before continuing the hike to the south shore. You have a few options at Colchuck Lake....turn around and head back to trailhead, trek down to the beach on the north shore or hike to the south shore/beach. If you venture out toward the south side of the lake, you have another option to explore a small lake just west of Colchuck on the way to the south shore. To get to the south side of the lake, continue the main trail to the south along the west side of the lake. There are quite a few side trails branching out to camp sites, so pay attention to stay on the main trail. The trail eventually ends at the southwest end of the lake.

I guess it's up to personal preference, but in my opinion the view of the lake from the north is superior because the lake has a breathtaking backdrop of Drangontail Peak and Colchuck Peak to the south. However, either way, it's worth the effort to hike extra mile or so to reach the beach on the south shore. The beach is long enough to stroll back and forth.

Aasgard Pass
Colchuck Trail ends at the south shore of the lake. To reach the bottom (beginning) of Aasgard Pass, you can either trek down (rock hopping) to the beach or follow the rocky terrain marked with cairns towards Aasgard Pass.

Climbing route of Aasgard Pass begins in steep terrains of screes. Follow cairns and obvious traces of the route. Soon you start to see dirt exposed trail with switchbacks, and the route begins to climb very steeply gaining almost 2,000 feet in less than 1 mile. I found hiking poles useful, particularly when I was descending (saved my knees!). Although cairns are placed along the way, navigation skills are helpful for route finding. I noticed there are a few different routes leading up to the top of the pass. I read WTA's trail description and watched some YouTube clips to study the routes beforehand, and found ascending to the left of a cluster of the vegetation would be the best way. I actually tried two different routes as I ventured out to the right part of the way (the route close to the running stream) to see the waterfall. However, I soon realized it was steeper and eventually became impassable facing to big boulders at the waterfall. I had to trek back to the left again. So, I suggest to stay left as the trail description advises. I saw a mountain goat by the waterfall. He was munching grass and climbed up and down boulders. It was quite amazing to see the goat's athleticism before my eye! The trail relentlessly keeps going up and the climb seems endless!...and gets rockier and steeper. It also crosses the running stream a few times and a little scrambling (not so bad, no worries!) is needed for some sections for the last 1/3 of the climb. Just pace yourself and enjoy the view as you go. I know it's a metal challenge as well as physical. The higher you go, the better it gets. It took me 1.75 hrs to go up and 2 hrs to come down.

No pain, no gain. Celebrate and take in the breathtaking views from the top of Aasgard Pass at 7,800 feet....yahoo! What a view!! Before your eye are Colchuck Lake, Dragontail Peak, Colchuck Peak, Cashmere Mountain and Eightmile Mountain and high peaks of the mountain loop highway/Glacier Peak/Mt. Baker/N. Cascades range juxtapose on the northwestern skyline.

The Enchantments
This is one of the most magical landscapes I've seen. It reminds me of somewhat Sierra Crest - High Sierras, and yet it’s different. Towering peaks and granite rock formations, cirques, tarns/alpine lakes and crystal clear streams, glaciers and snowfields, tundra meadows and vegetation, wildlife and larches....none of them seem to exist there by themselves, but each element is needed, connected and synchronized by nature’s own ecosystem and cycles. Wow, is this real? Yes, indeed. One of John Muir's quotes sinks in: "When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe." It's something beyond description, something remarkably profound more than beautiful...."entrancing". I am glad the permit system is put in place to protect fragile ecosystems and reduce environmental impacts from potential human destruction and keep it wild and pristine.

Stopping by a little tarn (so green!) behind the pass, I began the journey to the Upper Enchantments. The main trail marked with cairns gently curves down toward Tranquil Lake and Isolation Lake. Moonscape-like landscape is just stunning…rocky and barren, but there is water here. The water of Isolation Lake is so clear and blue reflecting the sky. I scoped out the lake and crossed the snowfield a bit trekking toward the ridge of Dragontail (Witches Tower).

Leaving Isolation Lake behind, the trail gradually descends to an open plateau where small lakes and meadows are connected by streams. I could see Little Annapurna looming to the right and Prusik Peak on the eastern horizon. I saw two goats (mother and baby) on the lush alpine meadow where they were busy munching grass.

There is a snowfield to traverse on the way down to the next lower area where I experienced a little difficulty with route finding because somehow I couldn’t find (I missed?) cairns to guide me on. I had a GPS map on my phone, but didn’t provide me a clear clue for directions. Then, I saw a few backpackers traversing the other side of the snowfield. So, I followed their way. Right on! Back on track, I reached Crystal Lake's view point on the granite slab. The lake is deep blue and tucked in right by McClellan Peak and the Ingalls Creek valley down below.

The trail continues to drop down steeply and now I entered the Middle Enchantments. I noticed larches along the trail and their colors are slightly changing to light green/yellow. It’ll be spectacular to see golden larches in the Enchantments. Inspiration Lake looks very dramatic in such a deep blue color and surrounded by Enchantment Peak and massive granite walls with larches growing. Perfection Lake is also seen just down below in a short distance and Prusik Peak looms over the eastern skyline. At this point after 4 pm, I decided to turn around and head back to Aasgard Pass so that I would have enough time to descend the pass before sunset.

It took a little longer to descend the pass because of its steepness. Although the downhill was really exhausting (it took 2 hrs!), when I reached Colchuck Lake, I saw spectacular alpenglow over Aasgard Pass and peaks....wow! My exhaustion was almost gone when I saw that. I trekked on the beach back to catch the main trail and got back to trailhead around 10 pm....my legs were sore, to be honest! I’d like to go back to the Enchantments again to see fall colors and I’ll start the hike from Snow Lake trailhead instead. By doing so, I can get to see the Enchantments from lower to upper next time.

As a side note, I ran out of water right before descending Aasgard Pass....schmuck! :( Luckily I met a generous couple (Lizzy and Theo) at the pass who had a filter and gave me some of their water. THANK YOU, guys! You really saved my life, no kidding. Otherwise, without that, I might not have made it back to trailhead. So, I highly recommend bringing a filter for this hike unless you want to carry gallons of water. There are many lakes and streams in the Enchantments. Also, it would be wise to bring a headlamp and enough food and gear just in case. And, a map and a compass....you never know. Safe journey and happy hiking! :)

(L-R:clockwise) Mountain Goat on Aasgard Pass, Colchuck Lake seen from the half way up to Aasgard Pass, Little Annapurna, Larch turning colors, Crystal Lake with McClellan Peak, Prusik Peak with The Temple seen from the MIddle Enchantments; (center) Aasgard Pass.

The Middle Enchantments - Inspiration Lake with Enchantment Peak and Prusik Peak with The Temple over the eastern skyline.

Sunset view from Colchuck Lake south shore beach - alpenglow over Aasgard Pass.

Alpenglow at sunset over Aasgard Pass and peaks(Dragontail/far right) with Colchuck Lake in foreground and Cashmere Mountain in the distance.

Cascade Pass/Sahale Arm (Sahale Glacier Camp) - N. Cascades, WA

July 14, 2016

Welcome to a JURASSIC WORLD! Seriously, that was my reaction when I drove into the parking lot and the breathtaking landscape and scenery appeared before me....totally "jaw-dropping"! I had read and heard Cascade Pass hike is one of the top rated and must do hikes of N. Cascades, and now I believe it....I was totally blown away! With the trail moderately graded to reach the pass (3.7 miles/1,800' gain), this hike offers the whole nine yards....spectacular views of peaks and glaciers, waterfalls, lakes, wildflowers, wildlife and options for backcountry hikes and camping along with frontier history. I saw many different kinds of wildlife in this hike....marmots, pikas, chipmunks, deer, mountain goat and wild birds. If you pick one hike to do in N. Cascades, this is it! Beyond description. Period.

Road condition
From SR 20 at Marblemount, drive Cascade River Road for 23 miles to trailhead. The road is in good condition. You can see some major restoration works were done after a series of washout. The first half of the road is paved and the second half is dirt/gravel/washboard. The road gets narrow and has potholes for the last 6 miles, so pay attention as you go. Trailhead has a large parking lot with restroom.

Trail condition
Trail is in great shape in spite of heavy use. It has some wet and muddy spots here and there, but no major issue. However, if you hike in sneakers, chances are your feet may get wet. There are a couple of snow fields to cross near Cascade Pass. One of them is about 100' long on the steep gully. You can follow the boot tracks, but the snow could get slushy and slippery. I found my hiking poles helpful to balance. On the way to Doubtful Lake/Sahale Glacier Camp, there are a few snow fields (10' - 20' long) to traverse and some of them are forming a snow bridge with water running underneath. So, use caution when you cross. Trail/snow condition included in the short video below.

Cascade Pass
Trailhead's large parking lot fills up fast as this is a very popular destination for hiking, camping and backpacking. Even it was Thursday, the lot was pretty full when I arrived after 12/noon....and I saw more cars arriving. The trail ascends gently for the first 1/2 mile and then moderately steep grade begins to climb steadily with switchbacks through the forest. I liked the sound of waterfalls and streams keeping a good company all along. After 2 miles in, the views open up as the treeline thins out. Now you are looking at the same breathtaking vista from a higher vantage point. Stunning! At 3 miles, the trail levels out through meadows. Wildflowers are blooming! And the views of the jagged mountains get even better as you go. After the meadows, the trail comes along the hillside (scree) partially covered with snow. The snow field to cross is about 100' long and you can follow boot tracks. It may get slushy/slippery, so just use caution.

Take in the grand vistas from Cascade Pass. The pass is a gateway to connect different paths traveling in all directions. Frontier traders used to use the pass in the past, and today hikers and backpackers (....and wildlife, too!). Views to north and west are the ragged Cascade range as you see along the hike. Facing southeast is looking towards Stehekin over 30 miles away from the pass which is a remote community only accessible on foot, by ferry or seaplane. In fact, I was in Stehekin 2 weeks ago and had a great hike there. Looking east, you can see a trail going up towards Sahale Arm.

Sahale Arm (Sahale Glacier Camp)
You have a few options for hiking from the pass. You can turn around and head back to the parking lot, or you can venture towards Stehekin, or continue another 2 miles/2,100' gain to reach Sahale Glacier Camp. My goal was to hike up to Sahale Glacier, so I took that route from the pass.

From the pass, follow the trail sign which says Stehekin. Soon you come to another sign/intersecion which says Sahale Arm/Stehekin. Go left/Sahale Arm at the post. The trail to Sahale Arm gets steep and rocky once you leave Cascade Pass. Some snow fields are en route, but not hard to cross. Just use caution to traverse the snow field forming a snow bridge. There are wet and muddy spots along the trail, but no biggie.....keep "minimum impact" in mind, however, if you have to veer around. As the trail climbs steadily with switchbacks, the views get better and better....WOW! You can see Cascade Pass down below with the great wall of all the jagged mountain peaks facing you.

Trekking up the hillside for one mile from the pass, you come to the trail sign of Doubtful Lake. I took a quick look at the lake from above, and continued on the journey towards Sahale Arm. The trail leads you on to the saddle stretching up to Sahale. It's beautiful green meadows with wildflowers.....and also it's a haven for marmots! There are so many marmots on the meadows. I lost counts how many marmots I saw! They surprised me as I surprised them!? After passing the meadows, the trail gets steeper and the scree rockier for the last 1/2 or so. At one point, the trail disappears and gets a little sketchy due to scree/loose rocks covering over trail, but there are cairns to guide you to stay on track.

Enjoy the views from Sahale Glacier Camp! Splendid! Another WOW moment (how many wows so far?) At 7,600 elevation, you have sweeping vistas of N. Cascades range and beyond as far as you can see....and Sahale Arm looms over you across the glacier. Johannesburg Mountain, Cascade Peak, Magic Mountain, Trapper Mountain, Glory Mountain, Eldorado Peak, Forbidden Peak, Mount Formidable, Spider Mountain, LeConte Mountain.....these are the names of the peaks I just learned with this hike. McGregor Mountain near Stehekin was also seen in the southern skyline. And, guess who came to greet me out of the blue? Wow, mountain goat! Five of them....they looked like a family(?) because I noticed a baby goat with them.

There are many beautiful hikes in N. Cascades. If I were asked to pick one best hike among of all, Cascade Pass/Sahale Arm would be the one no doubt. Put this hike on your hiking list if you haven't hiked it yet. You'll be blown away! I highly recommend this hike with lots of WOWs. Happy hiking! :)

Marmot Pass/Buckhorn Mountain - Olympic Peninsula, WA

Absolutely FANTASTIC hike! Spectacular views of mountains, bursting wildflowers and mountain goats. Although the hiking distance and elevation gain may kick your butt - 5.3 miles/3,500 ft gain for Marmot Pass or 6.3 miles/4,500 ft gain for Marmot Pass and Buckhorn Mountain, it is totally worth the effort....the reward is jaw-dropping 360 views of Olympic mountains, Cascade range, Puget Sound (yes, you can see Seattle!), San Juans and beyond. I hear people make a special overnight trip to Marmot Pass for July 4th to view Seattle's fireworks.

Marmot Pass
The trail is in good condition and smooth sailing. There are some wet and muddy spots, but not a big deal. Blowdowns are cleared thanks to WTA's work. The first mile or so into the journey is a gentle grade and soon the trail begins to ascend steadily through the forest. It's a pleasant hike along Big Quilcene River and the sound of the stream is really soothing. At 2.6 miles you reach Shelter Rock Camp which is adjacent to the creek and it's a good place for a short break. I saw some Rhododendron on the way, but they are mostly done for the season now.

The trail continues to climb and the view opens up soon after Shelter Rock Camp and sky-scraping mountain peaks come into sight. Wildflowers are abundant along the trail from this point on. Look up to the gullies of Buckhorn and Iron Mountains for stunning views of the towering boulders.

At 4.6 miles, you pass Camp Mystery. Camp Mystery seems a very cozy camp site and tucked in by a creek nearby and a meadow along the trail. Marmot Pass is less than a mile from here, so chin up and keep going. The trail travels through a small meadow before ascending switchbacks which take you up to a vast open meadow. From the meadow Marmot Pass is seen on top of the saddle across the meadow. Follow the last stretch of the trail up to Marmot Pass as Buckhorn Mountain and wildflowers greet you.

Take in the gorgeous views from Marmot Pass....Olympic mountains, Buckhorn Mountain, Puget Sound and open meadow down below. There are small patches of snow here and there on the pass, but it's easy to cross. Although views from Marmot Pass are beautiful, if you want to get even better and jaw-dropping views of the Olympic range and Puget Sound with Cascade peaks, hike up to Buckhorn Mountain.

Buckhorn Mountain
The trail climbs steeply from Marmot Pass. It's about a mile to the summit. There are two steep sections en route....at the beginning and at the end where you ascend the summit block. The middle section of the route is a gentle grade on Buckhorn's saddle. The steep switchbacks at the beginning and at the summit block are dirt and scree and a little slippery, so be careful. I found hiking poles were helpful. The views get better and better as you ascend....Mt. Rainier and Mt. Baker show up in the skyline and the entire Puget Sound is visible. More peaks deep inside of the Olympic range show up, too. Wow!

There are two peaks on the summit block. Enjoy the jaw-dropping views sweeping all directions. Olympic mountains (I wish I knew all the names of the Olympic mountains!), Mt. Rainier, Mt. Baker, N. Cascades, Puget Sound, San Juans, and beyond. And, it was a special treat that I also saw a family of mountain goats. They were trekking along the trail on Buckhorn.

I am so glad that I did Marmot Pass/Buckhorn Mountain hike, and I do agree with other trip reports....put this hike on your must do hikes on the Olympic Peninsula! It's epically amazing. I highly recommend. Two thumbs up!!! :)

By the way, FR 27 (paved) has dips and bumpy spots here and there, and there are quite a few potholes on FR 2750 (unpaved). So, just pay attention as you proceed. Happy hiking!

Mt. Ellinor - Olympic Peninsula, WA

Obviously, this hike is so popular that parts of the trail could get congested with traffic. Also, I was surprised to see many family hikers with small children trekking up all the way to the top. Believe me, this is NOT an easy hike. In fact, it's rather strenuous. And yet, it's worth the effort. 

I started my journey from Upper trailhead which climbs about 2,500 ft in 1.6 miles. It starts out with a series of merciless switchbacks through the forest.....some of the trees are really TALL! Once the tree line thins out, rocky trail begins, which eventually makes you feel like a mountain goat. It certainly kicks your butt! 

To speak of mountain goats, I saw five of them in this hike. They seem to be good-natured, but it is advised to stay calm and keep a safe distance from them. You never know how aggressive or even lethal they can be. After all, they are wild animals. 

When it's a clear day, the view from the summit is spectacular. Wild flowers are just beginning. I saw glacier lilies for the first time in this season.

 

3.2 miles RT (Upper trail)

2,500 ft elevation gain

 

Mountain goat at Panorama Point, Mt. Rainier, WA

Mountain Goat at Panorama Point, Mt. Rainier, WA

October 25, 2009

It was one of the surprising and lucky hikes on Mt. Rainier that we saw a mountain goat near Panorama Point.  I heard autumn would be one of the best times to be able to see mountain goats because they often come down to lower elevation where vegetation is still available before winter hibernation. We spotted one by chance....it was rather big and busy munching.  The site where we spotted it was right below the outhouse at Panorama Point at 6,700'.

On the way up to Panorama Point from Glacier Vista, we spotted a big furry object off the trail.

  

It was a mountain Goat!

 

It was HUGE!

 

 

 Spectacular fall color at Paradise.  

        

Paradise Valley and Tatoosh range.                                                                Skyline Trail from Paradise.

Seracs are visible in Nisqually Glacier.

Hikers on Skyline Trail. Down below in the valley is Nisqually River and HWY 706 bridge.

 Pebble Creek at 7,200'. Tatoosh range is in background.