COLCHUCK LAKE | 2 SEP

Three years of living in Washington and I finally made it to Colchuck Lake and experienced part of the Enchantments. Earlier this year I was invited to join a group of coworkers to hike the Enchantments via Snow Lakes. Four days and three nights. Our plan was to go as far as the group could go into the Upper Core. So, the week before, I decided to hike the section I would not be seeing during our backpacking trip.

By the time I reached the parking lot, it was full (no surprise—Labor Day weekend). I ended up parking maybe a quarter mile down the road.

The trail is gradual until it is not…and then it is nothing but up. While the elevation gain was no where near enjoyable, it was better than what I had been told by other hikers. The majority of the trail runs through forest, some areas denser than others.