Ross Lake on Fourth of July weekend.
It just so happened that we lucked out this year - again - with permits to go over the Enchantments. I've been fortunate enough to hike the Enchantments three times previously, but this year, with permits and four days to spend over the 4th of July, I was hoping
Thomas even made it back to Seattle from Kansas City.
However, the luckiness of snagging an elusive permit met the dumb luck of getting it during one of the most snow heavy summer's we've ever seen met in a maelstrom of shittiness. With one week left until backpacking time, there was still 3-5 feet of snow in the Enchantments. So we were left scrambling for alternatives.
Inspiration strikes in the form of a boat ride.
Remembering that Ross Lake was snow free, we decided that we would tackle the 32 mile East Bank route. The plan was a four day, 8 mile a day liesurely stroll through one of the most pristine national parks in the country. Not bad for a Plan B. We would keep to our Sunday through Wednesday schedule and hope that we could sneak in on the busy holiday weekend.
Thomas takes in the scenery. No Canadian chicks to be found.
We booked a boat from Ross Lake resort, with the idea that we would start at the north end of Ross Lake, near Hozomeen. When we arrived at the Wilderness Information Center, we found that we were lucky - had we arrived on Saturday, we would not have found a single campsite open in the park. However, being one day later on Sunday, a few openings were to be found. Unfortunately, this meant that our day one hike of 8 miles would be stretched - considerably.
Ross Lake, as it appears once we round Desolation Peak.
Having packed for four liesurely days of hiking, I don't think we were quite prepared for the 20 mile day one that followed. 20 miles with a backpack - the first major backpack of the season and the longest single day for all four of us on the trip, was asking a lot. However it was between that and a swamped out camp site, so we chose to press on all the way around Desolation Peak and into Lightning Creek campground along the lake. A second day was booked at the same camp site, so we could rest and use the extra day to day hike up Desolation Lookout - a 4,100 foot climb over 7 miles.
The view atop Desolation Peak.
On the second day, Thomas and John stayed behind to relax, while Jayson and I tackled the peak. After the 20 miles the previous day, adding another 14 up hill was a bit of a stretch, but well worth it.
John nearing Lightning Creek.
As tough as the first two days were though, that night for me, was the reason I deal with it all. Friends, a camp fire, silly jokes, and well, booze. The sorrow I felt for John's heavy load was countered by discovering that about five pounds of it consisted of liquor. Thanks buddy!
Crappy lightroom job not withstanding, it was a great view.
The third day was a hike all along the lake. A beautiful, warm sunny day and now that it was the fifth of July and the mortals returned to work, we had the whole lake to itself. Another 12 miles would find us at the Roland Point campground.
The beach at lightning creek.
Roland Point was near a river and heavily wooded, which lent itself well for mosquitos. We countered with bush tactics - smoking pine needles cleared the campsite and deet kept them out. The next morning would bring us the last 12 miles to the parking lot and from there, we hoped to hitch a ride the 5 miles back to our car.
Jayson atop the peak.
We were lucky as we had passed a couple the day before and ran into them again on the way back. After some general greetings, we asked if they could give one of us a lift. Thankfully, they agreed. It would have been a long hike back.
Devil's Creek bridge
So if you would have told me that 1) we wouldn't be able to hike the Enchantments and 2) I would have to put in over 50 miles of hiking in four days, I would have had a hard time guessing that it would have turned out to be a fantastic, memorable trip. But you know, it was. The saying goes that a good trip is one that tests your comfort zone and gives you a challenge that you could feel proud about making and this one would qualify. It had been a couple years since hiking over 100 miles in the Wonderland, but even that was over 8 days. Figuring out a four day, 50 miler with only 3 days to plan, and having it turn out to be awesome? Well, that's a legendary experience in my book.
Danger zone!
So, here's hoping that next year the Enchantments finally work out for Thomas. In the meantime though, I'll take my Plan B.
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