Enchantments Loop

Dekartes · Oct 9, 2023

If anyone is thinking of this loop the distance was 23 miles, 7k up and 9k down with the side trips I took off the main trail. Honestly though - it is really easy access and not as bad as that sounds. The down does put a beating on your knees. There are some other side trips I would like to take, but daylight is obviously limited this time of year. I was out for an even 12 hours. Could have snuck in one other side trip probably and still came down in daylight.

Buzzy · Oct 9, 2023

Dekartes said:
If anyone is thinking of this loop the distance was 23 miles, 7k up and 9k down with the side trips I took off the main trail. Honestly though - it is really easy access and not as bad as that sounds. The down does put a beating on your knees. There are some other side trips I would like to take, but daylight is obviously limited this time of year. I was out for an even 12 hours. Could have snuck in one other side trip probably and still came down in daylight.

3.2 miles short of a marathon, beautiful country, thanks for sharing.

Brian in OR. · Oct 9, 2023

How in the heck did you have any time to fish?.....

Dekartes · Oct 9, 2023

Walk fast. Run some.

Actually got some good fishing in. Would have liked more - but I'll take what I got. You would have some great opportunities up there if you actually got a camping permit. I'll be dead before I get another one. It's about a 1% chance now.

Florida Man · Oct 9, 2023

My buddy, wife, and I had 27 submissions before we were finally drawn. That was before COVID. Could only imagine how nuts it would be to get drawn now. Beautiful photos.

Dekartes · Oct 10, 2023

For sure. This year over 40,000 people tried... 40,000....

Scott Salzer · Oct 10, 2023

Thanks for sharing your trip. Excellent pics.

Salmo_g · Oct 10, 2023

Never hiked into the Enchantments. Would love to, but that "permit" thing. So you're one of the many who have taken to doing it as a day hike, huh? Wish I had that kind of speed. I checked this spring, and I'm now 1/2 to 3/4 mph slower than I used to hike, dammit!

Dekartes · Oct 10, 2023

I am convinced the day hiking will be regulated too... There really are too many people doing this loop (many really unaware of what they are getting into). I staged up at 430am and there were probably 150 people getting going at that time! I think part of that was the weather, the larches, Oktoberfest, etc... I passed about 50 on the way to Aasgard in the dark. It never felt crowded for me as after I hit the core I did a lot of backcountry areas. I can't imagine what it was like if you started at 7am. I passed another couple hundred heading down past Snow Lakes back to the trailhead. If you time this thing wrong you will be in a congo line. I enjoyed it and will probably do it again; but not on the weekend.

RCF · Oct 11, 2023

Dayum! That many people doing day hikes is having a tremendous amount of environmental impact. Such a shame! If they stopped day hikes today it would take decades to recover, if ever.

I went up there numerous times in the 70's. Even then there concerns of environmental impact.