Forum Index > Trail Talk > Rat Creek - Descent from the Enchantments?
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Dean
(aka CascadeHiker)



Joined: 02 Mar 2002
Posts: 1967 | TRs | Pics
Location: ex Kennewick, Wa & Lehi Utah
Dean
(aka CascadeHiker)
PostMon Mar 18, 2002 12:10 pm 
I've been in and out of the Enchantments just about every way possible but I've never been down the Rat Creek route. Anyone have personal experience with this route? Also, anyone ever catch any fish in Coney Lake?

Dean - working in Utah for awhile and feeling like it is a 'paid' vacation. http://www.summitpost.org/user_page.php?user_id=1160
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Tom
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Joined: 15 Dec 2001
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Tom
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PostMon Mar 18, 2002 1:51 pm 
This old thread might be helpful. Make sure you read the first page of that thread about the road closure too.

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Dean
(aka CascadeHiker)



Joined: 02 Mar 2002
Posts: 1967 | TRs | Pics
Location: ex Kennewick, Wa & Lehi Utah
Dean
(aka CascadeHiker)
PostMon Mar 18, 2002 2:57 pm 
Tom, the old thread is very helpful, especially Ibex's post. I've been out Toketie and up and out of the chute from Coney (never saw any fish in the lake at all, that's why I ask'd although others may have had success in Coney) I don't recommend the Toketie nor the Coney route (not at my age anyway) and I've been in via Crystal Creek from Ingalls Creek but I can honestly say, I've never talked or met anyone who has ever been in or out via Rat Creek.

Dean - working in Utah for awhile and feeling like it is a 'paid' vacation. http://www.summitpost.org/user_page.php?user_id=1160
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Dean
(aka CascadeHiker)



Joined: 02 Mar 2002
Posts: 1967 | TRs | Pics
Location: ex Kennewick, Wa & Lehi Utah
Dean
(aka CascadeHiker)
PostMon Mar 18, 2002 4:32 pm 
I did this route in 72 so here's what I remember. It was 7 miles or so from the Ingalls Creek Trailhead to where Crystal Creek crosses the trail (or visa versa) It is non technical but tedious. We (there were three of us) took most of the day doing it and there were times when we followed the creek, times when we followed game trails, times when we followed a faint path of previous hikers. Brush, talus slopes and at times lack of water (you could hear it but not get to it). I think the worst part was the last bit up to Crystal. You'd go up two feet and slide back one (Mt St Helens all over again). We actually had planned to go to Ingalls Lake so when we got out of the Enchantments, we had to find a hitch back to the Ingalls Creek trailhead so I'd plan on two cars if you ever decide to give it a go.

Dean - working in Utah for awhile and feeling like it is a 'paid' vacation. http://www.summitpost.org/user_page.php?user_id=1160
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Backpacker Joe
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Joined: 16 Dec 2001
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Location: Cle Elum
Backpacker Joe
Blind Hiker
PostMon Mar 18, 2002 4:39 pm 
I'd like to hear the story of the route in/out via toketie? I love that area, and have often wanted to enter/exit that way. Here is a shield lake photo ahla clear sky.

"If destruction be our lot we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen we must live through all time or die by suicide." — Abraham Lincoln
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Damian
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Damian
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PostMon Mar 18, 2002 6:05 pm 
TB you have one heck of a photo collection. Nice shots.

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Dean
(aka CascadeHiker)



Joined: 02 Mar 2002
Posts: 1967 | TRs | Pics
Location: ex Kennewick, Wa & Lehi Utah
Dean
(aka CascadeHiker)
PostMon Mar 18, 2002 6:14 pm 
Backpacker Joe: I've only been out Toketie although Ibex, in his post, gives a good description of going in that way. The first time out was in 72 and Toketie lake was a really nice little lake, completely ringed with trees and bushes. We followed the Becky route description (or tried to) and ended up making our own way and eventually we ended coming out just above the bridge on Snow Creek. The second time out was in 98 and my son and I found that the fire of 94 had altered all of Toketie creek making it a lot different than I had remember'd.. It wasn't quite as nice. We descended via the creek and it was a tough go as the fire had made a mess of this drainage and lots of new brush had grown up . We came out where we could cross some logs and access the snow creek trail. I actually think it would be easier to go up it than down. I have gotten to the point where I could spend almost all my time in the Stuart range since I love this area so much, especially the Enchantments. BTW, nice pic of Shields and Earle-Mesa lakes

Dean - working in Utah for awhile and feeling like it is a 'paid' vacation. http://www.summitpost.org/user_page.php?user_id=1160
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MtnGoat
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Joined: 17 Dec 2001
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Location: Lyle, WA
MtnGoat
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PostMon Mar 18, 2002 6:20 pm 
hey bp, you gotta a higher res pic of that photo of shield? That one is too small, when I use it for desktop wallpaper it's all grainy and nasty, and it's all your fault! eek.gif Admin Note: Please email any such large hi res files to the interested party - we have lots of space for uploads and hope to keep it that way wink.gif eek.gif suuure.gif. File uploads are limited to 250K.

Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock. - Will Rogers
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MounTAIN Woman
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MounTAIN Woman
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PostMon Mar 18, 2002 7:19 pm 
To Damian: Check out Washington Trails website for a trip report, use "Crystal Creek" as the search string. My partner and I went in there last year to climb McMillan Peak. Some things you may want to know before you head in. I can tell you it's a haul! Good luck! cool.gif

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Backpacker Joe
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Joined: 16 Dec 2001
Posts: 23956 | TRs | Pics
Location: Cle Elum
Backpacker Joe
Blind Hiker
PostMon Mar 18, 2002 7:35 pm 
Mr. Goat. Give me your email address and I'll send you a big one! Here is my wallpaper!

"If destruction be our lot we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen we must live through all time or die by suicide." — Abraham Lincoln
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