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Matt Tea, Earl Grey, Hot
Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 4307 | TRs | Pics Location: Shoreline |
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Matt
Tea, Earl Grey, Hot
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Wed Oct 17, 2007 12:36 am
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“Mmm, I like that… Ahh, that’s good, that’s so good… Oh, wow, even better… Yes. Oh, yes, yes! Oh My God! WOW!”
That’s what my breathless exclamations sounded like for hours, as I paused only long enough for a few more photos, and then pushed on to one climax after another, more than I would have imagined possible.
That would be photos of larches, and scenic climaxes, of course. But I’m not exaggerating about how it was an ecstatic experience, thrilling for both my senses and my spirit.
Honestly, the hours we spent high in the Enchantments today were the single most beautiful time I’ve ever spent in the mountains.
Isolation Lake Crystal Lake Inspiration Lake Perfection Lake Leprechaun Lake Lake Viviane Larches
I’ve always wanted to see the high larch country in its full imperial regalia of white, gold, and blue. But the October weather rarely cooperates to give me colors, snow, and sunshine all at the same time.
And even better to have it in the Enchantments, with the soaring granite etching the sky and the sculpted lakes reflecting it all. But usually it’s difficult to get in there at the right time.
Today it all came together like a fantasy in real life – clear skies, warm sun, crisp air, fresh snow, high peaks, deep lakes, and all of it accented by rows and rows of glowing gold larches.
When I went to bed at night, I could still see afterimages of the larches shining in my mind, their bright colors marching up the hillsides, stretching along the trails, reflecting in the lakes.
Together with Dayhike Mike & Tom, we did the trip as a through trip from the Colchuck trailhead to the Snow Lakes trailhead. The 18-mile, 15-hour trip made for a steep dark beginning and a long dark ending, but the middle was well worth it.
So let the pictures tell the rest of the story:
Beginning in starry darkness at 5:20am, we hiked to Colchuck Lake, then up to the top of frosty, shadowed Aasgard Pass.
Jack Ridge Aasgard Pass, Dragontail, & Colchuck Col Colchuck Lake Midway up Aasgard Mike & Tom ascending Aasgard
The Upper Enchantments Basin was brimming with snow and sunlight.
First sunlit larch Dragontail Ridge Isolation Lake Tranquil Lake Tranquil Lake Shoreline
Overlooking Crystal Lake:
Crystal Lake Crystal Lake, McClellan, & Nightmare Needles Crystal Lake Closeup
The Lower Enchantments Basin:
Perfection, Sprite, & Leprechaun Lower Basin & Wedge Mike & Tom Traveling
Inspiration Lake:
Inspiration, Perfection & Temple Tom & Mike descending to Inspiration Inspiration Shoreline
Perfection Inlet:
Frozen head of Perfection looking toward Prussik Peak Tom by Perfection Inlet Frozen Head of Perfection looking toward Little Annapurna
Perfection Lake:
Perfection Wavy little larches along the shore Matt at Perfection
Perfection Outlet:
Perfection Island Perfection Island & Little Annapurna Perfection Outlet
Sprite Lake:
Sprite & Temple Sprite Outlet
Between Sprite & Leprechaun:
Mike & Tom relaxing on the slabs Big Larch Stream leading to Leprechaun
Leprechaun Lake:
Leprechaun Leprechaun Outlet
Lake Viviane:
Prussik Peak & Lake Viviane Viviane cliffs Viviane Shoreline reflection
Descending into Snow Creek Valley:
Snow Lakes from Above into Snow Creek Valley Falling Into Shadow
The Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery had drained Snow Lake to an astonishing extent. Note the hiker in the first picture – the lake is down something like 50 feet!
Hiker at Snow Lake Inlet Mike hiking across the exposed lakebed Looking back up Snow Lake
Beyond Snow Lake, it was another long 6.5 miles out to reach the trailhead at 8:20pm. We could see four headlamps of climbers still high on the Snow Creek wall after dark. Walking through the burned out forest at the end, the stars again spangled brilliant patterns across a pitch-black sky.
Along the way, I also was invigorated by swimming in three of the lakes. My thanks to Mike & Tom for their patience.
Inspiration Swim – surprisingly comfortable and refreshing Perfection Swim – colder than I expected Leprechaun Swim – somewhat cold, but a very comfortable stone ramp for warming up
Trip stats: 15 hours, 18 miles, 5400 gain, 7600 descent, 0 summits, 3 lakes swum, 11 lakes photographed, countless larches enjoyed, satisfaction 100%.
“As beacons mountains burned at evening.” J.R.R. Tolkien
“As beacons mountains burned at evening.” J.R.R. Tolkien
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seawallrunner dilettante
Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 3307 | TRs | Pics Location: Lotusland |
you photos are Oh Wow Awesome!
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kleet meat tornado
Joined: 06 Feb 2002 Posts: 5303 | TRs | Pics Location: O no they dih ent |
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kleet
meat tornado
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Wed Oct 17, 2007 7:01 am
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Wow, Enchantments overload!! Thanks for the great TR and pics, Matt. Always good to see a trip from another set of eyes. So what's taking DHM so long?
A fuxk, why do I not give one?
A fuxk, why do I not give one?
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reststep Member
Joined: 17 Dec 2001 Posts: 4757 | TRs | Pics
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reststep
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Wed Oct 17, 2007 7:07 am
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Wow way to take advantage of the weather.
Great report and pictures.
You mean Dayhike Mike did not go swimming? Oh well he has probably already swum in all of those lakes many times.
"The mountains are calling and I must go." - John Muir
"The mountains are calling and I must go." - John Muir
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ree Member
Joined: 29 Jun 2004 Posts: 4399 | TRs | Pics
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ree
Member
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Wed Oct 17, 2007 7:32 am
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Matt wrote: | “Mmm, I like that… Ahh, that’s good, that’s so good… Oh, wow, even better… Yes. Oh, yes, yes! Oh My God! WOW!” |
Aaaah. The REAL reason for the cold swims. Bet the three of you had some real good times.
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Matt Tea, Earl Grey, Hot
Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 4307 | TRs | Pics Location: Shoreline |
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Matt
Tea, Earl Grey, Hot
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Wed Oct 17, 2007 7:40 am
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Oops, I finished the report late at night and posted it without checking the other reports to notice that Tom had already posted a report.
“As beacons mountains burned at evening.” J.R.R. Tolkien
“As beacons mountains burned at evening.” J.R.R. Tolkien
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kyle d Member
Joined: 03 Jun 2007 Posts: 521 | TRs | Pics Location: Ogden, UT |
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kyle d
Member
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Wed Oct 17, 2007 8:18 am
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Matt, great meeting you guys on the trail, and I certainly agree with your assessment of the conditions (wow!). We are impressed by your swimming exploits.
Here are a few of my pics from the same day:
mount Stuart in the morning Mount Cashmere reflected in Colchuck Lake Larches in front of Dragontail in the Enchantments near Aasguard Pass Lone larch with Dragontail as a backdrop near Aasguard Pass Larches in the Enchantment Basin, Dragontail in the background. Larches in the Enchantment Basin Larches in the Enchantments Karissa and Dragontail Perfection Lake in the Enchantments Sunlight filters through the water with snow and larches in the background. Larches in the Lower Enchantments Enchantments View Enchantments View Enchantments View Enchantments View Vivian reflection Larches reflecting in Lake Vivian
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wildernessed viewbagger
Joined: 31 Oct 2004 Posts: 9275 | TRs | Pics Location: Wenatchee |
Awesome pics ! last year we were up there in the waning days of October, there was no snow cover at all, the next day the area got hammered with snow. Looks like the snow is here to stay and going to add up this week.
Living in the Anthropocene
Living in the Anthropocene
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GeoTom Member
Joined: 19 May 2005 Posts: 3215 | TRs | Pics Location: Earth |
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GeoTom
Member
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Wed Oct 17, 2007 8:33 am
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I was ecstatic to view these pictures
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dicey custom title
Joined: 11 May 2004 Posts: 2870 | TRs | Pics Location: giving cornices a wider berth |
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dicey
custom title
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Wed Oct 17, 2007 10:41 am
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Quark Niece of Alvy Moore
Joined: 15 May 2003 Posts: 14152 | TRs | Pics
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Quark
Niece of Alvy Moore
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Wed Oct 17, 2007 11:05 am
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Wow!
Marry me, Matt!
"...Other than that, the post was more or less accurate."
Bernardo, NW Hikers' Bureau Chief of Reporting
"...Other than that, the post was more or less accurate."
Bernardo, NW Hikers' Bureau Chief of Reporting
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naturealbeing Member
Joined: 05 Dec 2004 Posts: 1565 | TRs | Pics Location: Great Mystery |
Location, location, location, timing is everything, and a good eye for detail, along with beautiful weather makes for an incredible experience for all. Thanks for sharing Matt.
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Dean (aka CascadeHiker)
Joined: 02 Mar 2002 Posts: 1967 | TRs | Pics Location: ex Kennewick, Wa & Lehi Utah |
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Dean
(aka CascadeHiker)
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Wed Oct 17, 2007 11:35 am
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You guys struck pure gold on your traverse. Great pics
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Tom Admin
Joined: 15 Dec 2001 Posts: 17851 | TRs | Pics
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Tom
Admin
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Wed Oct 17, 2007 12:40 pm
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Great shots.
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El Dooder Green Earth Bum
Joined: 15 Jul 2007 Posts: 240 | TRs | Pics Location: Olympia, Washington |
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El Dooder
Green Earth Bum
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Wed Oct 17, 2007 12:43 pm
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ooh ahh
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