[DIYSteve]

Anita, Joyce, Ted and Andy joined me for the 4th annual schlep-your-butts-through-the-Enchantments-in-a-day larch trip on Saturday. Past participants Marlis, Jeanie and ultrarunning legend Lynn begged out, citing threats of snow and/or scheduling conflicts. Commencing at 0650, we donned the headlamps for a few minutes and steadily hiked up (and shuffled a few flat spots) to Colchuck Lake, passing (I now believe to be) Shadow, mtn.climber and dihidino along the way, who appeared to be enjoying themselves. We, like the others, were in search of these:

larch

We reached Asgaard Pass in c. 3 hours -- pretty swift for we old goats -- via a snow-free route with fewer icy spots than in previous years.

ted steve asgaard

We started a slow shuffle through the upper basin, interrupted by frequent view breaks, encountering just a bit o' snow:

bit of snow

The larches in the lonely upper basin appeared to be a week or so past prime, but nonetheless sublime:

larches

We continued our languid pace past Brasingamen Lakelets, encountering several ascending groups as we worked our way down the flank of Talisman Lake towards the lower basin. The sun burned off the overcast as we trotted the sublime larch yellow trail on margin of Rune Lake, amid peaking larches,

yellow trail

and we continued down the slabs towards Leprechaun Lake.

slabs

Unwilling to leave the plateau so soon, we paused at the Viviane outlet where we filled our vessels (thanks to friendly backpackers who lent us their filter), shed some clothes and snugged up our shoes for the descent of Trauma Rib

trauma rib

to the Snow Lake bone yard.

snow lake wood pile

We jogged the trail down to the Snow Creek TH, which, as always, seemed interminable, finishing together, followed by the car shuttle, and beers, brats and the festive tunes of Happy Hans at Oktoberfest. Total time: 8:07 (a few minutes slower than v.1 and v.2). Great day with good friends. Looking forward to v.5!