[contour5]

All of the above. Borrow your brothers ID, along with the permit. Wear a wig if you have to. Colored contact lenses, high-end cosmetics and plastic surgery are just a few of the tools you can use to terraform yourself a new identity. Or, you could just show up for the magic hat. I'm 8 for 8, on the first try every single time. I always went in with the idea that I could just dayhike and try again the next day, if I failed at the hat, but I drew a core permit every time. Weekdays are best. I've been accosted by trail monitors at Snow Lakes who were straight up gangster in their intensity; I don't even like going that way any more. Aside from that one incident I've had pretty minimal contact with forest service personnel or volunteers in the Enchantments, and it's always been pleasant and hassle free when I did cross paths with them.

[Randito]

[GroundGuru]

Haha thanks for all the replies guys. I'm just going to edit in the alternate leader and go.. Sounds like I should be ok.

[Damian]

I was opposed to the permit system when it was implemented. Much progress had been made without it. And with a name change from the lovely Enchantments to Crotch Divide the there would have been less draw. But here we are. And the folks managing it are good people and likely tired of the many games they've seen played by now. I say work with them. Though that was not my attitude earlier in life.

[GroundGuru]

I'm not opposed to the permit system but it's a bit too rigid if I cannot get my name added as alternate when we share the same last name. It's not like my brother is selling the permit. I'll call again today and maybe I can get a less rigid ranger but I feel their hands are tied by the recreation.gov permit system

[hbb]

[CarriesNineFires]

Seems selfish and shameful to make your own rules, especially in such a fragile and heavily-used area, when you could just go almost anywhere else and be subject to zero permit issues. Also, aren't you going to be embarrassed if you're caught, or do you feel comfortable playing dumb as you lie to the ranger? Basically, your plan is the equivalent of cutting a switchback because the trail isn't to your liking. The moral and ethical consequences are as profound as the tangible damage done. Others will do it too, and do you want to be a part of that crowd? I would recommend finding another place to go, and go back to the Enchantments another time.

[Cyclopath]

How is he doing unspeakable damage by being there? They issued a permit for 2 and 1 is going. If he's destroying the place by his presence there, they need to stop issuing permits at all.

[Chief Joseph]

IMO their permit system is flawed, why can’t they have an alternate trip leader in cases such as this? So if a group of say 6 has a trip planned and the trip leader has to cancel, then everyone is SOL? Doesn’t seem right.

[GroundGuru]

[CarriesNineFires]

[GroundGuru]

[Randito]

[GroundGuru]

[Pahoehoe]

You are allowed to add several trip leaders.. three, I think? You can edit participants up til the last minute and it is really clear that you cannot make changes after you print the permit. I see Carrie's point. Its frusterating but rules have reasons...