SecretAcres: Backpack to Lower Enchantments on 9-7-12

Ted and I had an amazing opportunity to backpack the lower

Enchantments in Leavenworth, Washington. For several years I have been putting into the Enchantment lottery to be able to camp in the core of the Enchantments. But have never gotten it. So Ted and I decided to take our chances and go see if we could get a permit. A certain number of permits are allowed for lottery each morning at the Park Ranger's office in Leavenworth. We put in for Snow Lakes as we felt we would have a better opportunity for that one as so many people wanted the Enchantment Core. There was another person who put in for Snow Lakes also. When the ranger picked our name, we were so excited. It was the beginning of an amazing journey into the lower Enchantments!

We backpacked about 7.5 miles the first day close to the Upper Snow Lakes. It was a long day, but so happy to finally set up camp. It was quiet where we camped, no crowds, very peaceful! And the Lake was amazing!!! We had a great view of The Temple rock formations.

The next day, we took our time getting up and having breakfast and basking in the beautiful scenery. Then got ready for our trip up the lower Enchantments. Happy we did not have full packs because Ted had to practically lift me up on some of the boulders we had to climb. We ran into a couple of goats. They kept watching us, but never bothered us. Pretty cute!

When we got to Lake Viviane, it was so beautiful! So very clear. Hard to describe how beautiful it was. Just wanted to stay there all day, but knew there was more awesomeness up and down the trail. We did run into some backpackers who had come up from Aasgard Pass and had camped in the upper Enchantments and were slowly coming back. Want to do that some day. We also ran into a group of nurses who worked together. They sure had huge packs! They were struggling! I think it was more than they expected.

After hiking to Leprechaun, Sprite and Perfection Lake, it was time to go back. Did not want to come back in the dark. So we reluctantly came back with lots of beautiful pictures in our minds of where we had just been. We spent another night at Snow Lakes. We had a nice nights sleep until we woke up to people talking and walking around in the dark. It was finally quiet, we thought they must have found a spot to camp. In the morning, we saw a small tent by the lake. Ted went down there and spoke with the couple. They had an accent and apparently the guy sprained his ankle and was in much pain. They were slowly coming down. Wow, they still had a ways to go. That day, Ted and I packed up and headed to Nada Lake to camp out. We found a wonderful spot and just relaxed before we backpacked out the next day. This will be a backpack to remember, lots of adventure, beautiful scenery and great company. We thank God for creating such scenery, just for us to enjoy. Thank you sooo much, God!!!