Author Topic: Hoping to camp at the Enchantments? It just got harder (Read 13396 times)

whacker1 · « **on:** February 02, 2016, 09:48:15 AM »

copying the article from the Seattle Times

http://www.seattletimes.com/life/outdoors/hoping-to-camp-at-the-enchantments-it-just-got-harder/

By Brian J. Cantwell 

Seattle Times outdoors editor

If camping at The Enchantments is on your bucket list, getting to the fabled high-country lakes southwest of Leavenworth just got a little tougher.

The U.S. Forest Service announced Monday it is extending by six weeks the season for required, limited-entry permits for overnight camping in this fragile zone of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.

The permit season, formerly June 15-Oct. 15, will now be May 15-Oct. 31.

Seventy-five percent of permits will be allocated through a lottery, for which the application period is Feb. 15-March 2.

The Enchantment Permit Area takes in rugged and rocky, mountain-goat-frequented escarpments around the Enchantment Lakes, the highest of which sit between 7,000 and 8,000 feet elevation, as well as areas surrounding nearby Colchuck Lake, Lake Stuart, Snow Lakes and Eightmile Lake.

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It is an area of beautiful azure waters where names such as Aasgard Pass and Little Annapurna speak to the natural grandeur. Of Perfection Lake, one of the Enchantments, the Washington Trails Association’s online hike description gushes that “‘Perfection’ is no idle exaggeration.”

Throughout the permit area, demand for overnight permits far exceeds the number available. The Forest Service said the extension is needed to help manage increased visitor use and resulting resource damage at the lakes.

The option to have a longer permit season was analyzed in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Recreation Use Environmental Analysis in 1993 but had not been fully implemented until now.

Increasing popularity of The Enchantments has led to concentrated and unsustainable overnight use before and after the permit season, frequently exceeding daily use levels established to minimize impacts from high recreation use, according to the Leavenworth-based Wenatchee River Ranger District.

In addition, recent low-snow winters and hot, dry spring and fall seasons have resulted in a longer snow-free period, increasing accessibility into the Enchantment Permit Area and lengthening the high-use season.

New campsites and trails can appear in a single weekend of high use, damaging fragile high-country vegetation, the Forest Service statement said.

In the 1976 Alpine Lakes Area Management Act, Congress directed the Forest Service to implement a management plan that would “take into consideration the Enchantments’ especially fragile beauty, its ease of accessibility, its unusual attractiveness, and its resultant heavy recreational usage.”

By 1981, the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Plan established carrying capacities for the Enchantments Permit Area. The permit system for overnight camping was enacted in 1987.

The current system, with the permit area divided into five zones, allows up to five camping parties nightly with up to eight people each in the core Enchantment Lakes zone, said Gabrielle Snider, wilderness manager for the ranger district. The nightly total for all the lakes in the permit area is 28 groups of up to eight each, for a maximum of 224 campers.

Overnight reservations for the area are made through www.recreation.gov (type in “Enchantment Permit Area”). The website will accept lottery applications for the 2016 permit season beginning at 12:01 a.m. Feb. 15. Early application does not increase chances of getting a permit, as long as application is made by 11:59 p.m. March 2. There is a $6 fee for lottery applications, plus a $5/person-per-day fee for camping permits.

A number of day-of-hike permits are distributed in morning drawings at the Leavenworth ranger station throughout the permit season. For details on the process, see 1.usa.gov/1e7YQpV.

whacker1 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 02, 2016, 09:49:40 AM »

I know lots of folks have commented and written about their stories of the Enchantments. It is a bucket list item for me to check out, but haven't allocated the time to do so. I would like their opinion what the lengthening of the permit season means to the opportunity. Pro/Con is welcome.....as I am mostly curious.

jackelope · « **Reply #2 on:** February 02, 2016, 10:20:28 AM »

I think the reason for the shorter season was the weather would keep lots of people out, which is probably smart, eliminating the need for limited access permits. My sister in law was up there early in the season a few years ago and someone died in the snow. I think they slipped and slid down a big hill or crevasse or cliff or something. I don't exactly recall. I don't know if I see this having much of an impact, but admittedly I don't know a lot about accessing the area. Rosscrazyelk has been up there a couple times. Maybe he'll chime in.

pd · « **Reply #3 on:** February 02, 2016, 10:34:20 AM »

I climbed (alpine) the Enchantments 3 years ago, during the main (permit) season. The early/late season (no permits required then) were a little known opportunity to beat the crowds. I suppose USFS extended the permit season because of increasing pressure. I can't say that I am surprised, nor opposed to this move. Regulators are supposed to regulate, right?

huntnfmly · « **Reply #4 on:** February 02, 2016, 10:45:01 AM »

When i was a kid we use to go up there every year for a week fishing.its beautiful up there.I have not been up there forever.we hardly ever seen anyone up there.Seems crazy thats overrun with people now.

swanny · « **Reply #5 on:** February 03, 2016, 09:59:31 AM »

I think the pressure came from the insane amounts of people heading up there before and after the permit season. People make their own campsites rather than using established ones. For some reason, nobody ever thinks that when you have to park a mile down the road from the trailhead that they will actually be able to find a camping spot. It has been published so many times in various magazines and articles, that it's just a circus. It is also a relatively easy access driving and hiking for many people as Colchuck lake is only like a 4-5 mile hike.

With more people wanting to go and the permit season being difficult to win a permit, the place gets pounded as soon as the permit season closes. I wouldn't be surprised to start seeing some other areas of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness go to permits as well. So many of the popular trailheads get over run every weekend. I love people getting outdoors and encourage it, but it sure does put a damper on a "wilderness" experience when hiking a trail is like walking the Alki boardwalk on a July Saturday afternoon.

Fortunately, if you are willing to expand your horizons beyond what the magazines publish you can find places just as beautiful and have solitude.

danderson · « **Reply #6 on:** February 03, 2016, 05:26:54 PM »

I spent 7 days in the Enchantments last July, its truly a special place not only the breath taking scenery and the Mt goats that one cant even begin to describe the experience, a few of the more easily accessed lakes did have a few occupied camp sites but in the upper core zone were we spent most of the time it was deserted, the last two winters were so mild that the snow melted off a bit early than normal that allowed people to get in there, fyi its no cake walk with a lot of sketchy granite boldering on steep slopes, I wore out a new pair of Hoka's , they expanded the permit area to include the Engals lake this year also. on a side note we encountered many trail runners that were thru hiking the entire route, not something that I would recommend, these guys were in shape. we ran into one group that had a gal in there party that got hit by a falling rock going up Asgaurd pass, she was in bad shape with pretty good head trauma.20 miles from the trail head at 8000 ft.

boneaddict · « **Reply #7 on:** February 03, 2016, 06:00:13 PM »

I'm mad about it because I wanted to go in the last three years post deadline. The first year it snowed and I figured it was too dangerous. The second year, I chose other trips, and last year I was neck deep in divorce. It looks like I snoozed away my chance.

danderson · « **Reply #8 on:** February 04, 2016, 07:33:53 AM »

I wouldn't give up hope of drawing a lottery permit, its well worth the effort, the upper core zone holds the most goats, I took so many pictures of goats my camera battery died so make sure you bring a solar charger or a spare battery. I would put in for at least 4 days during the week. I will be going back again this year from the south entering from the Engals creek basin.

lokidog · « **Reply #9 on:** February 04, 2016, 08:58:15 AM »

That last one is an amazing photo!

danderson · « **Reply #10 on:** February 04, 2016, 02:24:34 PM »

Yeah, that spot was our base camp in the upper core zone spent 3 nights there with the goats in camp the whole time

Jonathan_S · « **Reply #11 on:** February 05, 2016, 02:09:55 PM »

So (dumb clarification question) anybody can stay the night there after the permit season correct?

danderson · « **Reply #12 on:** February 05, 2016, 02:42:32 PM »

Correct, all you have to do is fill out the trail head permit tag and have no more the 8 people in the party.

boneaddict · « **Reply #13 on:** February 08, 2016, 05:39:45 AM »

I always assumed the end date was set to correspond with the opening of hunting season. Not anymore I guess.

swanny · « **Reply #14 on:** February 08, 2016, 11:38:05 AM »

There is also a walk up permit available each day at the ranger station, just have to be there to put your name in the coffee can. This is a good option to try and score a Core zone permite, especially if you can start your trip mid-week. I'd just recommend having a backup plan in case you don't get drawn. This is how my wife and I scored a permite two years ago in October.

rosscrazyelk · « **Reply #15 on:** February 25, 2016, 07:07:44 PM »

I love the enchantments. . I have only been drawn once. Probably because I always put in late sept. When the Tamaracs start changing color. Which is when most pro camera guys go in..
I have been up there in another way. So feel free to message me Neil and I will give you a secret

HntnFsh · « **Reply #16 on:** February 26, 2016, 11:35:05 PM »

Quote from: lokidog on February 04, 2016, 08:58:15 AM

That last one is an amazing photo!

No kidding. It just looks surreal!

danderson · « **Reply #17 on:** February 28, 2016, 05:33:39 PM »

Here's another picture from camp, the water in this lake was mirror like, I watched a small bird fly right in and drown just beyond my reach, something I will not soon forget.

Kit Carson · « **Reply #18 on:** March 08, 2016, 07:54:30 AM »

Beautiful area!

CoryTDF · « **Reply #19 on:** March 08, 2016, 09:29:55 AM »

How is the fishing n those lakes?

Bean Counter · « **Reply #20 on:** March 08, 2016, 09:36:14 AM »

Its probably good. I found a fishhook sitting on the bank of Colchuck Lake and decided to jurryrig my bootlace, trekking pole, and a bacon bit out of my dinner into a fishing setup and watched a fish come in, bite it off, and scurry away

Couldn't quite hook it as I could have with a real fishing pole but it was a fun experience.

predatorpro · « **Reply #21 on:** March 08, 2016, 09:40:27 AM »

I thought we paid for our permits with taxes already...I figure I'm an investor/part owner...

danderson · « **Reply #22 on:** March 08, 2016, 05:00:37 PM »

I didn't bring a fishing pole but I did see good numbers of fish in Snow lake at one of the inlets, fishing was closed last year because of the drought.

CoryTDF · « **Reply #23 on:** April 01, 2016, 08:54:47 AM »

Just got my permit. So mad though as for some reason it would not allow me to register for the CORE area and kept telling me to get back on at 10AM. Then boom! The spots started just going like hotcakes. In a matter of minutes it went from several spots in most zones to only the Eightmile Lake area. So, that is what I got.

danderson · « **Reply #24 on:** April 01, 2016, 06:57:39 PM »

I drew the core zone again this year and will be spending another week up in gods country in August. Not as hard as some might think. bringing a solar charger for battery's this time.

pope · « **Reply #25 on:** July 09, 2016, 11:08:51 AM »

Quote from: lokidog on February 04, 2016, 08:58:15 AM

That last one is an amazing photo!

Behind the tarn is the south face of Prusik Peak. From the Snow Lake trail head, I walked up there, climbed Prusik Peak via the Burgner-Stanley route, then back out as a day trip. It was reasonable 25 years ago as a day trip but I doubt my knees could take the abuse today. Maybe with a super-light pack a through hike would be reasonable (with a second vehicle stashed at one end).

CoryTDF · « **Reply #26 on:** July 11, 2016, 08:41:38 AM »

I'm heading in the Eightmile Lake area on Friday. Got really screwed on the sign up for extra permits and that was the only thing I could get. Hope it is worth the drive.

danderson · « **Reply #27 on:** July 11, 2016, 04:14:34 PM »

My permit starts Aug 9th, going in through the Snow lake trail again, will be spending most of our time in the core zone, I haven't been into the eight mile lake area yet but from the pictures I have seen of the Colchuck trail its worth exploring, last year we spent 6 days exploring the upper core area, its beyond words to describe all I can say is nothing like it anywhere.

CoryTDF · « **Reply #28 on:** July 19, 2016, 03:03:48 PM »

Well I just got back from my trip into the Enchantments. I had a permit for the Eightmile/Caroline Lake zone. We ended up staying at Eightmile for the whole trip as the reports from the trail were that the mosquitoes at Caroline were as bad as they can be. My wife is like crack to mosquitoes so we decided to stay away from there.

I was very happy to findout that there are some good sized cutthroat trout in Eightmile lake though. I brought a small inflatable dingy up and had some pretty good luck fishing.

The only complaint that I had was that there are a ton of people up there. The lake barley had enough camping spots for the amount of people. I was luck enough to get a great spot at the end of the lake after some other people had packed up.

All in all it was a fun trip with the wife and we had a great time.

CoryTDF · « **Reply #29 on:** July 19, 2016, 03:06:18 PM »

few more pictures.

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