Enchantments Backpacking Trip

Heading to the Enchantments in the North Cascades this weekend!  I am very excited about this trip.  Here is the email from the trip leader summarizing:

Hello folks,

We are nearing our EPIC hike/camp up to the Enchantments. I’ve been looking forward to this hike for a few years and actually won permits this year. I was 111th selected out of over 1500 applicants!

Details:

Permit is for a party of 6 people.

SEPT 2- Mike has suggested that we stay at his friend’s cabin near Lake Wenatchee/Plain on the night of Sept 2nd. Mike, please confirm the availability of the cabin for this night. If that cabin is a no go, we can always drive up early from Seattle on Sept 3. Permits are available for pick-up at 4:30pm at the front porch box (Wenatchee River Ranger Station). The rangers remove the permits from the pick-up box at 7:45am on Sept 3. If we don’t pick up the permits by 9:00am on Sept 3, they will re-issue to another party.

SEPT 3-Trip start date (hike in)- Pick up permits around 8pm (if we haven’t already done so). Route- I’ve told the rangers that our party will enter the Snow Lake trail and exit the same. I’ve heard and read that entering via the Asgaard Pass/Stuart/Colchuck trail is a near sin. However, I don’t have a problem with exiting this route. We will need to let the rangers know before the “Trip start date” which route we will exit the Enchanment zone. The Snow Lake Trail to the Enchanments is 10 miles one- way, begins at 1400 ft and gains 5400ft. We will be spending most of our time about 7000 ft (camp/day hikes/swim/ etc). Set up base camp. Explore the surrounding Lower Enchantment Lakes.

SEPT 4 and 5- Day Hikes.  I would like to hike as many of the peaks as my bum knee can handle:

• Little Annapurna- northern approach is non-techincal.  If it’s clear on one of these nights, maybe we can even hump a sleeping bag up to the summit and sleep there. http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/151427/little-annapurna.html
• Dragontail Peak – southern route is non-technical. http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/150391/dragontail-peak.html (check out the individual pics from Colchuck Lake)
• Prusik Peak- technical climb (not for me!) http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/150823/prusik-peak.html

SEPT 6-Trip end date (hike out and drive home).  I set it up so we drive home on a Sunday and beat Labor Day traffic.  Thank you very much.