Backpackin4ever: THE ENCHANTMENTS FALL 2015

Lake Viviane from near Temple Lake

After visiting the Enchantments in the spring of 2015 and confirming every hikers raving reviews on it's unsurpassed beautiful, I had to go back for more.
Thank goodness I was able to buy a permit to visit in October 2015.
I entered the Enchantments via the Snow Lake trail which is the most common way of getting up into the core enchantment zone. My permit only allowed me to camp to nights in the Snow Lake zone but i was easily able to hike into the core zone for a day hike.

Nada Lake

I ended up staying the night at Nada lake for both nights. Camping at Snow Lake is preferred rather than Nada but I had a late start on day one and wasn't able to get to snow lake before dark.
I set up my tent just after dark with my headlamp alongside Nada lake. There was only one other group camping at Nada that i spotted.
The next morning I arose to sunny skies and chatted a bit with the other camp while eating a quick breakfast.

McClellan Peak from the belly of Snow Lake

Next the day hike started. I quickly reached Snow lake as the sun had just hit Mt McClellan. To my surprise Snow lake looked like someone had pulled the plug on the drain, it was super low. I hiked down to lake shore which was about 30 to 50 feet below normal. It make for some very cool pictures though. Back on the trail i hiked around the lake and up the switchbacks and scrambled up to the best of the best of the Enchantments.... the core zone.

Lake Viviane

I visited always stunning Lake Viviane and climbed up to lesser know Temple Lake.

Temple Lake looking up at The Temple

Next up Leprechaun Lake, little Sprite Lake and finally Perfection Lake.
If i were to stay a night in the core zone Perfection lake is..... well... Perfection!

Leprechaun Lake

Sprite Lake

Perfection Lake with Little Annapurna

After the lakes I tromped up to Prusik Pass. This is a must as the views are simply awe inspiring. I came across several climbers who just had finished climbing Prusik Peak.

Shield Lake

Prusik Peak

From Prusik Pass looking at Perfection Lake

The weather started to turn as a cold front was making it's path across the central cascades. I headed back to camp at Nada lake. A full day of photography and sweeping views made it fully worthwhile.
Night number two I was alone on the lake with a scattering of rain off and on.
The next morning it was a little chilly but partly sunny. I jumped at the chance to catch some Nada Lake Brook Trout. To my surprise they were in bite mode.

After catching and releasing 8 Brook Trout and exploring the Northwest side of the lake shore I called it a day. I picked up camp around 12 and got back to the car by 5pm. Just like my first time into the Enchantments it was worth every minute and it won't be my last trip.