Enchantments

Last year on a kayaking trip in Washington, my boyfriend Drew and I discovered an intriguing trailhead leading to the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. I put it on my wish list for another day. With summer coming to an end and my birthday around the corner, I decided it might be a good opportunity to do some research. I stumbled upon some stunning photos of the Enchanted Lakes Basin. I learned that camping is very restricted in this area because of the fragile ecosystem and concern for the mountain goat population. Without a permit from the annual lottery in February, the only option is to show up at the ranger station the morning you want to start hiking and get lucky enough to draw some slots from a cancellation or the 5 person/day lottery.

Drew said he would do whatever I wanted for my big day, so bright and early the morning of Sept. 10th we were standing outside of the Leavenworth Ranger Station with our name in the lottery. The ranger said, "Okay, who is feeling lucky today?" I said, " I am! I am!" and ran up to draw a name out of the pot. I had a little spaz attack when it read: Christie - party of 2!

Wahoo, three nights in the Enchanted Lakes Basin! Awesomness. We were ecstatic as we drove up Icicle Creek and 8-mile road to the Stuart Lake Trailhead. We had our gear packed in no time and headed up the trail to Colchuck Lake. We had 4 days to hike the 18 mile loop up to 7,800 ft. through the Enchantments and back down through the Snow Lakes zone. From here on, I'll let the pictures tell the story because it was so incredible I could barely put my camera down . . .

Drew gearing up at the trailhead

Welcome to paradise

Scouting some slides

Mountaineer Creek

Colchuck Lake

Lunch break, looking up at Aasgard Pass

2,000 ft. up the pass, Drew starts to wonder what he got himself into

The big climb

Whew, made it . . .

Just before dark

Drew hauled some surprise Strongbows up the pass for my birthday!

Home sweet home

The tentominium

No-bake birthday cake

Whoa, hello. Good morning!

Day #2

Camping on the pass was a little frosty

The bathroom

Upper Enchanted Lakes Basin

Gone fishin'

Heaven meets earth

Tranquil Lake

Just another day in paradise

Isolation Lake

We were stoked to run into this guy

Crystal Lake

Inspiration Lake

Lake Perfection

Prusik Peak

Lots of trout in this lake!

Drew cleaning a cutthroat for dinner

Camp #2

Day #3

Leprechaun Lake

Temple & Vivian Lakes

Another mountain goat!

Lower Enchanted Lakes Basin

Dropping down into the Snow Lakes zone

Dinner!

Snow Creek

Scouting more slides :)

Nearing icicle on day 4 we realize we never set shuttle. Taxi service?

A really nice lady we met a mile from the trailhead lends us her

brand new Armada to get back up to my truck. Priceless!

The Loop

All in all, this was one of my best trips EVER!

Christie's Top 10 Backpacking Trips:

1. Annapurna Base Camp, Nepal

2. Enchanted Lakes Basin, WA

3. Teton Crest Trail, WY

4. Wind River Range, WY

5. Druid Arch, Canyonlands, UT

6. Juan de Fuca Trail, Vancouver Island

7. Copeland Track, NZ

8. Routeburn Track, NZ

9. West Rim Trail, Zion National Park, UT

10. Abel Tasman, NZ

A Week with the Most Amazing Kayakers in the World

Being from Hood River, we are lucky enough to kayak with some of the most talented folks around pretty regularly. This particular week, however, we got to boat with the most amazing kayakers in the world. They aren't the most amazing because they are running huge drops or throwing big tricks however. They are amazing because they are brave, persistent, and inspirational....oh, and they have all battled or are battling cancer.

Gearing up for the Klickitat!

The three of us all got to share at least part of the week with this great group of folks, taking photos, safety boating, and helping with instruction as volunteers for the Washington First Descents camp.

Getting used to Class III in a raft

First Descents is such a fantastic program, offering a week of kayaking and fun activities to young adults recovering from cancer. If you are unfamiliar with First Descents, please check them out! There are many ways to be involved!

Practicing new skills

It's difficult to explain what it is like to be a part of a camp, the connections that are made, and the family that is formed. Experiencing it is really the only way to know and it was a privilege to be able to.

Group Hug!!

The courage, perseverance, and determination of these folks is hard to compete with. Thanks First Descents for letting us be a part of your awesomeness!! We heart you!!

Already looking forward to next year!! Pixel, Beanie, and Tush

aka: Kate, Christie, and Melissa :)

Memorial Day Mania

What better way to kick off the summer in Hood River than with a visit from Katie and Lizzy and a ladies weekend on the Little White!

Lizzy English showed up in Hood River to take #1 in the 8 mi. Super D mountain bike race and get in a few laps on the Little White. Katie Scott rallied up last minute for a couple of no portage Little White/Green Truss laps and to liven up the gorge nightlife. Mission accomplished. This town is definitely even more fun with these two girls in it!

Middle Fork of the Salmon River, Idaho

I was thrilled when I got the call from Rachel Crowder, inviting me on a 7 day trip on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River in Idaho. Whitewater, wilderness, and hot springs....what more could a girl ask for??

I headed out early to hit up the North and South Forks of the Payette for a couple days (thanks Preston, Skip, and Bailey for awesome lines!!) then headed to Stanley bright and early Saturday morning. The drive was beautiful with the morning sun and fog in the valley.

The Drive to Stanley

Stanley, ID

After packing and organizing everything and meeting with the rangers to select our camps for the week, we were all buzzing around with excitement. We had a group of 13, half from the west and half from the east....a good mix of folks.

Put in excitement

We put on in the sun and at a nice friendly level of 3.86. This was exciting for us as we had a first time rower on our trip. Here is a short summary of how things went the remainder of the week....

Day 1: Popped 1 tube

Day 2: River has come up slightly, raining, popped another raft

Day 3: River has now reached 4.5 ft, everyone had an awesome day, still raining

Day 4: River rose to 6 ft overnight, still raining, we watch logs float downstream

Day 5: River rose again overnight, probably around 6.5/7 ft, big water, still raining

Day 6: Water is brown and huge with debris floating downstream, 1 kayak swim, missed camp, alternate camps under water, pouring rain, group decision to head to the take out a day

early, huge waves in the canyon, rescue a rogue, fully loaded raft, take out with the river

at 8ft.

Popped tube #1

Joe fishing at dusk

Kate Cecchini Beaver enjoying some hot springs

Oh look, it's a log floating down the river!

Opening up for a bit

Cave drawings

Of course, there are many many things that happened inbetween those things, but hopefully the photos and video can fill in the blanks! The Middle Fork is a gorgeous river and I would go back in a heart beat! I am, however, starting to wonder about my luck with multi-day trips and epic, high water days....