To me the Enchantments were never more than the name for a place where you couldn't bring a dog. The other black mark was its reputation as the backpacking destination in the Northwest. Confused by the concept of packing all my gear on my back while the car sits forlornly in the parking lot meant backpacking was out (at least for now). However, I recently realized that a day hike through the Core Enchantments is technically possible. At 19 miles of alpine climbing with 6,000' of gain and 7,800' of loss, its guaranteed to shred any remaining notions I have about still being fit. So with the snow finally retreating we started training with the goal of making a September attempt:
Mt. Si - 8 miles, 3,150' gain
I think the Mountaineers climbing club was practicing some crowd management jiu-jitsu when they created hiking time trials on this mountain. Its a hike with no views or interesting water features until you reach the summit but its the most popular Seattle hike. Even with a 5:30am start, a chain gang could have been in operation on our way back down.
Ok, I shouldn't be so harsh. The view from the top was pretty awesome and there is a chance to spot mountain goats. The hike was most notable for being our oncology patient's first hike back after surgery. I tried to ruin it for him by forgetting the leash but a grocery store bailed us out and he dragged us up the mountain like nothing had changed. Which I really hope turns out to be true, otherwise future posts might feature a one eared pup.
Mt. Si - 8 miles, 3,150' gain
I think the Mountaineers climbing club was practicing some crowd management jiu-jitsu when they created hiking time trials on this mountain. Its a hike with no views or interesting water features until you reach the summit but its the most popular Seattle hike. Even with a 5:30am start, a chain gang could have been in operation on our way back down.
Mt. Bandera & Mason Lake - 9 miles, 3,400' gain
The combination of these two trails provided a little bit of everything: a waterfall that almost claimed a german shepherd, boulder fields, snow fields, some 50% grade, and icebergs for the puppy to chase. Highly recommend this one, even given that the wife had to run down the road for half a mile to help six cars back all the way down to the first section of road that didn't have cars parked on both shoulders. Its not very scientific but we estimate we saw five people on the way up the mountain and over four hundred on the way back down...
Lake Serene - 8.0 miles, 2,000' gain
This was the very first hike we attempted upon moving to Washington four years ago. The trauma of coming from a stint in Chicago to a hiking up stair switchbacks has stuck with me ever since. Fortunately it didn't feel like a death march this time and we got to share the color green with friends from Colorado who were kind enough to fake some heavy breathing.
Mt. Washington - 8.5 miles, 3,250 gain
The finale of a very productive four weeks, Mt Washington was our first trainer without the big crowds. Not sure why this is the case as Mt Si is visible down river and Mt Bandera is visible up river. Guess its proof that we are still herd animals at heart.
This was the very first hike we attempted upon moving to Washington four years ago. The trauma of coming from a stint in Chicago to a hiking up stair switchbacks has stuck with me ever since. Fortunately it didn't feel like a death march this time and we got to share the color green with friends from Colorado who were kind enough to fake some heavy breathing.
The finale of a very productive four weeks, Mt Washington was our first trainer without the big crowds. Not sure why this is the case as Mt Si is visible down river and Mt Bandera is visible up river. Guess its proof that we are still herd animals at heart.
At the top you get to peer into the Cedar River watershed which supplies about 65% of Seattle's water but is kept off limits to the public due to our general filthiness. I was a little hesitant to share these last two pictures, the first because it felt like I intruded on a rock's private moment and the second because my family will disown me for finding a thistle so interesting.
** Disclaimer - If you are already anticipating longer, more epic Phase 2 hikes, please keep in mind I am kinda lazy**