Running the Enchantment Lakes Traverse


Larches, me, and a whole lotta beauty. Photo: Ben Groenhout
The Run
The trail follows a creek up up up, gently at first, then so steep that “running” switches to speed hiking. The freezing temps keep us cool; steam sizzles off our backs. A few views peep through the trees, but we keep our heads down and motor toward Colchuck Lake, four miles in.
A frosty morning on the way up to Colchuck Lake!

A backpacker heading down Asgard Pass the wrong way, knees aching for SURE.

Only true friends share their pizza at the top of a pass! Photo: Ben Groenhout

Me running through the boulders at the top of Asgard Pass. Photo: Ben Groenhout

Down a steep granite section on the trail. Photo: Ben Groenhout

Me picking my way through a boulder field. Photo: Ben Groenhout
What Goes Up, Gets to Run Down!
We spend the next few hours engaged in quintessential technical trail running. It’s slow and entertaining, with roots, rocks, steep slabs, scrambling. The best! We drop down an exposed “ladder” section with rebar sunk into the granite, waltzing by a backpacker who is freaking out at the potential fall on snowy rock.
Ben and Paul heading down the steep rebar staircase, Snowy Lake in the distance.

Paul heads past a cairn into the spectacular larches.

Til next time…
Basic Logistics
First off: for more of Ben’s excellent shots, go here! Trail Run Project’s writeup has all the details you’ll need to make this run happen. When to Go: I love fall and that is my vote for fall colors, no crowds, and the best temps. The mountains won’t be clear of snow until summer, so the window is small! To dodge 12 million day hikers, definitely hit the trail on a weekday if possible. Gear We Carried: trekking/running poles, Katadyn BeFree water filter (my new favorite possession), medkit, vest, rain jacket, beanie. Nada mas except pizza!
Clearly I missed the memo on green and blue.
19 miles, 5,500 feet of climbing and the threat of plummeting to your death at every turn. The only way my stoke level would hit anything above 0.00005 is knowing there was vegan pizza.
Nevertheless, this is AWESOME. Vicariously awesome, yes, but definitely awesome.
P.S. – I didn’t realize Maurice was so judgy.
SO YOU’RE SAYING THERE’S A CHANCE?! Maurice approves of your open-minded approach to the outdoors.
To be fair, most of the Enchantment Lakes is a reasonable hike with no chance of death unless an Instgrammer backs up and knocks you into Colchuck Lake. Otherwise, most anyone could do 98% of it. But since we’re talking so much about percentages, I suppose that 2% coooould kill you if you got creative! I say it’s worth it. Maurice agrees.
Dude, that second to last picture just looks fake — some lord of the rings meets labrynth nonsense.
Stoke level reading this post: Solid 9.999
Right?! The timing with the snow and larches contrasted with all the big, dark boulders was so cool. And my trusty 3-year-old iPhone captured it well…hahaha. Gotta get you up to the PNW so you can join me on some big mountain runs!
Man, you certainly know how to attract friends who are generous with their pizza!
Life goals, my friend. From City of Rocks to the Enchantments, I only roll with pizza-bearing buds.