So these mountains really are all that they are "cracked-up to be." They are as beautiful as the competitive back-country permit suggests (they only let 20 people in per day and people register 9 months in advance to get one of these precious spots). The mountains are accessed out of Leavenworth, WA. In August, we met up with our friends Ponch and Kristen, camped along Icicle Creek, won the permit lottery to get in (we were one of 2 groups who got to get in this way) and were then on our way. The total trip was about 20 miles. Up one steep pass (Aasgard Pass-gain of 2200 feet in 3/4 mile and it took us 3 hours to do just this part) through the popular Enchantment Zone and then dropped down the other pass to the trail head where my sweet parents were waiting in lawn chairs to pick us up. We would highly recommend this trip. Extremely craggy peaks, tamarack trees galore, numerous glaciers and lakes full of glacial silt, goats, marmots, martens, squirrels, crazy fun friends, great weather.... it all truly was enchanting.
Andy and Crystal Lake.
Ponch and Andy near Inspiration Lake.
Ponch and his goat friend.
The mama goat and her kids who just lept onto the rock that we were sitting on and tried to gord Katie. Katie looked over to Ponch for support, but he was busy taking this photo.
