The Enchantment Lakes Basin is one of the true jewels of the northwest. But at 7,000+ feet of elevation, there's no easy way to get there. Both trails into the basin are long and have sections that are more than a little scary to traverse especially when they involve steep bare granite, snow, ice, and 45-pound winter backpacks. But once you get there you'll understand what the fuss is all about, because it's a vision of wild beauty that the bulk of civilization will never set eyes upon.

 

Most visitors head to the basin in the summertime when the brilliant still life of razor rock spires, mammoth glaciers, and necklace-beads of little lakes framed by alpine larch are at their most inviting. But Fraser, Champagne and I (Shawna couldn't make it due to a busy work schedule) made the pilgramage after permit season came to a close on October 15, which is well into winter in the Enchantments. The area is still amazing in October, but in a different way: fresh white snow and yellow autumn-turning larch nestle in stunning contrast to the black granite and icy streams. The biting temperatures and jet-engine winds ensure that we have the place to ourselves.

 

Maybe we're gluttons for punishment. Our buddy Steve once dubbed us "The Frigid Fools" and I can't say he's wrong. But I can't think of a more unique and visually interesting patch of wilderness where a person could spend a long autumn weekend. Plus, there's nothing more cozy than laying swaddled and toasty in my sleeping bag while the water bottles freeze and the snow quietly piles up on my little one-man tent; that's the kind of calm that only comes from backpacking in the winter, and it's the very best way I've found to reboot my brain and recenter my perspective as to what's really important in life.

 

Of course, I should mention another one of my favorite things about camping in the snow: the hot-hot shower waiting for me when I get back home ;)

 

- Jas