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LigmaSneed t1_j4o7at7 wrote

Shame you need a permit to camp there, but if it was a free-for-all it would get absolutely trampled to death.

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zoso-mb OP t1_j4oamhj wrote

Yes, usually I think the need for permits is over the top, but this place absolutely needs it to keep traffic down.

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sampy2012 t1_j4rixvc wrote

Man, I never hit with the permits when I lived nearby. My cousin and his buddies always seemed to. I was quite jealous.

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JGfromtheNW t1_j5g9u9d wrote

100% this. I grew up in the area but never visited Colchuck until moving back after college. I was shocked at the utter masses when I finally started hiking up there. They need to control the number of people up there or it will completely ruin the area.

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ScipioSectex t1_j4no3ny wrote

Does anyone have any tips for securing a backpacking permit for the Enchantments?? Like when to select the dates for the lottery or how many people to maximize the chance of getting one.

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zoso-mb OP t1_j4ntjoz wrote

I've only ever gotten lucky with the Colchuck Lake permit, never was able to secure the Core Permit. On this particular day when I took this photo, I did the entire thing as a day hike. Logged about 25 miles that day is including all of the side trips I did, including the one up to Gnome Tarn for this photo.

I'd guess you'd have the best chances of attempting to get permits in late September. It starts cooling off by then, but everyone will be trying to land the first week of October to try to see the Larches change, so I could see that being the least visited time during the permit season.

If you try to secure a Colchuck permit, it's not that bad of a situation. Obviously you'd rather be up in the Core zone, but Colchuck Lake is beautiful, and you can dayhike up Asgaard Pass with a light pack instead of a full backpacking kit. Unfortunately this means you have to descend Asgaard the same day, which is an absolute killer on the knees, but it's still an incredible trip with Colchuck as a base camp.

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ScipioSectex t1_j4o7p5q wrote

I like that alternative, but hate the idea of day hikes. If I'm going out into the wilderness I gotta experience the night and finding peace(sleep) for atleast a couple days. Definitely have to find my way out there at some point though, that whole region is just brimming with potential backpacking trips. Thanks for the advice! I'll shoot for late September.

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zoso-mb OP t1_j4oagor wrote

After the lottery is settled, keep an eye on Recreation.gov for the dates you'd like to go. There is a set amount that they release every Monday morning I believe. That's how I was able to land a Colchuck Permit. I have seen a Core Permit available that way as well, but I couldn't go that day.

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stevethepirate227 t1_j4obwtf wrote

I would really consider doing it as a day trip if you feel comfortable. Once you get over Asgaard Pass its pretty easy walking in the core and its all downhill after that. Its a big trip any way you slice it, but in hindsight I think an overnight pack would have netted out more difficult than sending it in one shot as lightly as possible

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ScipioSectex t1_j4ov4wq wrote

I really don't like being in a hurry during my hikes, the whole point of being in the wilderness for me is to forget about everything else in my life. Ideally i would only like to do 5-10 miles a day even on flat trails lol. But yeah, if i never win the lottery I guess I'll have to do a day trip huh.

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apathy-sofa t1_j4ovhzn wrote

I've gotten the lottery fewer times than day-of permits. I don't know how to win the lottery, but for day-of permits just be at the ranger station in town bright and early. Upper Snow Lake should be one of your choices. EDIT: on a weekday, especially early, like Monday.

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ScipioSectex t1_j4ow14c wrote

That's such a gamble though! Driving hundreds of miles just to get turned away would be suuuuch a bummer lol

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apathy-sofa t1_j4p0kwe wrote

That's true, that would suck so bad. I have never been turned away - at a minimum I've been able to get a spot at Colchuck - but I can imagine it must happen. In that case, I'd just camp in the dispersed camping area along Icicle Creek and dayhike, but it's not the same.

I forgot to mention to go in on a day early midweek, like Tuesday.

Also, I hadn't considered this for folks living hundreds of miles away.

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ADuff15 t1_j4qohs8 wrote

Still dreaming of doing this hike someday. Beautiful shot!

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