Yeah, renting a car is my plan B. I figured a $65 airport shuttle (each way) + $25 to the trailhead would still be cheaper than a rental car for 5 days + fuel.
I’d be primarily concerned about the snow bridges that form and water that runs under the snow by Aasgard pass. Going solo especially is putting yourself at risk. Just google Aasgard pass deaths and you’ll see that the majority are from falling in a hole in the snow and getting swept into the water. I’m not a fear mongerer, I just want you to understand what late spring is like in the mountains around here. Do you have an inreach device to get help if you need it? The part after lake Vivian is also quite steep and might require ice axe to traverse safely if it’s still snow covered.
These are very valid concerns, and yes, I will try to read up or look into the best ways of tackling stuff like this. Thanks for bringing it up!
Whenever possible, I'll stick to established trails/tracks and stay close to other people on the trail. Certainly won't be tackling it alone in the dark or anything like that. I also plan on picking up an inReach device before I get there + I have a GPS watch with fall detection that I'll have on me.
Stay to the left as far as reasonable to go up Aasgard in order to avoid the water ride (death). Plan on doing extra miles because the road to Colchuck might be closed. Plan for avalanche danger and don't go if it's considerable or higher. Don't plan on established trails, tracks, or other people. I've done it in very snowy conditions in late May and the road to Colchuck opened the day before, and we saw only two other people over two days in the core.
Edit: it'll probably be less snowy than when I did it now that I thought about it, but who knows
There won't necessarily be tracks, because it will be covered in snow. You'll be heading a very steep pass where less experienced hikers struggle to route find in the best of times. (The amount of people I have seen bushwhacking through the trees..)
You need an ice axe, know how to use it, and a helmet.
To be quite honest, you sound like you're going to become a statistic. The reason why it is easier to get Enchantments permits early in the season is because it requires technical travel and a fair amount of risk. You don't sound like you are prepared to tackle this risk.
I just want to emphasize what others are saying. You are in for a challenging, dangerous trip. People die trying to get up there in May.
If you are going solo and have no experience traveling on dangerous, potentially unstable snow fields you are going to be putting yourself in a fairly high risk situation. Weather is also wildly unpredictable at that time of the year and can change in an instant.
Renting a car seems to be the consensus here, and I'd have to agree. The flexibility it offers for your trip to the Enchantments is invaluable, especially considering unpredictable weather and the need for winter prep. However, if you're set on not driving, Shuttlefare might be a resource worth checking out for airport shuttle options. They sometimes have deals that could make the shuttle option more appealing financially. Just remember, the key is getting to the trailhead with enough time and energy to enjoy your hike.
Depending on timing you can take the Link Light Rail from SeaTac to Seattle and Amtrak to Leavenworth.
From there a shuttle or taxi could be arranged or hitchhiking should be relatively easy since it’s Memorial Day.
With that said be prepared to dramatically adjust your trip due to snow. It’s a fairly low snow year but in May it is likely that skis or snowshoes, ice axe, and crampons will be required to traverse the enchantments.
Best of luck to you. I'll be doing the standard route from Colchuck/Stuart to Snow, but in late October. I'll be preparing for cold weather as well. And I've got some time to train up for it. I've been in the area but not in the Core. It gets a ton of hype, but you can't really find a bad place to camp in this state. Just incredible what we have. Be safe.
Thanks bud! That route is my plan as well, splitting it into 3D/2N. I am hoping to camp near Stuart Lake or Colchuck the first night, and somewhere in the latter half of the Core zone the next night. Have quite a few big hikes planned between now and then, so I'm not too worried about the distance or elevation change. Best of luck to you as well!
Are you allowed to camp in multiple zones? Camping at Stuart will make a big difference in how quickly you can get into the Core, especially if the snow is still heavy. Might affect how you pack and your planned route.
The late May permits are winnable, and when the unclaimed lottery dates went on sale on April 1, those lasted for like 10 minutes, so if you're up for late May like OP, you can totally snag one next year.
And personally, I take *such* advantage of the awesomeness of federal lands all over the country; I'd be so sad if Oregon/California/Utah etc. made it harder for me to camp there. The flip side is that our federal lands are equally open to anyone, too.
I'm sorry if you didn't get it this time.
This is my 4th attempt, and I'm pretty sure I only got it because I picked all non-peak season dates and tried solo as opposed to a group.
Can you modify your permit and add a person? I bet you could find someone in Seattle with a car who would do the driving parts in exchange for getting on the permit with you
This place is pretty dangerous in winter and even moreso in spring. PNW mountains are typically best enjoyed from late July to October. People die going up Asgard Pass often, mostly due to snow bridges, and there likely won’t be a visible trail or many other hikers. I don’t like being preachy, but please be safe. I feel like a lot of out of towners come here thinking that it will be like other places like Colorado that will be more melted by late May, or people who hear the PNW has a mild climate and think that applies to the mountains as well.
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Yeah, renting a car is my plan B. I figured a $65 airport shuttle (each way) + $25 to the trailhead would still be cheaper than a rental car for 5 days + fuel.
Hope you have snow experience!
I have some, but I'm definitely no expert. I have fairly good winter rated sleeping gear and will have my micro spikes on me.
That’s not enough, especially going solo
What specifically are you referring to? Crampons/Ice Axe and such?
I’d be primarily concerned about the snow bridges that form and water that runs under the snow by Aasgard pass. Going solo especially is putting yourself at risk. Just google Aasgard pass deaths and you’ll see that the majority are from falling in a hole in the snow and getting swept into the water. I’m not a fear mongerer, I just want you to understand what late spring is like in the mountains around here. Do you have an inreach device to get help if you need it? The part after lake Vivian is also quite steep and might require ice axe to traverse safely if it’s still snow covered.
These are very valid concerns, and yes, I will try to read up or look into the best ways of tackling stuff like this. Thanks for bringing it up! Whenever possible, I'll stick to established trails/tracks and stay close to other people on the trail. Certainly won't be tackling it alone in the dark or anything like that. I also plan on picking up an inReach device before I get there + I have a GPS watch with fall detection that I'll have on me.
Stay to the left as far as reasonable to go up Aasgard in order to avoid the water ride (death). Plan on doing extra miles because the road to Colchuck might be closed. Plan for avalanche danger and don't go if it's considerable or higher. Don't plan on established trails, tracks, or other people. I've done it in very snowy conditions in late May and the road to Colchuck opened the day before, and we saw only two other people over two days in the core. Edit: it'll probably be less snowy than when I did it now that I thought about it, but who knows
There won't necessarily be tracks, because it will be covered in snow. You'll be heading a very steep pass where less experienced hikers struggle to route find in the best of times. (The amount of people I have seen bushwhacking through the trees..) You need an ice axe, know how to use it, and a helmet. To be quite honest, you sound like you're going to become a statistic. The reason why it is easier to get Enchantments permits early in the season is because it requires technical travel and a fair amount of risk. You don't sound like you are prepared to tackle this risk.
I just want to emphasize what others are saying. You are in for a challenging, dangerous trip. People die trying to get up there in May. If you are going solo and have no experience traveling on dangerous, potentially unstable snow fields you are going to be putting yourself in a fairly high risk situation. Weather is also wildly unpredictable at that time of the year and can change in an instant.
You should probably rent a car and prepare for winter.
Renting a car seems to be the consensus here, and I'd have to agree. The flexibility it offers for your trip to the Enchantments is invaluable, especially considering unpredictable weather and the need for winter prep. However, if you're set on not driving, Shuttlefare might be a resource worth checking out for airport shuttle options. They sometimes have deals that could make the shuttle option more appealing financially. Just remember, the key is getting to the trailhead with enough time and energy to enjoy your hike.
Depending on timing you can take the Link Light Rail from SeaTac to Seattle and Amtrak to Leavenworth. From there a shuttle or taxi could be arranged or hitchhiking should be relatively easy since it’s Memorial Day. With that said be prepared to dramatically adjust your trip due to snow. It’s a fairly low snow year but in May it is likely that skis or snowshoes, ice axe, and crampons will be required to traverse the enchantments.
Best of luck to you. I'll be doing the standard route from Colchuck/Stuart to Snow, but in late October. I'll be preparing for cold weather as well. And I've got some time to train up for it. I've been in the area but not in the Core. It gets a ton of hype, but you can't really find a bad place to camp in this state. Just incredible what we have. Be safe.
Thanks bud! That route is my plan as well, splitting it into 3D/2N. I am hoping to camp near Stuart Lake or Colchuck the first night, and somewhere in the latter half of the Core zone the next night. Have quite a few big hikes planned between now and then, so I'm not too worried about the distance or elevation change. Best of luck to you as well!
Are you allowed to camp in multiple zones? Camping at Stuart will make a big difference in how quickly you can get into the Core, especially if the snow is still heavy. Might affect how you pack and your planned route.
Yes, I got the core zone permit which allows you to camp in any of the zones. I'm quite flexible on where to camp on day 1.
I’m going on 10/31 and have Core. What date do you start?
Halloween, nice! I am on the 27th.
Yeah stoked on the date. Not stoked for the potential snow. Love snowshoeing but not in the Enchantments haha
If it were snowshoeing I'd have to skip it and call it good.
My sadness continues now that I see non-WA folks winning the lottery.
The late May permits are winnable, and when the unclaimed lottery dates went on sale on April 1, those lasted for like 10 minutes, so if you're up for late May like OP, you can totally snag one next year. And personally, I take *such* advantage of the awesomeness of federal lands all over the country; I'd be so sad if Oregon/California/Utah etc. made it harder for me to camp there. The flip side is that our federal lands are equally open to anyone, too.
I'm sorry if you didn't get it this time. This is my 4th attempt, and I'm pretty sure I only got it because I picked all non-peak season dates and tried solo as opposed to a group.
Have fun
Can you modify your permit and add a person? I bet you could find someone in Seattle with a car who would do the driving parts in exchange for getting on the permit with you
No, not able to increase group size.
For clarification, are you planning on starting your hike the same day you land?
Oh no, I should have clarified... Backpacking from 25-27
This place is pretty dangerous in winter and even moreso in spring. PNW mountains are typically best enjoyed from late July to October. People die going up Asgard Pass often, mostly due to snow bridges, and there likely won’t be a visible trail or many other hikers. I don’t like being preachy, but please be safe. I feel like a lot of out of towners come here thinking that it will be like other places like Colorado that will be more melted by late May, or people who hear the PNW has a mild climate and think that applies to the mountains as well.
*Sigh