The hype around the Enchantments permits is a bit much

I did the full thru-hike in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness last September, and I have to say, the permit lottery frenzy feels overblown. Sure, the core zone is pretty, but the 18-mile slog over Aasgard Pass is just brutal granite for hours with very little payoff in my view. I passed three groups in the first two miles who were clearly in over their heads, just because they'd won the golden ticket. The Colchuck Lake area was nice, but the rest felt like a long, rocky trudge you do just to say you did it. I've had more rewarding, and frankly more scenic, multi-day trips in the nearby Stuart Range without the permit stress. Has anyone else done it and felt the same, or am I just missing the magic?

3 comments

3 Comments

bettyfox1mo ago

Honestly, I felt the same way. I spent all that energy getting the permit and then spent the whole hike wondering what I was missing. My main memory is just being tired and staring at my boots on that endless rock. I guess the magic was in the bragging rights, because my feet sure didn't feel enchanted.

alex_johnson1mo ago

Maybe we take hiking too seriously.

taylor.amy1mo ago

Doesn't the struggle make the view that much better though?