Good central location to camp in the Enchantments?

[MountaingirlBC]

Last time I was up there everything was covered in snow and we were the only people up there so it was hard to tell where the best spots were. Could anyone recommend a few good campsites for a group of 6? Ideally we'd like to stay in one spot the whole time and do Dragontail, Colchuck, Little Annapuran, McClellan, Prussik, and Cannon (on the way out). Our permits are for 4 nights in the Enchantments.

[matt_warfield]

The lower Enchantments have more and better camp sites for a large group than the upper Enchantments and allow quick access to most of the peaks you mention. Pick one of the lakes that's a little ways in for the optimum. You'll enjoy seeing it without all that snow!

[bwrts]

WOW, that is quite a list. I do look fwd to the report on what got done. I do not personally think Cannon is an easy, on the way out type climb. Dragontail and Colchuck are usually approached from Colchuck Lake. LA, MC and Prusik are best done from Viviane or Leprachan. Good luck and enjoy....

[fenderfour]

Cannon isn't a terribly difficult climb, it's got a little route finding fun, and it will take most people a little while to get to it.

 

Enchantment peak is among the 100 and would be a casual "on the way out" kinda thing.

[MountaingirlBC]

Well if we just get Colchuck, Dragontail and Prusik done I'll be happy. The others are gravy. Only two of us are actually climbing Prusik and the others are going to do Enchantment that day. Any more opinions on the Cannon plan? I don't mind a 12-14 hour day. Just thought it would be fun to make a loop of it and get off the beaten path.

[klenke]

Doing Cannon on the way out (doing the reverse of the route I described to you in that other thread) would work and would get you to the trailhead after tagging that summit in the quickest manner, much quicker than going down Aasgard Pass.

 

Re: Enchantment: piece of cake from Prusik Pass (one hour, max). No worries. Fun scramble at the very top (unexposed Class 3+ to a flat perch with excellent views).

[Squid]

It looks doable. It sounds like your group includes some fit hikers and some moderate climbers, so a reasonable agenda could be as follows:

 

1. hike in

2. prusik

3. dragontail & colchuck

4. cannon

5. exit, tagging enchantment peak on the way

 

If you're strong, you could combine some of these days (approach & climb prusik the same day).

[MountaingirlBC]

In my perfect world where the weather is perfect and everything goes smoothly, this is the plan:

 

Saturday: carb load at the waffle place in Leavenworth at 7am (does anyone know any places that open earlier?) then hit the trail. Hike up and camp somewhere above Inspiration Lake. Hike up Little Annapurna by the light of the full moon and watch the metor shower.

 

Sunday: McClellan (to avoid weekend crowds)

 

Monday: Prusik/Enchantment

 

Tuesday: Dragontail/Colchuck

 

Wednesday: Cannon & out via NW ridge to old logging road.

 

We do have a strong group with plenty of experience with long days and a lot of elevation gain so I hope we can pull it off.

[tread_tramp]

In answer to your initial question, I've enjoyed camping at Leprachan Lake and think it is situated well for a mutiday stay with the various peaks you mentioned in mind, with the exception of Colchuck Peak.