enchantments camping permits?

[n9643750]

Anyone have any experience (good or bad) with bivvying in the enchantments minus the permit and running into a ranger?

[Tony_Bentley]

Unless you choose an alternate route, you're likely to get stopped at Snow Creek TH or Mountaineer Creek TH. I'd advise either a day trip or pick a trail off the beaten path. Try Enchantment Peak, Hook & Rat Creeks or come in from Ingalls Creek up Crystal Creek.

[olyclimber]

Undercover sting operation!

[AlpineK]

When you climb you risk injury. Failing to get a permit places you at a different risk. How much risk are you willing to accept? You make the call.

[Rad]

The permit system helps protect a fragile environment from being trampled, trashed, and pooped-upon. If everyone believed they were above the law the loser would be the Enchantments. That's the party line, but I think it's also the truth.

 

That said, I've done my share of commando camping (though not in the Enchantments). One of my guiding principles is that it should be undetectable in all senses - to policing agents, to other resource users, and to the environment (pack it ALL out).

 

Discussing tactics on the internet is just plain dumb. You might as well post details about your next delivery of BC marijuana, IRS tax evasion techniques, and the like while you're at it.

[n9643750]

Hey, whoa, sorry, didn't mean to upset anyone or ask a stupid question. I was just curious what the going rate is for the fine in question. I'm not likely to attempt any unpermitted trips.

[olyclimber]

Call up the ranger station and ask them how much the fine is! It does seem like a silly question to ask though: How much do I have to pay to break the law?

[stevetimetravlr]

You WILL run into the Rangers up there on a regular basis, so heartily recommend a permit. If you get caught without a permit, they will escort you all the way to your car, and issue you a healthy citation. A associate of mine saw the ranger coming so he ditched and left his partner to face the music. He was served at his house by the Sheriff a day later. Just get a permit, as the system really is for the preservation of the Enchantments.

or wait until the permit system expires in the Fall.

[yesman]

Last time I "checked" it was $125 per violator.

[DPS]

Years ago Alex and I made a casual day trip up Colchuck Peak. We self registered and got the day pass. Well, I was breaking in a new pair of boots and my feet were so blistered I opted to hike out from the lake barefoot. Moving slowly Alex decided to meet me at the car. He had the permit. I ran into a friendly ranger who asked a number of normal questions (what did you climb, how were conditions, etc.). Then is asked if I had a permit. I said my partner who is ahead of me has it. The ranger offered to keep me company on my hike out and we had a pleasant conversation. At the TR he indeed checked to see if I had a partner who had the permit.

[n9643750]

thanks

[Lisa_D]

Getting a permit is possible. We went to the lottery at 7:45 AM midweek and there was only 1 other party (also climbers) who wanted a permit for the core zone. We teamed up and shared the permit, but had to hike and camp reasonably close together. Weekends are probably a very different story! I've heard there are up to 18 groups who want a permit to camp in the core zone.

[TraverseFiend]

"...or pick a trail off the beaten path. Try Enchantment Peak, Hook & Rat Creeks or come in from Ingalls Creek up Crystal Creek."

 

 

Hah! Friend of mine got busted at the top of Rat Creek. Granted, that probably doesn't happen very often.

 

[mattp]

Last time I went up there the "core" zone was full but the ranger lady pointed out that we could get a permit for camping at Snow Lake. It meant hiking up the hill to get to Prusik Peak two days in a row, but we still got to go.

[threeladsdad]

Isn't there some saying about how 5% of the people cause 95% of the problems. Posting a question like this puts you in the 5% club. Congrats!!

[treknclime]

Without a permit, there maybe some increased liability aspects if you were injured...and a rescue was necessary. Not sure about that. I imagine it could be worse, too, if a someone in the rescue party got injured while trying to assist an unpermitted climber. Again, not sure what your liability would be in terms of picking up the rescue costs, penalties, etc, especially in the second scenario.

[AlpineK]

Isn't there some saying about how 5% of the people cause 95% of the problems. Posting a question like this puts you in the 5% club. Congrats!!

 

Hmm, asking for advice on how to avoid permits on a public forum. There's no way somebody responsible for enforcing permit rules would read that

[kevbone]

Anyone have any experience (good or bad) with bivvying in the enchantments minus the permit and running into a ranger?

 

Everyone has a different opinion. We climbed in the enchantments about 3 years ago. No permit. We tried to go car to car in a day but that was crazy to we bivied below the route and walked out in the morning. We were stopped by a ranger just before descending down Asgard pass. We just told him we were not sleeping over night (even though he could see our sleeping pads hanging off our packs) and he let us go. I think he was lazy and did not want to walk us out.

 

The permit thing for that far back is nuts. Only crazy people would openly walk / hike up Assgard pass. Its not like they have to have gates and a fence to keep out the masses. Just another way for them to control you.

[olyclimber]

Kev, what is your address? The rangers need to know where to send the ticket. Especially after you go so far as to call them "lazy".

 

And your "city boy" attitude regarding the Enchantments is moronic. It isn't "far back" and the permits are there for a good reason.

[AlpineK]

Yep, Kevbone that's one of the most idiotic things you've ever posted. The Enchantments are not a long way away. Well if you do more than drive to 7-11 for Cheetos and soda.

 

The area is a fragile alpine environment. Without some limits it would be overrun and trashed.

[kevbone]

Without some limits it would be overrun and trashed.

 

I disagree.

[KaskadskyjKozak]

 

Last year I met a party that hiked up Ingalls Creek, camped outside the Enchantments, and dayclimbed Prusik via Crystal Creek.

[kevbone]

Yep, Kevbone that's one of the most idiotic things you've ever posted.

 

Oh come now. I have posted way more idiotic things than that.....

[KaskadskyjKozak]

Only crazy people would openly walk / hike up Assgard pass.

 

It's a trail, you moron.

[jordansahls]

A friend and I camped up on Edward's mesa without permits one night during Memorial Day last year. It wasn't on purpose. I'm notoriously lazy when it comes to regulations. I erroneously figured that the mesa was outside of the permit zone. We approached via Hook creek to climb the Mole. We didn't see another soul. On a side note, Edwards mesa is one of the most unique and amazing features of the Enchantments in my opinion.