Adventures with Kelly and Kyle

Enchanted by the Enchantments. While Kyle took a trip to Outer Space, I took a trip into the Enchantments.

We made plans to meet up with Haley in Washington. She drove over 8 hours to meet us. We were staying on BLM land with little to no service, even with our signal booster. She had the pin on google maps and we had an approximate estimated time of arrival. What could go wrong?

The ETA came and went it was dark now. I got worried so we made cardboard signs and walked out to the road. We placed our “Haley 😊” sign and walked up the road in case she drove too far. A few other vehicles stopped and asked if we needed help and/or for directions, but neither were Haley. Kyle and I give up and we go back to the van. The next morning we got up early and headed into town and service. There we found Haley. We stocked up on groceries and water in town then headed out to a crag for climbing.

Outer Space, 6 Pitches ranging from 5.7-5.9, 700 feet of climbing and an hour hike to the base of the route (if you’re a good hiker). I did not feel up to the task, I’m not a fast hiker and this is THE route to do in Icicle Creek Canyon in the Enchantment mountains. More often than not, I get anxious when hustling to a route trying to be the first group there, then climbing in between groups on the route. I never want to be the climber holding up other groups. I’m sure I make it a much bigger deal in my head than it needs to be but nonetheless it was out of my comfort zone.

Kyle and Haley were both really excited about the route so I convinced the two to climb it without me. I found a hike using the same trailhead and a date was picked. We woke up at 4 in the morning made breakfast and started the van. There was frost on the windshield, we should have started the van earlier to warm it up. We get to the trailhead and it is packed! Kyle and Haley hit the trail. I hang back at the van and make a mug of coffee, still trying to wake up.

I review the description of my route on last time, load up on water and snacks in a back, fill out my backcountry permit and hit the trail.

Two men pass me early on, they look to be day hikers as well. 30 minutes later I caught up to them on the switchbacks, one kept stopping to take pictures; I say hello again, pass them and keep hiking. I upped my pace a little so I could enjoy the solitude of the morning.

On my way, I kept trying to see the climb that Kyle and Haley would be on and I kept checking the trail for the climber’s turn off, I missed it. The morning was quiet, the trail wound up the mountain and along Snow Creek. In sections the creek babbled and bubbled it’s way past boulders and over downed trees. There were a few sections of the trail that just begged to be jogged, so I did. I marveled at a stand of big cedar trees, seriously out of nowhere you were suddenly in the midst of a dozen ancient cedars. I tried to measure one with my arm-span, it didn’t work very well with just me.

Quite a few times I stopped to sip water and catch my breathe at the top of grueling switch backs. A few times I had to will myself to just keep putting one foot in front of the other. This prompted the song from a childhood Christmas movie to pop into my head and keep me company for a few switchbacks. It really took my mind off how steep the terrain was. Onward I hiked, naming a few sections of trail as I went: “Autumn Alley” and “Cedar Cove,” to name a few.

Along the way the wind picked up and I was suddenly being rained on by pine needles. It sounded like rain however only pine needles made their way down to the forest floor. I had never experienced anything like that before. I was thankful it wasn’t rain, for the sake of Kyle and Haley up climbing!

Eventually I made it to my destination, Nada Lake.

I had the lake all to myself. The first thing I did was take off my hiking boots and soak my feet in the lake. The lake felt gloriously cold, my hot sweaty feet enjoyed every minute in it. I ate a few snacks as well as a cold bubbl’r I packed for a treat. While my feet dried, I stretched my legs and did a bit of yoga.

As I stretched, I contemplated hiking onwards to Lower and Upper Snow Lakes, another 600-800 feet of elevation gain over 1.5 miles. I was intrigued to see these other lakes and more of the wilderness but my legs were tired and my hip joint was aching. I still had 5.3 miles to get back to the van descending 3,600 feet of elevation, I decided not to add on another 3 miles. The Lower and Upper Snow Lakes would have to wait for another day.

I felt like I had taken a long time getting to Nada and I didn’t want Kyle and Haley to get back to the van first and worry about me. Back down the trail I went. This time I passed a few more hikers along the way. A few groups appeared to be on their way out backpacking in the back country. I was a little jealous they were able to get a permit to camp in the Enchantment wilderness. From what I’ve seen so far it looks like the coolest stretch of wilderness I’ve seen.

Before I knew it I was in front of Outer Space, the climb Haley and Kyle were on. Yes, this time I found! It was quite obvious to me on the way back down. I felt silly I missed it on my way up, I’ll blame it on still being early in the morning. I could see helmets and tiny people making their way up the rock face. Because I saw what Kyle and Haley were wearing earlier in the day, and I knew their helmet color I was able to pick them out on the wall! I snapped quite a few pictures and watched from afar as they topped out on the final, glorious pitch up to the summit. It looked like so much fun! I waved and cheered from below, but there was no way they would have seen or known it was me.

Above Kyle tops out on Outer Space, Below Haley follows!

As I was out of water, I continued my hike down to the van. 24 switchbacks later I crossed the final bridge over Icicle Creek and back to the van. Once back I stretched again, my legs were quite tired! Filled up my water bottle and devoured a few snacks while I waited for Kyle and Haley to return.

They stopped at the creek for a quick dip after their climb. Then we headed into town for send cream (aka ice cream). The most delicious cup of ice cream it was. Outer Space sounded like quite the route, Kyle and Haley were not disappointed. I thoroughly enjoyed my hike and was quite pleased I witnessed part of their picturesque day climbing. Leavenworth did not disappoint; we barely scratched the surface and enjoyed each piece we’ve discovered so far.

For more pictures and videos from our time in Washington check out:https://adventureswithkk.com/?page_id=772