Bailing on a backpacking trip is never easy. Bailing on the same trip 2 years in a row feels a bit like a punch in the gut. However, when the consolation prize is winning a walk up permit for the Core Enchantments, things could be worse.

I had been eyeing a particular high route for a couple years now. While fairly ambitious for a one nighter, it was completely possible. We had the weather for it and despite the thick wildfire smoke we were plagued with this past summer, we decided to make it a go. As we were loading up the car that evening, I couldn't shake a feeling that something felt off. If I could elaborate, I would. I just can't put words to it. Something just felt off. As we sat in the driveway with the car loaded up and ready to go, I became so irritated by the feeling that I convinced myself I was forgetting something. It had to be something big and something obvious I thought. After one more pass through the house, a bag dump and repack, I knew I had everything. But the feeling remained.

The feeling was really cemented after a series of events along the forest road which included a freshly built road block, a stolen car and some...uhh...questionable people who were lingering a little too close to the trailhead for comfort. We backtracked to the highway and decided to try our luck on the walk up Enchantment lottery the following morning at the ranger station. The thick wildfire smoke kept the typical crowds away so our odds were fairly good. Sure enough, with one core permit available, our name was called. Despite the thick smoke and daytime temps in the mid to upper 90’s, I’d call that a pretty good back up plan.

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