2008.10.18-19. Enchantment Lakes. Aptly named. I'm thoroughly enchanted and almost as thoroughly exhausted. Should have stayed longer in this fairyland, if weather permitted.The forecast of good weather and the lift of camping permit (required 6/15-10/15) drew a small hardy crowd to this strenuous yet rewarding hike. Quite a few did one-way hike and in a single day (~18 miles)! Here is a trail map of the Enchantment basin.
Day 1. Started at Snow Lake trail head at 8:45am. Lots of maples and half burnt evergreen trees on the slopes flank Icicle Creek. Quite colorful. By noon, reached Nada Lake. Fish in lake. Had lunch. Surrounding peaks become more menacing at Snow Lakes. The grassy lower lake and sandy upper lake is separated by a dam. 
The trail soon picks up slope and eventually becomes endless scramble towards the next cairn. At ~ mile 9, a waterfall tumbles from the sky - announcing the entrance to the Enchantment Lakes basin. At 4pm, Lake Vivian unveils the splendor of steep cliffs, blue water and golden larches. Set up tent at the southern tip of Leprechaun Lake at 4:30pm. Temperature drops quickly after 5 as the sun disappears soon after. Myriads of stars.
Day 2. Up at 7am. Watching Leprechaun Lake gradually lit up by the morning sun. Perfect reflection over newly formed ice. Headed to the upper basin shortly after 8am. 
One charming lake after another: Sprite, Perfection, Inspiration. Golden needles surround every rock in the stream and water edges. Strolling in this wonderland without a heavy backpack is an utmost delight. Perfection Lake is probably the largest. Its northern end, grassy and gentle, offers many camp sites, and the start of trails to Gnome Tarn and Prusik Pass. 
The middle basin is open and rugged, many camp sites with great view of surrounding jagged peaks, but increasingly hard to find hiding spots. Trees give away to rocks as elevation gains. Cairns mark the trail. Lots of scramble. Tranquil Lake is mostly iced over. 
Colchuck (or Aasgard) Pass offers expansive views of distant mountains: Mount Baker, Twin Sisters, Eldorado Peak, and the glistening Colchuck Lake 2300 ft below, with half of the moon still hanging high. 
Heading back from the pass at 11:15. Cooked lunch, packed tent around 1:40pm, reached Snow Lakes dam at 4:30pm. Colors of maples and fireweeds appeared more vibrant in dusk. Walked the last two hours in flash light. Back in car at ~8pm.Logistics:
