The Enchantments — Wednesday, Jul. 13, 2016

Central Cascades > Leavenworth Area

I was able to score a last minute permit for 4 days on recreation.gov for The Enchantments! I was so excited to get this as I didn't win the lottery in March. I packed my stuff and my son drove me from Tacoma to the trail head to Snow Lakes. It was very hot and it was after noon already. I set out not worrying about making it by any time other than settling somewhere off the trail before dark. The trail was very nice for about the first 2 miles and then it got pretty sketchy in areas and easy to lose if not paying attention the boulders I walked through in some areas while gaining elevation were crazy and dangerous in some areas, one slip and I would sure be hurting. I made it to a bridge where there was a flat patch of space to set up camp for the night, it was about 100 feet away from the sign that says "no more fires after this point". Someone had left a little fire pit so I used it and made a small fire. I set up camp and put out fire about an hour later as I was so tired. It was a peaceful night and I slept well. I headed out early next morning for Snow Lakes. It was another hot sunny day. I was alone on the trail for the first 2 hours then I ran into all kinds of people. Mostly people heading out off trail. When I came to the first big campground at Nada Lake (I think) there were a lot of people. I met another solo hiker from Portland who was only staying out one more night but camping at Nada Lake. She walked with me for a while then headed back. I ran into mountain goats and tons of mosquitoes! I stopped to put on the bug spray and cover up more. I arrived at Snow Lakes and scored a beautiful spot on the lake. It was so peaceful. I was almost to the edge of where the Core Enchantments separates from the Snow Lake Zone. So I set up camp for a few days and hiked into the core every day (crazy hard climb every day). I met so many awesome people from all over the world. I took hundreds of photos! On my last day I got up early and headed back out the way I came in on the Snow Lakes Trail. I hiked for about 3 hours and made good timing until about a mile from the parking lot I started feeling weird. Then my heart kicked up rate to an uncountable rate (190's) I couldn't count my pulse at all and I sat down and tried coughing several times to force HR out of the fast rhythm it was in. It worked but took about 5 tries. I drank more water and took some nuun tablets in my water. I kept walking and BOOM! it happened again. I went through holding my breath to coughing over and over until it worked again. I was so scared at this point. I walked so slow the rest of the way down hill. When I got to the parking lot, I was early and my son wasn't due for an hour or so. I was feeling beyond sick at this point. I tried to cool off in the stream below. I felt worse! I tried to get in any possible shade (behind the restrooms). It was 100 degrees out, and I was feeling worse by the minute. I flagged a couple in the parking lot with a baby and asked for a lift into town. They were the nicest people ever! They loaded my stuff in their truck and drove me to 4 corners gas station where I flagged my son in. My son then drove me to small hospital in Leavenworth. My potassium was 2.5!!! No wonder I felt like death! They replaced my potassium and gave me some IVF's and my son drove us home to Tacoma. I still felt weird for about 3 hours. I learned a lot from this trip. I am a critical care nurse with 20 years of experience. I did not think it was my potassium the whole time. I thought it was something else. I took e-lyte replacements on the trail, I drank enough water, I ate well and this still happened to me. Anything can happen out there whether you are prepared for it or not. Be smart and get help out there if needed, it will save your life. I had a DeLorme inreach and I didn't press the button because I felt I wasn't suffering enough I guess. The reality is that the young couple saved my life and I am thankful I met them. A follow up with my doctor showed that my potassium was trending downward for a while and it was missed. I am now on daily replacements. Aside from the medical issues on this trip, this was the best hiking trip I had so far in my life! The most beautiful place in WA to hike. I didn't get the lottery this year either, but no worries, there are always cancellations on the website.