Trip Report
Lake Lacrosse & O'Neil Pass
Lake Lacrosse & O'Neil Pass
- Tue, Sep 23, 2014
- Enchanted Valley
- Backpacking
- Successful
- Road suitable for all vehicles
It's a long way to get there (52 miles round trip), but well worth the effort.
We hiked 13 miles from Graves Creek trailhead and spent out first night at Enchanted Valley. The next day we hiked another 13 miles under low clouds and light rain showers over O'Neil Pass and camped on the knoll above Marmot Lake, in a site with fantastic views. On day 3, we day hiked to and swam in Hart Lake and Lake La Crosse, with more views and lazed in the sun. At Lake La Crosse we saw two black bears grazing the abundant blueberries (we grazed too; plenty for everyone). Near Marmot Lake, we also saw a large solitary bull elk and a herd of elk presided over by two bulls. During the night and morning we were serenaded by bugling elk.
On our fourth day, we hiked back to Enchanted Valley; this time under clear skies with views from the ocean to Mt. Olympus (and more blueberries). We hiked back to our cars on the fifth day.
No bugs and no crowds.