Here is Prusik Peak, reflected in Gnome Tarn during golden October.

Four years later, I set off again towards The Enchantments. After living in Seattle for 10 years, I’ve explored so many places around here that I dare to call it my adopted hometown, and yet, after my first visit to The Enchantments, I can’t help but agree that it’s the crown jewel of the Seattle area.

The permit to camp overnight in the core zone required extreme luck, so a one-day thru-hike was the ultimate choice. Last time, we went on October 8, 2020, and this year it was October 12. We were aiming for the peak golden larch season.

The weather was absolutely perfect, and the larches were in prime condition. After climbing across Aasgard Pass and stepping into the core zone of The Enchantments, we were surrounded by golden subalpine larches. Compared to my memory from four years ago, this year’s display was even more golden and denser.

A mule deer, recognized by its large, mule-like ears and brownish-gray coat. And a mountain goat, known for its thick white fur.

A detour to Gnome Tarn for photos was definitely worth it. Having seen a series of dreamlike pictures taken there, I was finally able to reach the same spot and capture the perfect shot of the Prusik Peak reflection.

I’ve marked Little Annapurna as a future detour for what may be another four-year return to The Enchantments.

The last time I passed through this area was almost ten years ago during my Route 66 road trip from Los Angeles to Chicago. Back then, I drove through Arizona so quickly that only the desert and cacti left me with some vague impressions as I passed through the city of Flagstaff.

Thanks to my friend’s good fortune, I had the chance to fly to Phoenix for the first time and venture north to explore more of the state, ultimately having one of my best backpacking experiences in a tiny village hidden inside the Grand Canyon.

While I will save my Havasupai trip for another post, I definitely want to spare some words to share my explorations in Sedona. In just one day, I managed to reach three different destinations around the Sedona area: the Subway Cave, the Birthing Cave, and Devil’s Bridge.

Having lived in the Pacific Northwest for 10 years, the landscape in Sedona was a striking contrast to me. The types of plants, the shapes of the mountains and rocks, the humidity of the air, and the strength of the sunshine all made a strong impression. I had almost forgotten that I hiked Angels Landing a couple of years before (pre-pandemic). Arriving at midnight, I was not aware of the drastic change in my surroundings until I woke up and pulled the curtains aside. The red rocks were so immense that even from afar, they immediately drew my attention with their unique shapes—something I would never find around Seattle.

The flyers in the hotel illustrated a lifestyle that was so different: ATV riding in the desert, helicopter tours into the valleys, stargazing at night, and absorbing cosmic energy while meditating. Indeed, it is believed that Sedona is a vortex where energy moves up or down in a spiral.

For us, though, without a lot of luxurious time to spare, my friend and I headed directly to the destinations on our list. All three destinations were easy to moderate hikes, but the views were quite gorgeous. It was a bit of a pity that the blue sky did not show up when we were at the Subway Cave; otherwise, the photos would have been more impressive. It was quite fascinating to imagine how water had shaped the landscape and then disappeared after completing its work, as well as those people who discovered these places and marked the way for future visitors. By the way, I was just shocked by my friend driving the SUV (Toyota 4Runner) on Dry Creek Road! Just do not attempt it unless you have a vehicle with very high clearance and are extremely confident in your skills!

The turquoise McDonald’s arch also earned a spot on our destination list. While the reasoning behind it, ensuring harmony with the natural colors of the landscape, was somewhat unconvincing, the uniqueness itself was worth a brief stop. Besides this, there are quite a few other places that I marked on the map for future visits, including the Chapel of the Holy Cross, Tuzigoot, Montezuma Castle National Monument, and the Gold King Mine & Ghost Town, among others.

This year, SR 20 the North Cascades Highway opened unusually early due to the increasingly warm weather. I had been planning this scenic cycling trip for years but was concerned about the road conditions and whether they would be suitable for my road bike. This time, I borrowed a gravel bike from a friend and finally made the trip!

The trailhead felt like a party. The parking lot was packed, and the highway shoulder was lined with vehicles. The entire trip route from Ross Dam Trailhead to the Washington Pass sign spanned roughly 60 miles with an elevation gain of 5,000 feet. We maintained a relaxed pace and finished just before a beautiful sunset.

The entire route was easier than I had anticipated. Although there were multiple passes to cross, the inclines were manageable. When riding back, you can imagine how it felt to descend 4,000 feet.

Riding in the center of the highway, enjoying the full width of the road, was a unique experience. The views were just gorgeous. And it turned out there were not as many tiny rocks or dirt patches as expected, so a road bike could have easily handled it.

Our final stop was just past Early Winter Spires at the roadside view of Washington Pass. I’m grateful for all the hard work done to clear the route, providing us cyclists with this once-a-year opportunity.