I have hiked up here several times and camped along the lake in Fall. Loved this place. The trail coming up to the lake was burnt out about 10 years ago so there is a lot less trees and more lower vegetation now. As you can see the left side of Upper Eight Mile and some of the right side burnt out in the fire. You got the little eight mile lake then big eight mile. They were building the dam higher at Eight Mile Lake to hold back more of the water for irrigation for the Apple Groves. The core Enchantments are beautiful but most people miss seeing Shield and Earl Lake over Prusik Pass above Perfection Lake. I have hiked through the Enchantments for 10 years. I have been hiking in Washington State for 30 years and you are right there just is no better place to hike than Washington State.
