Washington alpine hang zones (what areas do/don't work for hammocks?) Enchantments?

[Playapixie]

Hey gang,

Any generalities regarding areas that work well vs don't work for hammock backpacking in western Washington? Thinking back through all of my years of hikes I really can't think of many places that had no trees, but then, I wasn't looking for hammock trees on those hikes. Are there any clues you use when choosing hikes that tell you it may (or may not) be a good location for hanging?

In particular, I'm headed to the Enchantment Lakes in September. We only got a Snow Lakes permit so we'll be there for 3 nights (with day hikes into the core Enchantments,) and from photos I've looked at, it seems there should be plenty of trees at least at that level...

Thanks,
Dawn

[NordicNorm]

Plenty of trees up to below Aasgard Pass, none up on Little Annapurna, but well worth the climb for the views. I love that place. I was perched up on a rocky outcrop looking toward Rat lake on a summer afternoon once when a cloud of butterflys passed around me. Another time a nanny Mtn goat and kid chased me round my camp. Think they thought I'd be a good salt lick. Have fun up there.

[Playapixie]

Thanks, NordicNorm!

[NordicNorm]

My pleasure. A few afterthoughts - lots of good rock to hang from in the Enchantments if you have the appropriate climbing gear, skills, etc. and inclination. Also, while Sept. is usually the "golden zone" weather-wise for North Cascade Alpine, unseasonal early snows are possible (and can be slippery on all that boot-polished granite). There are some permanent snow fields and steeps above the upper lakes where light duty crampons and an ice axe are nice to have.

[Brian Miller]

This is a great question and I'm really glad you asked! Being a noob to hanging I was/am curious too. Look at these pics.
Garmin Enchantments.jpg Earth Enchantments.jpg Earth Enchantments Zoom.jpg
Look a the size of the downed trees in the zoom pic.

I think you are going to find trees available below 5000' in most areas if it's not a narrow avalanche-prone valley, and higher in broader basins. But in any case, take a topo, zoom in with Google Earth and take a look and it will give you a real good idea.

[NordicNorm]

[Playapixie]

[QUOTE=NordicNorm;1262317]

Thanks for the videos! Hard core!

So gorgeous. I can't wait to be there.

[Playapixie]

Look a the size of the downed trees in the zoom pic.

I think you are going to find trees available below 5000' in most areas if it's not a narrow avalanche-prone valley, and higher in broader basins. But in any case, take a topo, zoom in with Google Earth and take a look and it will give you a real good idea.

Great tip! Thanks!

Of course, being a gram-weenie, I'm also trying to learn how to tell how big of tree-huggers I'll need. Guessing that the higher I'm camped, the smaller the trees, but it would be a bummer to end up with too small of gear because I cut 2 ounces... :-P

[ceiliazul]

i take an 8 foot strap and a six foot strap. if the strap does t quite reach, put the strap around the back and use rope to finish the loop around the tree on the hammock. my straps have a dutch clip on one end and a sewn loop on the other to make this easy.

with my six and eight foot combo, i can site most areas in sub-alpine western WA.

[Playapixie]

i take an 8 foot strap and a six foot strap. if the strap does t quite reach, put the strap around the back and use rope to finish the loop around the tree on the hammock. my straps have a dutch clip on one end and a sewn loop on the other to make this easy.

with my six and eight foot combo, i can site most areas in sub-alpine western WA.

I've got 4's and 8's and was considering one of each, too...saves a whole ounce..woot. ;-P Though how much extra cord do I have to cary for the difference "just in case"...more than an ounce? And how silly do I feel going out of my way to cut one ounce...? (Yeah, I know, do that enough times and you've saved a pound...!)