Hiking the Enchantments, an 18-mile trail that twists through jagged peaks and pristine, blue lakes, gaining over 4,000 feet of elevation in the heart of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, is one of Washington’s most daring pastimes.

It was one Eastern Washington woman’s fifth time on the trail since August when her blood sugar suddenly dropped, but a group of hikers who happened to lose their way found her and safely brought her to first responders. Among them was a certified rope rescue firefighter.

“I think we were kind of strangely prepared,” said Solomon Ward, 20, of British Columbia, a second-year student at Whitworth University.

As its name suggests, hiking the Enchantments is nothing short of enchanting. Over 100,000 people make the journey each year, with many spending weeks or months preparing.

But for Nathan Elfers, 19, of Sumner, also a second-year student at Whitworth University, who braved the trail Oct.…