And after you eat dinner, make sure to go grab some ice cream from Whistlepunk! The weather in the mountains can change quickly, so always bring a rainjacket just in case! Uphill hikers always have the right-of way, and downhill hikers who see approaching hikers should find a suitable spot to let the uphill hikers pass. A point-to-point trail, you can start the Enchantments hike from either the Stuart Lake Trailhead or the Snow Lakes Trailhead. Before setting out on this trip, make sure you are physically ready for a strenuous hike through the wilderness! It is easy to lose the main path up Aasgard Pass, but you will want to take the extra time to stay on it, since it is more solid and easier, especially if you are carrying a heavy overnight pack. 15 Best Hikes in North Cascades National Park, 11 Best Waterfalls in Washington State + Hikes to Find Them, How to Get From Seattle to Bainbridge Island (By Ferry or Road Trip! When is the best season to go? We couldnt get enough of this section, and highly recommend it as the best for camping! Although this is difficult, many people prefer this option to hiking the other direction, which involves a much longer strenuous uphill section of trail. If you begin at the lower Snow Creek Trailhead, reverse the numbers. View more hiking details on Washington Trails Association for both Colchuck Lake and the whole Enchantments enchilada. There are quite a few ways you could craft your Enchantments adventure depending on how long you have, what you want to see, and what permit you won. Yay, congrats! The lakes clear, blue (and freeeezing cold!) When you are being approached by faster hikers from behind, it is also courtesy to let them pass. My dad. Having said that, dont let the challenge dissuade you! We coordinated with two friends (Yvonne and Jeffrey) on the dates we wanted, zones we wanted to apply for, and other logistics. While Aasgard Pass terrifies us, we want to experience it once in our lifetime and wed rather do it without the heavy packs. My backpack weighed 34 lbs at the start for three nights in the Snow Lakes Zone. Hiking the Enchantments means your jaw will drop at every turn. This is actually the highest elevation point on the entire trail, so from here, the rest of the hike is mostly downhill. As you descend, you will reach Snow Lakes and Nada Lake, both with a variety of campgrounds for the weary hiker. How late can you hike the Enchantments? The views are dramatic, but they come at a price, as the trail is a near-constant climb through rocks and forest. Welcome to Go Wander Wild. a little bit of snow on the trail even in early September The Enchantments hike is most commonly completed as a one-way thru-hike since the hike is long and the terrain can be difficult. Day-to-day, the weather can be unpredictable. living on the road in our. We have a leisurely morning, then set out on a meandering dayhike up through the snow into the Upper Core. Core Enchantments:From Colchuck Lake to the top of Aasgard Pass:2.5 miles (one way)2,500 ft elevation gain, From the inlet of Upper Snow Lake to Lake Viviane:1.5 miles (one way)1,400 ft elevation gain. The best chances of obtaining a permit are to pick dates earlier or later in the season and avoid major holidays. It is one of our favorite Washington memories and we cannot wait to experience it again someday! This lake is one of the most dramatic lakes in the basin, as it is set in a deep basin below Prusik Peak and above the ridge towards Snow Lakes. Talk about timing! However, to go backpacking in the Enchantments between May 15 and October 31, you will need to secure a permit from the US Forest Service. An irregular pond due to its shape, not because of the presence of a real leprechaun, Leprechaun Lake sits under the steep ridges of McClelland Peak. Thanks! Just beyond Aasgard Pass, the area known as the Core Enchantments Zone offers otherworldly views completely different from the forest below. A hard-to-acquire permit is required to camp in any of the area's five zones, with the Enchantment Core permit being the most desirable. On average, 10 active hours for typical hiking speed of 1000 ft/hr. After getting b, Our beautiful home in Mrida! Its also nice to see how far you have to your next stop . En route, youll spot the craggy peaks of the Enchantments without a thigh-burning climb. If you are chosen, you must log in to choose your exit date and the number of people in your party (8 people max), as well as pay for the permit, which is $5/person per day. Prusik Peak over Lake Viviane. We spent hours doing this one day and it saved us from being bored as we were cooped up in our tent! If you use the links provided and make a purchase, we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Hi yall! Just outside of the Bavarian town of Leavenworth, the Enchantments are part of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness filled with pristine glacial lakes surrounded by towering granite peaks. Backpacking the Enchantments is a very strenuous trip that (with the proper training!) To enter the permit lottery, you will first need to apply during the annual permit lottery (exact dates vary by year). Wildlife in the area is accustomed to visitors, making it easy to get good pictures of any you spot during your trip. Hello from the Florida Keys! This 18-mile point-to-point traverse climbs up and over the heart of the mountain range, affording you the opportunity to soak in the grandeur of the Enchantments. Thanks for the ideas! If you are cooking in the alpine, research proper techniques for cleaning pots and pans. Near the Bavarian town of Leavenworth (but hidden from sight), The Enchantments loom. In 2018 (still waiting on 2019 numbers), 17,586 people applied for 708 Core permitsgiving them a 4% chance to snag one. Hiking The Enchantments in Washington . Before July (and sometimes even into July! Here are two ways you can geta permit after the lottery closes: Our tip: even though this didnt work for us, apply with friends to increase your chances. Arrive by 7:30 AM to enter the walk-up lottery. External chargerThis is a must for a multi-day backpacking trip! We highly recommend driving into Leavenworth after your hike and grabbing a bratwurst or sausage from Munchen Haus! The road to Colchuck lake does close in the winter, but it typically is open for a bit after October 31, giving you a little bit of a window to do the hike depending on the weather. The setting is picture-perfect; however, hiking here in just one day from Stuart Lake is challenging. Our friends all brought Mountain House meals and loved theirs too! The trail steadily climbs through dense forest, with increasingly picturesque views of the valley below. . We bought a new water filter for the trip and the water filtered super fastit was amazing! Ambitious day hikers will be richly rewarded for tackling all 20 miles in a day. Redwood National Park in California - (https://youtu.be . Rating. 4.73 out of 5. Instead of backpacking, wed love to try day hiking it next time. This can be a good place to plan for a night of rest if downhill hiking presents difficulty. To overnight between May and October, however, a lottery permit is required. If youre hiking the Enchantments with another person but only have one vehicle, another option is to rent an additional car to drop off at the endpoint. Local groups often provide introductory courses on backpacking and camping, which would be good practice before embarking on an Enchantments trip. After entering the permit lottery in 2018 and failing to get permits, we didnt feel too confident going into the 2019 lottery. I booked this time as I wanted the beautiful golden larches. With your permit you will receive special parking permits for each of the trailhead, allowing you to park in designated spots for permitees. The mountain goats in particular are habituated to visitors. Last year, I did the hike up to the summit of Mt. The Alpine Lakes Wilderness named "The Enchantments" draws explorers from all over the world. This is a very popular area for backpacking, camping, and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Ensure you know the correct routes and have the gear to keep you safe. The first campsites are at Lake Colchuck, about four miles into the hike. The Snow Lake trailhead is off of Icicle Creek Road and has a decent parking lot. Note: Winners are drawn at random, so it makes absolutely no difference when you apply, as long as its within the application period. A hike through the Enchantments is a very strenuous hike. The route is described below beginning at the Stuart Lake Trailhead. We recommend this RAVPower Charger, which has two charging ports! This Pacific Northwest travel blog is dedicated to exploring the best of the region, with a special emphasis on Washingtons small towns, national parks, and many incredible weekend getaways. However, weve seen young children complete it, so it could make a great family excursion! Although its only 4.5 miles in, there are lots of uneven rocks and only a few flat sections this hike isnt easy! Once you reach Colchuck Lake, the trail proceeds around the edge of the lake, passing by the campsites until it crosses the boulder field on the other side of the lake and then begins the steep passage up Aasgard Pass. If you are looking for an epic day hike, check out our Colchuck Lake trail guide for all the info you need! water is almost as impressive as the backdrop: the jagged and dramatic Dragontail peak. At risk of sounding entirely cliche, this place is absolutely enchanting. Since youll be at a higher elevation, the nights may get cool. The Traverse runs through the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, and as you might guessit passes by a stunning array of glacial-fed lakes. With a daypack, the scrambling isnt too bad (I hate rock scrambling and didnt cry! This ethereal landscape of lakes, basins, and rugged peaks is a delightful place to hike through. It is never acceptable to clean pots by submerging them in a natural body of water. The summer temperatures drop (it occasionally reaches a scorching 100 degrees in July and August!) If you click through a link on Small Town Washington, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. YouTube, Travel Guides, Gear, & FAQs. As an Amazon Associate, Small Town Washington earns from qualifying purchases. But the wait, stress, and uncertainty of getting to access this area is worth it!Note: Dogs are not allowed in the Enchantments. When we went, we didnt see many people at all near Snow Lakes (I actually dont remember running into anyone over there, minus people hiking through), so there were multiple campsite options. In fact, people have died doing so from falling into crevasses or waterfall holes. You can often find us driving all around the US and Canada, scoping out the best coffee shops, eating tacos and ice cream (were a 5+ taco and 2+ scoop household), and enjoying nature. This is a helpful article as I plan my permit asks and hopeful my hike. I did this as a thru hike in September, the trail was harder than I anticipated. Second, waste management in the Enchantments is difficult since the area receives a high amount of use. From Lake Viviane, the trail descends steeply down towards the Snow Lakes. But similar to Eightmile/Caroline, this permit is much easier to get! There are five permit zones: Core Enchantment, Snow Lake, Colchuck Lake, Stuart Lake, and the Eightmile/Caroline zone. The ideal time to hike the Enchantments trail for warm and dry weather is late July and August. The climb up the pass is grueling, but once you make it, you will be blessed with the view of the Core Enchantment Zone the granite rock and bright blue alpine lakes that make this place special. Most people prefer to backpack in the Enchantments during the summer months, to enjoy the clear blue lakes and granite rocks. Positive Elev. Adam, Kathryn, & Kona The Enchantments are one of the most enchanting (sorry, we had to!) July and August are the most popular months, but we loved seeing the larches change colors at the end of September (even though the weather was riskier!). Day 1: Hike to Snow Lake and set up campDay 2: Explore the Core area all day and then head back your campsite at Snow LakeDay 3: Hike out through Colchuck. My favorite waterfall's still in its winter coat. Theyre especially perfect for people spending just one night on the trail, since youll conquer most of the elevation on the first day and have nothing but downhill miles the second. The Enchantments don't come easy. This area is called Aasgard Pass, and it's a lung-straining 2,000-ft climb in just under a mile. The trail through the Enchantments is also very rocky and uneven, further increasing the difficulty of the hike. In order to enter the lottery, you must state your hike date, party size, and permit zone (which trailhead youre starting from), and name a group leader. I've read trip reports at nwhiker.net and portlandhikers.org for the off season that inspired my warning : ) Also just the cascades in general in June. Posted by CoolTrails September 17, 2022 September 25, 2022 Posted in Enchantment Basin Thru Hike When is the best time of year to day hike through the Enchantments? While most of the trail isn't very technically challenging, it's brutal in that it's very long and steep. Distance: 19.25 miles (31 km) Difficulty: Extremely strenuous Total Elevation Gain: 5,500 feet (1,675 meters) Total Elevation Loss: 7,000 feet (2,133 meters) Comment below if you have questions about hiking the Enchantments in Washington state and well do our best to get back to you! They have two parking lots in this area (the first one is for Eightmile and next one is for Stuart/Colchuck), as well as an overnight only parking area for those with overnight permits. Hiking up Aasgard Pass means that the remaining 13 miles of trail are generally downhill. Ever since moving to Washington and learning about this beautiful region, we had our sights set on backpacking there. Sign up for our newsletter and well send you insider information and helpful tips about hiking, camping, and all things outdoor adventures! So on September 14, with fully loaded packs, we headed into the Enchantments! We day hiked the 8 miles round trip to Colchuck a couple summers ago and despite running out of water (rookie mistake), it is still one of our favorite hikes in all of Washington! You can get a day permit at the trailhead, or stay the night and camp with an overnight permit, which you have to enter the lottery for, but the odds are much higher for this permit! If you do not get a permit during the permit window, or happen to be visiting outside of that window, there is a small chance you can hike in the area during other times of the year, but you will likely encounter a lot of snow. You cant go wrong with overnighting at any of the five lakes; theyre all stunning! Your email address will not be published. We arrived at Stuart/Colchuck at 7 AM and got the last overnight permit spot and there were lots of day hikers that were struggling to park. Day 4: Hike out through Colchuck. Camping spots are limited, but when possible, put your tent up away from other tents to give other campers privacy. If you choose to climb up Aasgard Pass, as recommended in this guide, you will be carrying a full overnight pack with the food up 2,000 feet of elevation gain in less than a mile. 25. r/hiking. Try this 20.5-mile point-to-point trail near Leavenworth, Washington. Soon, the forest reappears and its a foot-battering descent down to the Snow Lake trailhead. Best 2-Person Tents for Camping & Backpacking, 17 Best Hikes in Capitol Reef National Park, Utah, Dispersed Camping: What is It & How to Find Dispersed Campsites, 25 Hiking Lunch Ideas to Keep You Fed on the Trail, Cracker Lake Trail Guide for Glacier National Park, Tips for Eco Camping: A Guide for the Environmentally Conscious Camper, navigation: physical map, phone* with offline maps downloaded (or both), layers (here is a great resource if youre wondering, sun protection: sunscreen, hat, sun glasses, water bottles and bladder for your Camelbak, way to purify your water (we used our Grayl water bottles on this trail and they were fantastic! While our experience hiking the Enchantments wasnt the traditional experiencewe didnt have a Core permit and we skipped Aasgard pass due to weather concernswe had such a fun, rainy and memorable three days. Youll share the first part of the trail into the Enchantments with many fellow hikers since its one of the best (and closest!) Additionally, this is where you'll get to do some off-trail excursions. It'll vary depending on how many breaks are taken for how long and if you can trail-run parts of it. From the Stuart Lake Trailhead, the trail heads first towards Colchuck Lake a 4-mile hike from the trailhead. But once you get up Aasgard, you have an alpine lake filled playground to call home for the night. Will travel for tacos, BBQ, & ice cream . places in Washington and in this guide were sharing all of our tips for hiking the Enchantments, including how to get permits, what to pack, different route options, and things to know before you go!This past September we got to knock off an item from our bucket list: hiking the Enchantments in Washington! Are you planning on carrying them the entire way? Permits are required for day and overnight use in this area. In addition to the lottery permits, a very limited number of permits are reserved for walk-ins available at the Leavenworth Ranger Station. places in Washington and in this guide we're sharing all of our tips for hiking the Enchantments, including how to get permits, what to pack, different route options, and things to know before you go!This past September we got to kn. Although the Enchantments hike can be done in two days, this hike is best done in at least three days, spending two nights camping within the permit zone. :) Nestled in the Cascade Mountains, the Enchantments is full of alpine lakes, rocky peaks, larches, mountain goats, and incredible views. Once applications are drawn, there is a few-week period where successful applicants must accept their permit. Because of the popularity of the area, backpacking permits to camp in the core Enchantments area are required May 15-October 31st, and they are in high demand -- I've applied three years in a row without any luck. Go Wander Wild are participants in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Note: in 2019 they reduced the number of permits due to wildfire damage. One awesome thing about this permit is that you can camp in any of the zones, which gives you a lot of flexibility in your trip! PS: the trailheads all have bathrooms! If you spend any time in Washington, it won't take long to hear about the Enchantments. Stuart Lake is at the end of this valley, but youre actually going to detour and gain a bit more elevation in order to reach stunning Colchuck Lake. You can apply for permits during the second half of February through Recreation.gov, and winners are drawn, lottery-style, in early March. "I can see why it's called the Enchantments. You can either try to get a walk up permit (covered above) or day hike it (covered below). Where is the Enchantments hike? Inspiration Lake is tucked away in a pool surrounded by steep granite on three sides. If you have two nights, spend some extra time exploring the side trails and lakes in this area. But we couldnt miss the opportunity to go, so we committed to the permits and figured we would make it all work. Finally, although it sounds funny at first, hitch-hiking is another good option. hiking the Enchantments, WA. Mile 11: The shores of the Snow Lakes are the last large group of campsites. Permits: Note: We did not visit all of these spots due to timing, but we wanted to! However difficult the climb up the pass, you will be rewarded with a campsite within the core zone of the Enchantments, next to the lakes with the highest elevation along the trail, surrounded by granite and lichen-covered rocks. At one end, the hike begins at the Stuart Lake Trailhead. Clothing itemsLayers are a great idea any time of the year while hiking the Enchantments. Here are some of these hiking courtesies that help improve everyones trip. Drive 4 miles past the Snow Lakes parking lot until you reach FS Road 7601. Hike Summary Distance: 20 miles one way Total Elevation Gain: 5,800 ft Total Elevation Loss: 7,400 ft Starting Elevation: 3,400 ft Highest Point: 7,800 ft Hike Time: 16 - 17 hrs Difficulty: Extremely Difficult Seasons: July - September Dogs: Not Allowed Pass Required (Day Hike): Northwest Forest Pass The parking lots have very limited parking even with these designated spots, so it is a good idea to arrive as early as possible. Through-hiking the Enchantments in one day will challenge and reward you, but it's not for everyone. Stuart: The Stuart zone is named after Lake Stuart, which is a 9 mile round trip hike. Note: this guide contains affiliate links, which means that if you use the links provided and make a purchase, we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Negative Elev. Here is a rundown of the mileage for different portions of the hike, directly from the Forest Service. As you approach Leavenworth from the west on Highway 2, you will turn onto Icicle Creek Road on the edge of town. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 12 h 12 min to complete. There are five total regions: Eightmile/Caroline, Stuart, Colchuck, Core, and Snow. And to watch our experience, check out our vlog below! We have a 22 B+ van. and permits are also a little easier to come by. Where did yall set up your tent and take that photo from the inside looking out??? Youll want to make sure you go to the bathroom 200 feet from a water source and that you dig a hole 6-8 inches deep and 4-6 inches in diameter. But on March 20, we got the disappointing news that we did not get permits. In early September, Mrs. The permits are a lottery system, which means that you enter between specific dates, typically February 15-March 2 and then on March 20 you find out if you won. Starting your hike at the Stuart Lake trailhead as I recommend, you will need to find a ride back to this trailhead from the Snow Lakes trailhead. They can be overly friendly, to the point of dangerous, and often follow visitors in an attempt to lick up salt from human urine (delightful, huh?)! 1. After you finish your hike, its time to celebrate! Understandably, the trail gets busy and snagging an overnight permit is extremely tough. Whitney in CA as a day hike. Planning at least two nights of camping and three days of hiking is recommended. At this time, applicants must choose an exit date and provide payment for the permits. However, there is no easy way to get there. Unfortunately, weve missed out on all our other attempts at the lottery (some locals joke that the lottery is their annual donation). A rainy day at Rune Lake (Perfection Lake) in September. Check out our the enchantments hiking selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. Drop one off at the hikes endpoint, then drive everyone to the starting point. The Enchantments are one of the most enchanting (sorry, we had to!) This is the most ideal route, with a coveted permit for the Core Zone, Day 1: Hike to Colchuck Lake and set up campDay 2: Hike up Aasgard Pass and find a good camping spot in the Core. Mar 18, 2012 at 6:00 pm #1855705. More than a dozen high alpine lakes carved in granite. However, our friends had to park on the side of the road. And any other tips on some good campsites? There are five unique areas amongst the Enchantments zone which covers about 75 square miles. It is a great option if you have been to Colchuck Lake before and hate the idea of Aasgard Pass! Instead of backpacking, wed love to try day hiking it next time edge! 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