All rights reserved. Permits are required for day and overnight use in this area. The Enchantments as a whole is gorgeous, but there are a few spots that you should especially check out and spend some time at. Were glad this helps! To preserve the experience of other hikers and the wilderness character of the trail, it is important to follow common hiking etiquettes. See some of our recommended stops below! The permit season for the Enchantments is between May 15 and October 31. Mile 9: The next major group of campsites are located between Leprechaun Lake and Lake Viviane. Looking up from Leprechaun Lake. Note: in 2019 they reduced the number of permits due to wildfire damage. I did the hike September 9th-11th, for reference. At risk of sounding entirely cliche, this place is absolutely enchanting. Here are some of these hiking courtesies that help improve everyones trip. But the wait, stress, and uncertainty of getting to access this area is worth it!Note: Dogs are not allowed in the Enchantments. Maybe you'll get lucky and have good weather. Each campsite listed has a wilderness toilet for your use and to preserve the natural beauty of the area. We would love to do this hike again in the future, however, we think we would do it a bit differently. : 1312 ft. the enchantments hiking washington day hike 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. To apply, you will need to choose an entry date, group size, permit zone, assign an alternate group leader, and pay the application fee. It would be reasonable to plan up to 12 hours plus drive time if you want to take. $18.95 Alpine Lakes East Stuart Range, WA No. Unfortunately, weve missed out on all our other attempts at the lottery (some locals joke that the lottery is their annual donation). However, obtaining wilderness permits has become increasingly competitive in recent years, which throws in another logistical obstacle. Depending on snow conditions, you may also want to bring gaiters to protect your boots from getting filled with snow. Second, waste management in the Enchantments is difficult since the area receives a high amount of use. The next set of campsites is along the lakeshores of the five lakes situated in what is known as the Enchantments Core: Isolation Lake, Inspiration Lake, Perfection Lake, Leprechaun Lake and Lake Vivianne. Check out our the enchantments hiking selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. Here, just east of Leavenworth in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness and reachable only on foot, are the Enchantments. : 7835 ft. Min. Early Summer While hiking in June still requires a permit, you run the risk of the trail being heavily covered in snow. The abundance of granite-carved lakes in the Enchantments makes the area a wonderful spot to explore at a leisurely pace. Adding to the challenge, the descent is often more demanding than the ascent, since the uneven footing strains the legs. Wildlife in the area is accustomed to visitors, making it easy to get good pictures of any you spot during your trip. The main reason to day-hike the Enchantments is that doing so means you dont need a hard-to-get camping permit. 19K views 1 year ago THE ENCHANTMENTS The Enchantments Hike is the most beautiful hike in all of Washington. You may be able to find a ride back to the Stuart Lake trailhead from someone else completing their hike, but for overnight trips, most people leave a car at both trailheads. 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! The mountain goats in particular are habituated to visitors. Up is easier than down, especially at the beginning of a long hike! The peaks look like a child drew them; all fairy tale jags and triangles." End: Snow Lakes Trailhead. The 18-mile trail through the Enchantment Lakes, up to the high alpine at almost 8,000 feet above sea level, is perhaps the state's most infamous and beloved route. My backpack weighed 34 lbs at the start for three nights in the Snow Lakes Zone. In the winter, the Enchantments is buried in deep snowpack and is inaccessible to anyone without serious mountaineering experience. 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. 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. To reach the Snow Lakes trailhead to drop a car for your return trip, you will need to head into Leavenworth. The trail is steep and rocky, resembling your climb up Aasgard Pass. 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. Through-hiking the Enchantments in one day will challenge and reward you, but it's not for everyone. Weve done multi-day hikes in the area (after obtaining the illustrious Enchantments Wilderness Permit), and weve also thru-hiked this 19-mile trail in one day. Will travel for tacos, BBQ, & ice cream Since the Enchantments hike is a point to point trail, its necessary to consider transportation logistics. The Stuart/Colchuck Lake trailhead is down a VERY rough forested road. Here is a sample packing list for your trip, More Hiking: 21 Bucket List Hikes in Washington State, More North Cascades: 15 Best Hikes in North Cascades National Park, Waterfall Hikes: 11 Best Waterfalls in Washington State + Hikes to Find Them, Hiking Near Seattle: 11 Best Day Hikes Near Seattle. The elevation gain and loss are large, meaning that you will be working hard at most points during your hike. Please see our. Obtaining the permit to backpack the Enchantments is a much more difficult process, so we opted instead to camp out at Lake Wenatchee for the weekend and day-hike . During warm dry summer days in July and August, you will also need to be prepared for hot afternoons. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Plan your hike for mid-July to mid-September, and check both trip reports and weather forecasts before getting started. The Enchantments are not named as such for naught - they have some of the most spectacular alpine scenery in the country. Both trailheads get really busy, so arrive early! The Traverse runs through the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, and as you might guessit passes by a stunning array of glacial-fed lakes. When: Do it between late July and early September. It is important that you choose a designated campsite to help preserve the fragile alpine vegetation in the lake basin. However, weve seen young children complete it, so it could make a great family excursion! Enter: Christie, our Enchantments savior. When to Hike The Enchantments The Enchantments overnighting permit season runs from May 15th to October 31st, however the trail is frequently covered in snow both early and late in the season. Dont be fooled that you are reaching the end here, even though you are leaving the lake basin! Core: The most popular (and coveted) area is the Core zone, which is where the majority of the lakes reside. 208SX by Green Trails Maps . The Enchantments is a region in Washington, just 15 miles southwest of Leavenworth, a super cute Bavarian village town. Mile 11: The shores of the Snow Lakes are the last large group of campsites. Not in June. We had to use our hands for balance as we slooowly clambered up what seemed like a near-vertical route. Hiking up Aasgard Pass means that the remaining 13 miles of trail are generally downhill. Additionally, this is where you'll get to do some off-trail excursions. 14 days ago. 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!). We only recommend products we truly love, actually use during our adventures, and think you can benefit from too! There are five total regions: Eightmile/Caroline, Stuart, Colchuck, Core, and Snow. We got there late afternoon on a Saturday and snagged that spot, which fit 6 of us with plenty of other space and was an easy walk down to the lake to get water. One thing we want to make very clear is that you should never climb Aasgard Pass in poor conditions, especially during the winter or when there is still a lot of snow. Some links throughout this site are affiliate links. What awaits visitors: -Nearby Bavarian-styled village -High alpine lakes carved in granite -Curious mountain goats and their kids -Dramatic peaks -Golden larches come fall This website contains affiliate links from websites such as Amazon.com, Booking.com, and Rentalcars.com. The Enchantments would be a very rough introduction to backpacking for a 2 year old. The trail through the Enchantments is also very rocky and uneven, further increasing the difficulty of the hike. I'm a decent hiker but some of the bouldering is more . YouTube, Travel Guides, Gear, & FAQs. Near the Bavarian town of Leavenworth (but hidden from sight), The Enchantments loom. Hiking in North Cascades National Park in Washington. Bonus: during the tail end of the month and into October, the foliage turns to a beautiful vibrant yellow-orange! Youll pass through dense forests, blankets of wildflowers, and high-elevation mountain passes to reach an otherworldly tree-less environment filled only with ancient rocks molded by wind and water. However, there is no easy way to get there. This was our base camp from where we would climb the steep Crystal Creek valley and . PS: the trailheads all have bathrooms! 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. The sights are spectacular, with views of surrounding peaks and Colchuck Lake dwarfed into a gleaming blue jewel far below. Ever since moving to Washington and learning about this beautiful region, we had our sights set on backpacking there. When you are being approached by faster hikers from behind, it is also courtesy to let them pass. As the trail winds through the lakes surrounded by lichen-covered rocks beneath the rugged mountain peaks, you will find more campsites. Can you drive to the enchantments? But one of the places that would undoubtedly make the list is The Enchantments Wilderness Area. 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. Explore the most popular trails in my list Enchantments Hiking with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. Rating. Regardless of the time of year of your hike, this is a mountainous alpine hike, and it is important to pack a range of layers for clothing, including enough warm layers in case the weather turns bad. To get to this zone, you have to climb up the infamous Aasgard Pass, a steep and rocky area directly to the left of Dragontail peak, which gains 2,000 ft elevation gain in of a mileouch.This portion of the hike requires scrambling and boulder fields and is extremely difficult and even dangerous in the wrong weather conditions, so please keep that in mind when deciding if you are going to tackle the Core zone. There are five unique areas amongst the Enchantments zone which covers about 75 square miles. Its not at all uncommon for other hikers to help with shuttling! Your email address will not be published. Day-to-day, the weather can be unpredictable. by Craig Romano . The summer temperatures drop (it occasionally reaches a scorching 100 degrees in July and August!) $21.95 Day Hiking Central Cascades by Craig Romano . Winning is completely up to luck, which is the hard part of the lottery system. Since the Enchantments trail is at a higher elevation, the temperature will generally be cooler than in town. Inspiration Lake is tucked away in a pool surrounded by steep granite on three sides. It is one of our favorite Washington memories and we cannot wait to experience it again someday! Local groups often provide introductory courses on backpacking and camping, which would be good practice before embarking on an Enchantments trip. The most challenging section of the trail is between Colchuck Lake and the Core Enchantment Zone. Its also nice to see how far you have to your next stop . The median time is 10 to 12 hours. hiking the Enchantments, WA. Mile 13.5: If you prefer to travel a litter further on your final day, a few campsites are located near Nada Lake. The total hiking time ranges from 8 hours for ultra-fast trail runners to about 15 for reasonably fit hikers going at a steady pace. We are big fans of Wild Zora backpacking meals, especially the beef ones, as they are super natural and healthy. In fact, people have died doing so from falling into crevasses or waterfall holes. Almost immediately beyond the lake, the trail becomes littered with large boulders and scree, making a bit of route-finding a sudden necessity. No matter what route you take, how many days you have, or if you get a sunny day or a cloudy day, the Enchantments truly are a magical place and 100% worth the permit headaches to visit in whatever capacity you can. There are two trailheads for the Enchantments: Stuart/Colchuck Lake and Snow Lake. 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. September 8, 2016. I'd say starting at the Snow Lakes trailhead, hiking down and out Aasgard Pass to the Colchuck trailhead, is easier than the other way around. To do the car shuttle, you will need to first drop a car off at the Snow Lakes trailhead, then gather at the Stuart Lakes Trailhead to begin your hike. Thanks! will reward you with views of a lifetime. One of the most scenic hikes in the region, this hike passes several waterfalls and glacial lakes before climbing to Snow Lake. My dad. Mile 7: The next campsites are located just below the Upper Enchantment Lakes just before the trail descends down the ridge. . The Enchantments is a region in Washington, just 15 miles southwest of Leavenworth, a super cute Bavarian village town. To mitigate the heat, it is suggested that you start hiking early in the day and aim to arrive at your evening campsite before midday. In this video, we provide a complete day hiking guide so you can complete the. 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 Snow Lake. $18.00 Tags: Day Hiking Share this Page: ! Another good spot to check out is Yodelin. The trailheads for both are located off Icicle Creek Road. THE ENCHANTMENTS TRAIL BREAKDOWN. In addition to physical preparation, an understanding of wilderness travel and first aid will greatly improve your trip if anything goes wrong. In October, unpredictable snowstorms start to roll into the higher elevations, making the trail dangerous. 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. The next mile is by far the toughest of the entire trail. Try this 20.5-mile point-to-point trail near Leavenworth, Washington. The infamous Aasgard Pass is the toughest part of the trail, with a heart-pumping, lung-straining 2,000-foot climb in just of a mile. You may also be able to snag a spot later in the evening when day hikers are leaving. 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