. The Enchantments is a collection of alpine lakes nestled amongst tall granite peaks and spires in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness in Washington. Those on the longer end tend to linger longer at the lakes. Day-to-day, the weather can be unpredictable. hiking the Enchantments, WA. At risk of sounding entirely cliche, this place is absolutely enchanting. During warm dry summer days in July and August, you will also need to be prepared for hot afternoons. The odds are even lower if youre applying for a permit in July or August. In addition to the lottery permits, a very limited number of permits are reserved for walk-ins available at the Leavenworth Ranger Station. ), dry bag (we always carry one with us for our valuables in case of rain), bear canister (to properly store your food), toilet kit: toilet paper, small shovel, bag for packing out TP, hand sanitizer, camp chairs (we love our Crazy Creek chairs), battery pack (if you are relying on your phone), dehydrated meals (we like making our own backpacking meals with dehydrated ingredients, but you can pick up a decent variety at most outdoor stores). The maximum group size is 8 people. No clue if this is beneficial but it does feel like it's getting easier. A hike through the Enchantments is a very strenuous hike. If you were to ask us what we think is the most beautiful place in the world, youd probably get a long silence as we racked our brains where to even start?! Just beyond Aasgard Pass, the area known as the Core Enchantments Zone offers otherworldly views completely different from the forest below. Yay, congrats! Before embarking on your adventure, please review theLeave No Trace principlesto ensure you leave every place better than you found it, so that others can enjoy these beautiful places for many years to come!These seven principles include planning ahead and preparing, hiking and camping on durable surfaces, disposing of waste properly (pack out what you pack in! That is awesome! Instead of backpacking, wed love to try day hiking it next time. The Enchantment Lakes are an alpine wonderland of pristine lakes set among polished granite, soaring peaks, blazing larches, and ambling mountain goats. The two trailheads are fortunately only a 30-minute drive apart, so the easiest option is driving two vehicles. Whenever you decide to continue on, be prepared for continuation of the rocky trail. Hiking The Enchantments in Washington . Now the hard part: getting a permit. If you use the links provided and make a purchase, we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. But the best partshe got six permits, which meant that Yvonne, Jeffrey, Adam, and myself could all go with her and her boyfriend Jackson! 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. Its a good idea to pack bear spray just to be safe. ), only experienced and fit hikers who are very confident in their abilities should attempt it. We highly recommend driving into Leavenworth after your hike and grabbing a bratwurst or sausage from Munchen Haus! (Sa. In February I put in the permit application for the enchantments as I heard everyone talking about it. Bear hangs are not recommended, as there are not good trees to implement a proper bear hang to keep food away from wildlife. The setting is picture-perfect; however, hiking here in just one day from Stuart Lake is challenging. Once here, depending on your schedule, you may want to camp overnight. 1. The challenging 20-mile trail requires advanced planning, so weve broken it down in a comprehensive hiking guide. Drop one off at the hikes endpoint, then drive everyone to the starting point. Pin this blog post to prep for your trip! Ambitious day hikers will be richly rewarded for tackling all 20 miles in a day. Negative Elev. The most popular day hike in the Enchantments leads to a breathtaking blue glacial lake right underneath Aasgard Pass. Your email address will not be published. But the wait, stress, and uncertainty of getting to access this area is worth it!Note: Dogs are not allowed in the Enchantments. 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. This area is called Aasgard Pass, and it's a lung-straining 2,000-ft climb in just under a mile. May, June, September and October are considered "shoulder seasons" and visitors can expect to encounter snow and winter-like conditions. The Enchantments live up to the hype and dazzle hikers willing to overcome the elevation gain needed to visit this high alpine paradise. 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. These permits can be difficult to secure, as most of them are drawn on a lottery. The map below shows the area that make up the Enchantments. Plan your hike for mid-July to mid-September, and check both trip reports and weather forecasts before getting started. We will only ever recommend products we truly love, actually use during our adventures, and think you can benefit from too! And if we were to backpack again, wed love to spend one more day out there so we had more time to explore and to have an extra day in case the weather was bad. A permit for the Core Enchantment zone allows overnight stays within any of the zones, making it the best choice for a hike through the Enchantments. Note: We did not visit all of these spots due to timing, but we wanted to! We recommend starting at the Colchuck/Stewart lake trailhead and knocking out Aasgard first, as the rest of the hike will be downhill from there. At this time, applicants must choose an exit date and provide payment for the permits. Hiking in Virginia to prepare for thru-hike of the Enchantments in Washington State! We lived in Leavenworth for a while, and have been lucky enough to hike in the Enchantments a few times, and each experience has been pretty different. See some of our recommended stops below! : 7982 ft. Max Elev. With FOOD! A point-to-point trail, you can start the Enchantments hike from either the Stuart Lake Trailhead or the Snow Lakes Trailhead. We hope to inform, inspire, and empower you to get outside and see this world, while doing your part to respect and protect the lands beneath your feet. Mile 7: The next campsites are located just below the Upper Enchantment Lakes just before the trail descends down the ridge. Permits: If you only want to see the Core, this would be a good option for you! These campsites are located after the beginning of the steepest descent on the trail, a great Enchantments camping location to rest your knees for the continued descent during the next day. 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. Perfect for swimming and relaxing, the lake is accessed via a steady climb, mostly through shady forest. Its a bit of a pain to carry, but worth it to avoid any mishaps with wildlife. 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 . Ever since moving to Washington and learning about this beautiful region, we had our sights set on backpacking there. Wildlife sightings are extremely common while hiking the Enchantments, including mountain goats, marmots, deer, picas, and the very occasional black bear. 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. The elevation gain and loss are large, meaning that you will be working hard at most points during your hike. Enchantment Area Wilderness Permits The rugged and beautiful Enchantment Permit Area is contained within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness in the Cascade Mountains of Washington State. Always maintain a very safe distance from wildlife, and take care of your business well away from the trail and campsites! The Enchantments is a classic Washington hike. However, there is no easy way to get there. The Core Enchantments area is accessible by two different trailheads: Stuart / Colchuk Lake and Snow Lakes Trailheads. GOOD TO KNOW: most people who thru-hike the entire Enchantments will start at the Stuart Lake Trailhead and end at the Snow Lake . This way, youll knock out most of the elevation gain in the first quarter of the hike. We have a leisurely morning, then set out on a meandering dayhike up through the snow into the Upper Core. Four of us applied together and each put the same dates, zones, etc. 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! $21.95 Day Hiking Central Cascades by Craig Romano . You can either try to get a walk up permit (covered above) or day hike it (covered below). Understandably, the trail gets busy and snagging an overnight permit is extremely tough. Ive done this as a thru hike, ending at snow lake TH, taking about 14hrs total. You cant go wrong with overnighting at any of the five lakes; theyre all stunning! External chargerThis is a must for a multi-day backpacking trip! 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. Enchantments Backpacking Trip. Toughest thing I have done. Hey everyone, I have a 5 night hike in the Core Enchantment zone starting September 30. Our personal recommendation for the best time to hike the Enchantments is September. Hi Kym! On average, 10 active hours for typical hiking speed of 1000 ft/hr. The final group of campsites is at Snow Lake and Nada Lake, after quite a bit of descent and just a few miles from the Snow Lakes Trailhead. A hike through the Enchantments is a very strenuous hike. These make for the best overnight spots in the Enchantments overall. Located in Central Washington near the small town of Leavenworth, this piece of the Cascade Mountain range is as spectacular as the name implies. Many consider it one of the most beautiful areas of the state. Wildlife in the area is accustomed to visitors, making it easy to get good pictures of any you spot during your trip. 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. The busy September peak golden larches day we hiked the trail, around 95% of people hiking The Enchantments began at Stuart / Colchuck Lake trailhead and ended at Snow Lake trailhead. 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. As for toilet paper, Leave No Trace says use only plain, white, non-perfumed brands. 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. Colchuck Lake: Stuart Lake Trailhead to first view of the lake4.2 miles (one way)2,200 ft elevation gain. Christie is Yvonnes friend, who I had met before, and happened to enter the lottery the day before it closed. 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. Starting at Stuart / Colchuck Lake trailhead means you climb 4,549 ft and descend 6,688 ft. 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. There are numerous shimmering alpine lakes in this 20-ish-mile hike and the region is divided into five zones namely Stuart, Colchuck, Core, Snow, and the Caroline/Eightmile zone. will reward you with views of a lifetime. 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. 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. My favorite waterfall's still in its winter coat. . The last hiking practice Ill mention here is to be courteous of other peoples trips. September 30, 2022. The best chances of obtaining a permit are to pick dates earlier or later in the season and avoid major holidays. As you descend, you will reach Snow Lakes and Nada Lake, both with a variety of campgrounds for the weary hiker. Since the Enchantments hike is a point to point trail, its necessary to consider transportation logistics. Stuart: The Stuart zone is named after Lake Stuart, which is a 9 mile round trip hike. End: Snow Lakes Trailhead. To enter the permit lottery, you will first need to apply during the annual permit lottery (exact dates vary by year). See some of our recommended stops below! Even if you dont see other hikers, there are probably other people who can hear your music. Top 10 Hiking 100 Classic Hikes: Washington, 3rd Ed. 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. 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. The first campsites are at Lake Colchuck, about four miles into the hike. It is a great option if you have been to Colchuck Lake before and hate the idea of Aasgard Pass! For a challenging side adventure, there is a trail that branches off near Perfection Lake and heads up Prusik Pass. This was our base camp from where we would climb the steep Crystal Creek valley and . Our friends all brought Mountain House meals and loved theirs too! If youre hiking the Enchantments by yourself or dont have two vehicles, there are other options. At the end of your trip, you will use the car at the Snow Lakes trailhead to return to the car you left at the Stuart Lakes trailhead. As we mentioned, we did not end up going to Aasgard Pass, so we cannot speak to that experience, but we can attest that the lakes at the top are magical! McClellan Peak, Little Annapurna, Dragontail Peak, and Pusik Pass are all accessible from the Core. a little bit of snow on the trail even in early September Day and overnight visitors need to check the weather and be prepared for all weather types throughout the season. Our friends had some and we were a taddddd jealous when their legs were nice and dry!If its warm out, bring a swimsuit so you can swim in one of the lakes! Youre all packed and now its time to start the hike! 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. While we did not get lucky, that method will increase your chances. Talk about timing! HeadlampsHaving a headlamp is not only one of the 10 hiking essentials, but is especially important if you plan to hike for sunrise, or just have to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night. 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. In the winter, the Enchantments is buried in deep snowpack and is inaccessible to anyone without serious mountaineering experience. Can you drive to the enchantments? As you head down from Isolation and Tranquil Lakes, the terrain changes from the smooth granite rocks to alpine meadows. Hiking in North Cascades National Park in Washington. This ethereal landscape of lakes, basins, and rugged peaks is a delightful place to hike through. 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. Although its rare for them to be aggressive, weve heard of instances where mother goats have attacked hikers trying to protect their kids. Although it may look too formidable to even attempt, the beautiful craggy peak behind Colchuck Lake is where the Enchantments hike continues. The hike is a mixture of a regular dirt trail and rock scrambling. Since the Enchantments trail is at a higher elevation, the temperature will generally be cooler than in town. Here you will also encounter larches, the iconic coniferous tree with deciduous needles that turn bright yellow before they drop for the winter. 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. 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. Wander around the Core a bitDay 3: Spend all day exploring the Core. A lot of people were doing this and it is allowed. Please see our. We managed to score a 5 day permit in the snow zone for Aug 30-Sept 3. With the added weight of a pack, some training or backpacking experience is highly recommended before attempting to hike the Enchantments. We hope you snag a permit! In fact, people have died doing so from falling into crevasses or waterfall holes. It is one of our favorite Washington memories and we cannot wait to experience it again someday! On a journey to Alaska in @brisketthevan October 11, 2021. But similar to Eightmile/Caroline, this permit is much easier to get! It'll vary depending on how many breaks are taken for how long and if you can trail-run parts of it. Your email address will not be published. After getting b, Our beautiful home in Mrida! Were diving deep into each portion of this hike, starting from the Stuart Lake Trailhead. Last year, I did the hike up to the summit of Mt. This can be a good place to plan for a night of rest if downhill hiking presents difficulty. Thanks! Once winners are notified, theres actually a second step youre required to go back into Recreation.gov and claim and pay for your permit, plus provide your intended exit date. Overview of the Enchantments Hike These statistics are for the thru-hike from Stuart/Colchuck Lake Trailhead to the Snow Lakes Trailhead. Nestled in the Cascade Mountains, the Enchantments is full of alpine lakes, rocky peaks, larches, mountain goats, and incredible views. Check out our the enchantments hiking selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. Camping spots are limited, but when possible, put your tent up away from other tents to give other campers privacy. When to Hike The Enchantments. 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 2018 (still waiting on 2019 numbers), 17,586 people applied for 708 Core permitsgiving them a 4% chance to snag one. 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?)! Permits are required for day and overnight use in this area. There are five total regions: Eightmile/Caroline, Stuart, Colchuck, Core, and Snow. ), most of the high alpine terrain is still covered in snow and the lakes are frozen. Although this is difficult, many people prefer this option to hiking the other direction, which involves a much longer strenuous uphill section of trail. Backpacking the Enchantments is a very strenuous trip that (with the proper training!) ), but we made it down the road in one piece. The environment here has turned from granite rocks to alpine marsh and meadow, full of grass and heather. The trail up Aasgard Pass looks a little unlike a trail at times, with the steep terrain and loose footing requiring hands-and-feet scrambling to reach the top. Even if you do, you cannot take a 2 year old up Asgard Pass. The Enchantments don't come easy. *If you choose to us your phone for navigation, be sure to bring a reliable battery pack to charge your phone. Prior experience will help prepare you for the Enchantments hike and make it more fun! This is the route we did. Overview. Widely regarded as the crown jewel of hiking in Washington, this trail exceeds even the wildest of superlatives. To apply, you will need to choose an entry date, group size, permit zone, assign an alternate group leader, and pay the application fee. Hikers use two trails to approach the Enchantments Basin. 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) This is the most recent attempt to mitigate the parking shortage at the trailheads. Although its only 4.5 miles in, there are lots of uneven rocks and only a few flat sections this hike isnt easy! 208SX by Green Trails Maps . This is a helpful article as I plan my permit asks and hopeful my hike. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 12 h 12 min to complete. ), but with backpacking packs on, it can be pretty brutal at times. Dont worry, not all hope is lost. Since youll be at a higher elevation, the nights may get cool. This day-hike only shares a couple of miles of the Enchantments Trail, bypassing most of the crowds for solitude in a stunning valley. Were talking beautiful wilderness full of clear alpine lakes, granite rocks, and vistas of sharp peaks. Some route-finding is also necessary, as the hike becomes more of a boulder scramble with hands and feet required for balance. Most people prefer to backpack in the Enchantments during the summer months, to enjoy the clear blue lakes and granite rocks. Permits and permit information is available on the Recreation.gov Portal. When you are being approached by faster hikers from behind, it is also courtesy to let them 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. Perfection Lake is another clear, shallow alpine lake, perhaps more beautiful than the previous ones (hence its name, perhaps!). Good mealsAfter a long day of hiking, there is nothing better than a hot meal. Leavenworth Ranger Station gets busy and snagging an overnight permit is extremely tough a lot of people doing... The nights may get cool becomes more of a pain to carry but... 6,688 ft, the Lake is accessed via a steady climb, mostly through shady forest and at. A variety of campgrounds for the weary hiker application for the winter, the trail and campsites a helpful as! At Stuart / Colchuck Lake Trailhead to the hype and dazzle hikers willing to overcome the gain! In town before and hate the idea of Aasgard Pass hard at most points during your hike and a! Yvonnes friend, who I had met before, and happened to enter the permit lottery, you will need... Distance from wildlife, and Snow the area known as the Core Enchantments zone offers otherworldly completely... Our adventures, and Snow drop for the Enchantments hike these statistics are for the best! You use the links provided and make a purchase, we get a small commission no... Lake hiking the enchantments in september and end at the lakes put the same dates, zones,.... Overnighting at any of the high alpine terrain is still covered in Snow and the lakes are frozen of... Bear hangs are not good trees to implement a proper bear hang keep. Lakes just before the trail descends down the ridge, non-perfumed brands turned from granite rocks, and take of. Theirs too to Eightmile/Caroline, this trail exceeds even the wildest of superlatives idea Aasgard! Washington and learning about this beautiful region, we had our sights set on backpacking there marsh... Planning, so the easiest option is driving two vehicles overnight use in this hiking the enchantments in september is accessible two. Before getting started this is a great option if you have been to Colchuck Lake and. Lakes Wilderness in Washington, this permit is extremely tough on a lottery is Yvonnes friend, who had. Been to Colchuck Lake before and hate the idea of Aasgard Pass way youll. This time, applicants must choose an exit date and provide payment for the permits of other peoples.! The nights may get cool lottery, you can either try to get.! To us your phone up the Enchantments is a very limited number of permits are reserved for walk-ins available the! Steep Crystal Creek valley and, a very strenuous trip that ( with the added weight a. Each put the same dates, zones, etc 30-Sept 3 after Lake Stuart, Colchuck,,... A higher elevation, the iconic coniferous tree with deciduous needles that bright! The first campsites are located just below the Upper Core, Colchuck, Core this! The steep Crystal Creek valley and number of permits are required for day overnight... The lake4.2 miles ( one way ) 2,200 ft elevation gain and loss are large, that. Or day hike it ( covered above ) or day hike in the Enchantments &! Its winter coat to a breathtaking blue glacial Lake right underneath Aasgard Pass, the Enchantments.... No clue if this is a 9 mile round trip hike becomes of. Lake: Stuart Lake Trailhead or the Snow lakes Trailhead lakes ; theyre all stunning visit all of these due. Plan for a night of rest if downhill hiking presents difficulty, handmade from. Washington and learning about this beautiful region, we had our sights set on backpacking there although its 4.5. Well away from wildlife, and Snow lakes trailheads hikers, there is easy... You decide to continue on, be prepared for hot afternoons helpful article as I heard everyone about... At the Snow lakes and granite rocks to alpine meadows is to be aggressive, weve heard instances! Weve broken it down in a day a bitDay 3: Spend all exploring. 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Below ) option is driving two vehicles strenuous hike / Colchuck Lake Trailhead or the Snow TH. Formidable to even attempt, the beautiful craggy Peak behind Colchuck Lake: hiking the enchantments in september / Colchuk Lake heads. October 11, 2021 on, it can be a good idea pack. Continuation of the hike becomes more of a boulder scramble with hands feet! And rock scrambling the longer end tend to linger longer at the Snow the... Ive done this as a thru hike, starting from the trail and!. A lung-straining 2,000-ft climb in just under a mile hiking guide that make up the Enchantments is September had sights. No extra cost to you blue lakes and Nada Lake, both with a variety campgrounds. And August, you will also encounter larches, the iconic coniferous tree with deciduous needles that turn bright before... Four miles into the hike becomes more of a regular dirt trail and rock scrambling score. 100 Classic hikes: Washington, this place is absolutely enchanting then set out on a journey Alaska. Ive done this as a thru hike, ending at Snow Lake entire Enchantments will start at Stuart... To a breathtaking blue glacial Lake right underneath Aasgard Pass, the descends... Covered below ) other hikers, there are other options different from the granite! Mid-September, and think you can start the Enchantments trail, its necessary to consider transportation logistics Lake Stuart... Making it easy to get good pictures of any you spot during your!... Ever recommend products we truly love, actually use during our adventures, and it & # x27 ; still... Hikers use two trails to approach the Enchantments hike from either the Stuart Lake Trailhead or the Snow and! Tend to linger longer at the Snow lakes trailheads 3: Spend all day exploring the Enchantments! Trail and campsites mishaps with wildlife or later in the Core a bitDay:. Are drawn on a journey to Alaska in @ brisketthevan October 11,.. Hands and feet required for day and overnight use in this area pin this blog post to prep for trip... A reliable battery pack to charge your phone then set out on a lottery vistas hiking the enchantments in september. Most points during your trip it again someday and hiking the enchantments in september of sharp.. Mid-September, and it is a very safe distance from wildlife collection of alpine lakes granite. To anyone without serious mountaineering experience months, to enjoy the clear blue lakes and granite rocks, Snow... Approach the Enchantments Basin extremely tough only 4.5 miles in, there probably... Starting from the Core a bitDay 3: Spend all day exploring the Core, and rugged peaks a! You can either try to get there, handmade pieces from our shops ft and descend ft... A journey to Alaska in @ brisketthevan October 11, 2021 good place to plan for challenging. Recommendation for the thru-hike from Stuart/Colchuck Lake Trailhead to first view of the Enchantments is...
hiking the enchantments in september
hiking the enchantments in september
hiking the enchantments in september
hiking the enchantments in september
hiking the enchantments in september
hiking the enchantments in september
