As is the case with almost all hikes in the Pacific Northwest, you need to wait for the snow to melt for this hike to be do-able. However, you obviously cant rely on or plan around hitch-hiking and not everyone is comfortable with it. Prior experience will help prepare you for the Enchantments hike and make it more fun! If you get lucky, you have until March 31 to accept your permit, otherwise those do become available to the public. Camping here is best on two-night backpacking trips. The Enchantments is a classic Washington hike. There was a catch though: we got Snow Lake permits, not Core permits (If all of this sounds like a foreign language, dont worry, we will explain it all down below!) 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. The challenging trail is brimming with dramatic stunning scenery, as glacial activity has left the mountains here jagged and steep, and deposited several picturesque alpine lakes. 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. Looking up from Leprechaun Lake: My dad: Anytime! The most challenging section of the trail is between Colchuck Lake and the Core Enchantment Zone. Hi Kym! Mile 8: Just below Inspiration Lake is another group of campsites. This can be a good place to plan for a night of rest if downhill hiking presents difficulty. 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. You'll need that chill hike day, because you will have just come over Aasgard Pass at 7,800 feet. If youre hiking the Enchantments by yourself or dont have two vehicles, there are other options. The last hiking practice Ill mention here is to be courteous of other peoples trips. While Aasgard Pass terrifies us, we want to experience it once in our lifetime and wed rather do it without the heavy packs. Matthew H. BPL Member. For a challenging side adventure, there is a trail that branches off near Perfection Lake and heads up Prusik Pass. Mile 11: The shores of the Snow Lakes are the last large group of campsites. How late can you hike the Enchantments? I know prime time for the Enchantments is late September, when the larches are out and the lakes are all melted, but there's something sort of magic about the place under snow, too. 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! The way I prepared for the Enchantments was to hike twice a week for about two months. Hi yall! Mileage: 20ish, 4600 Elevation gain/ 6000 elevation loss. Our personal recommendation for the best time to hike the Enchantments is September. living on the road in ourself-converted sprinter van! Some links throughout this site are affiliate links. Looking up from Leprechaun Lake. 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. Some random moments from our two weeks in Mrida! If you are cooking in the alpine, research proper techniques for cleaning pots and pans. These are the hikes I did (if you don't live in Seattle, pick hikes of similar length and elevation gain): . Once you finish hiking, you can use the vehicle at the end to go back and retrieve the other one. I started out building the ability to walk 5-7 miles without flagging, then practiced climbing up steep hills. McClellan Peak, Little Annapurna, Dragontail Peak, and Pusik Pass are all accessible from the Core. The setting is absolutely beautiful, but camping here leaves the bulk of the hike, including Aasgard Pass, for the next day. The Enchantments are one of the most enchanting (sorry, we had to!) This is actually the highest elevation point on the entire trail, so from here, the rest of the hike is mostly downhill. A point-to-point trail, you can start the Enchantments hike from either the Stuart Lake Trailhead or the Snow Lakes Trailhead. External chargerThis is a must for a multi-day backpacking trip! At 20 miles long and with just under 5,000 feet of elevation gain, hiking the Enchantments is a serious undertaking regardless of your fitness level. This is a great campsite if you are planning a short first day of hiking. Obviously, for this, you will need two drivers in your party and two cars! 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. Not sure where to start? 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?)! Wildlife in the area is accustomed to visitors, making it easy to get good pictures of any you spot during your trip. I did the hike September 9th-11th, for reference. Heres a quick rundown of each one! Note: in 2019 they reduced the number of permits due to wildfire damage. As an Airbnb Associate, we may earn a commission when you book through our links, at no extra cost to you. Weve gathered our 21 favorite Washington State hikes here, including hikes of all levels, to get you prepped for tackling the Enchantments hike! Once you ascend the Enchantments Core, youll be able to enjoy the spectacular scenery without constant exertion. . The miles of steep, rocky terrain are relentless and because youre at high elevation, you often have to combat Mother Nature, too. 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. 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!). Located in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness of Washington state, this is a wonderland of alpine lakes, jagged mountains, and waterfalls. 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 . See our topo map of the route. En route, youll spot the craggy peaks of the Enchantments without a thigh-burning climb. ), 6 Great Places to Celebrate Christmas in Washington, 21 World-Class Weekend Getaways in Washington State, Microspikes & gaiters, if hiking when there might be snow. After you get notified that you won the Enchantments lottery, youll want to figure out your route and how many days you want. The Enchantments are an absolutely amazing alpine wonderland located in central Washington state. Very brutal.. October 11, 2021. Camping spots are limited, but when possible, put your tent up away from other tents to give other campers privacy. We couldnt get enough of this section, and highly recommend it as the best for camping! Despite not having the best permit, battling the rain, and having to change our route during our trip, we still had an amazing time exploring this beautiful region of the state of Washington. Cathole TrowelNature may call during your trip and when it does, youll need a cathole trowel! And it's tough getting there. 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. When you are being approached by faster hikers from behind, it is also courtesy to let them pass. When: Do it between late July and early September. The below table is the monthly average temperatures for Leavenworth. In early September, Mrs. Always maintain a very safe distance from wildlife, and take care of your business well away from the trail and campsites! 14 days ago. 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. We highly recommend driving into Leavenworth after your hike and grabbing a bratwurst or sausage from Munchen Haus! 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! Arrive by 7:30 AM to enter the walk-up lottery. Your email address will not be published. Black bear sightings are very uncommon here, but do occasionally happen. Bonus: during the tail end of the month and into October, the foliage turns to a beautiful vibrant yellow-orange! Snow Lake was beautiful and more scenic than we thought it would be, so while its not the most ideal permit to get, it still makes for a very fun trip! To reach the Snow Lakes trailhead to drop a car for your return trip, you will need to head into Leavenworth. The sights are spectacular, with views of surrounding peaks and Colchuck Lake dwarfed into a gleaming blue jewel far below. During warm dry summer days in July and August, you will also need to be prepared for hot afternoons. If you have more time, you wont get bored spending more time in this beautiful area! While most of the trail isn't very technically challenging, it's brutal in that it's very long and steep. In the winter, the Enchantments is buried in deep snowpack and is inaccessible to anyone without serious mountaineering experience. A rainy day at Rune Lake (Perfection Lake) in September. Rating. Spread out over a few days, its incredibly rewarding, with once-in-a-lifetime views and experience to match your efforts. Required fields are marked *. In the summer, these will look like any other green coniferous tree unless you look for the distinctive bundles of needles coming off the branches. Don't shower for 3 weeks leading up your hike as a human repellent. However, obtaining wilderness permits has become increasingly competitive in recent years, which throws in another logistical obstacle. Its not scary, but you will need to go slow. Website built with love byDreamworthy Design. As you proceed down the trail, the next and final lake of the Enchantments is Lake Viviane. My dad. When to Hike The Enchantments. This is the most recent attempt to mitigate the parking shortage at the trailheads. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Permits: Sounds like you know what you're doing - it will be an adventure. In this video, we provide a complete day hiking guide so you can complete the. Its a bit of a pain to carry, but worth it to avoid any mishaps with wildlife. Negative Elev. To preserve the experience of other hikers and the wilderness character of the trail, it is important to follow common hiking etiquettes. We will only ever recommend products we truly love, actually use during our adventures, and think you can benefit from too! Planning at least two nights of camping and three days of hiking is recommended. Those on the shorter end trail run a portion of the trail. Additionally, this is where you'll get to do some off-trail excursions. We were so thankful we brought layers as we froze during the hike. 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. 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. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 12 h 12 min to complete. Youll share the first part of the trail into the Enchantments with many fellow hikers since its one of the best (and closest!) Perfection Lake is another clear, shallow alpine lake, perhaps more beautiful than the previous ones (hence its name, perhaps!). The Whole Core Enchantment Loop Stuart Lake Trailhead to Snow Lake Trailhead:Approximately 19 miles6,000 ft gain and 7,800 ft loss, Snow Lake: Snow Creek Trailhead to the Upper Snow Lake Dam6.5 miles (one way + another 1.5 miles to the far end of the lake)3,800 ft elevation gain. We camped probably 1 mile from where you start the hike to the Core from the Snow Lakes area. *If you choose to us your phone for navigation, be sure to bring a reliable battery pack to charge your phone. We have a 22 B+ van. Elev. This is what we planned to do, but Mother Nature had other ideas. If you do not get a permit through the lottery, there is still hope! The Enchantments live up to the hype and dazzle hikers willing to overcome the elevation gain needed to visit this high alpine paradise. Colchuck: One of the most popular day hikes in Washington is Colchuck Lake. The trail through the Enchantments is also very rocky and uneven, further increasing the difficulty of the hike. You can also choose an alternate leader. Mile 7: The next campsites are located just below the Upper Enchantment Lakes just before the trail descends down the ridge. Alltrails says that from Stuart/Colchuck trailhead to the Snow Lake trailhead it is 23.6 miles, but we confirmed with a ranger during our hike that it is 19. Mile 9: The next major group of campsites are located between Leprechaun Lake and Lake Viviane. As you head down from Isolation and Tranquil Lakes, the terrain changes from the smooth granite rocks to alpine meadows. Regardless of the weather you will need to be prepared for fluctuating temperatures and potential storms. To avoid these food thieves when camping or hiking through, youll want to keep your food in an animal-proof container. The peaks look like a child drew them; all fairy tale jags and triangles." 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. This 24 mile, 6,200 elevation gain permit only hike leads to the tallest mountain in the contiguous US. The most popular day hike in the Enchantments leads to a breathtaking blue glacial lake right underneath Aasgard Pass. Its not at all uncommon for other hikers to help with shuttling! To apply, you will need to choose an entry date, group size, permit zone, assign an alternate group leader, and pay the application fee. 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. All Rights Reserved. I read a review that said it was really steep. and permits are also a little easier to come by. Day 4: Hike out through Colchuck. If you have two nights, spend some extra time exploring the side trails and lakes in this area. ), most of the high alpine terrain is still covered in snow and the lakes are frozen. Insider tip: Since these campsites are outside the Core Enchantment zone, theyre easier to obtain and open to groups, rather than just individuals. ), only experienced and fit hikers who are very confident in their abilities should attempt it. This will give you time to cool off and avoid hiking in the heat of the day. If you click through a link on Small Town Washington, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. 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. Once applications are drawn, there is a few-week period where successful applicants must accept their permit. Backpacking the Enchantments is a very strenuous trip that (with the proper training!) Warning: this will be a long and exhausting day! Overview. 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. This is where we parked our van because we thought we would exit the trail this way. However, the Forest Service warns that hiking or camping on snow is highly likely during May, June, late September and October, so keep that in mind when planning your trip. I've been trying to prep by putting some weights in my backpack and hiking up and down the hills by my house. Something we wish we had brought were waterproof pants. It is one of our favorite Washington memories and we cannot wait to experience it again someday! 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. Since the Enchantments trail is at a higher elevation, the temperature will generally be cooler than in town. Here are some of these hiking courtesies that help improve everyones trip. 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. Through-hiking the Enchantments in one day will challenge and reward you, but it's not for everyone. Nestled in the Cascade Mountains, the Enchantments is full of alpine lakes, rocky peaks, larches, mountain goats, and incredible views. With over 2,000 feet of elevation gain in less than a single mile in distance, the climb challenges both stamina and determination. The Snow Lake trailhead is near a large parking lot next to the creek. To enter the permit lottery, you will first need to apply during the annual permit lottery (exact dates vary by year). Widely regarded as the crown jewel of hiking in Washington, this trail exceeds even the wildest of superlatives. So I'm also going to try to do the Enchantments this year. The trail steadily climbs through dense forest, with increasingly picturesque views of the valley below. A hike through the Enchantments is a very strenuous hike. You can apply for permits during the second half of February through Recreation.gov, and winners are drawn, lottery-style, in early March. Backpacking The Enchantments The Enchantments is a region in Washington state with a group of pristine alpine lakes that can only be accessed by foot. Once here, depending on your schedule, you may want to camp overnight. It is important that you choose a designated campsite to help preserve the fragile alpine vegetation in the lake basin. Are being approached by faster hikers from behind, it takes an average 12! In recent years, which throws in another logistical obstacle Snow Lakes are frozen mile 7: the day! Forest, with increasingly picturesque views of the hike September 9th-11th, for the Enchantments by yourself or have. 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