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. Starting at Stuart / Colchuck Lake trailhead means you climb 4,549 ft and descend 6,688 ft. We camped probably 1 mile from where you start the hike to the Core from the Snow Lakes area. Due to the fragile environment and increasing popularity of hiking the Enchantments, a wilderness permit is necessary to camp overnight from May 15 through October 31. We coordinated with two friends (Yvonne and Jeffrey) on the dates we wanted, zones we wanted to apply for, and other logistics. With the added weight of a pack, some training or backpacking experience is highly recommended before attempting to hike the Enchantments. I'm a decent hiker but some of the bouldering is more . 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. 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. 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. The Snow Lake trailhead is off of Icicle Creek Road and has a decent parking lot. When is the best season to go? In February I put in the permit application for the enchantments as I heard everyone talking about it. The setting is absolutely beautiful, but camping here leaves the bulk of the hike, including Aasgard Pass, for the next day. Pin this blog post to prep for your trip! 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. ), 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). Winning is completely up to luck, which is the hard part of the lottery system. Note to everyone: Aasgard Pass is a misnomer. To apply, you will need to choose an entry date, group size, permit zone, assign an alternate group leader, and pay the application fee. 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. Yay, congrats! Plan your hike for mid-July to mid-September, and check both trip reports and weather forecasts before getting started. The weather can change quickly during your multi-day trip from the original forecast. - Stock Photos provided by our partner Depositphotos, Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, Hi yall! We saw tons of people doing this, but make sure you get a very early start so you can finish before dark and also have time to enjoy it without rushing. This is the last Enchantments campsite location on the way out to the end of the trail. 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. Up is easier than down, especially at the beginning of a long hike! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The summer temperatures drop (it occasionally reaches a scorching 100 degrees in July and August!) 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. Hiking with music can be fun but it is good practice to use headphones so that other hikers dont have to listen to it. Enter: Christie, our Enchantments savior. All Rights Reserved. As an Airbnb Associate, we may earn a commission when you book through our links, at no extra cost to you. Try this 20.5-mile point-to-point trail near Leavenworth, Washington. Located in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness of Washington state, this is a wonderland of alpine lakes, jagged mountains, and waterfalls. 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. Pre- Enchantments: A lot went into this 4 day/3 night backpacking trip. The way I prepared for the Enchantments was to hike twice a week for about two months. This ethereal landscape of lakes, basins, and rugged peaks is a delightful place to hike through. Some links in this post may be affiliate links. 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. Website built with love byDreamworthy Design. When you apply, you select your entry date and location and pay a $10 non-refundable application fee. First, there is an accepted right-of way when hiking on a trail. Weve gathered our 21 favorite Washington State hikes here, including hikes of all levels, to get you prepped for tackling the Enchantments hike! Heres a quick rundown of each one! But dont worry, if you dont get one, a day hike is still super worth it! May, June, September and October are considered "shoulder seasons" and visitors can expect to encounter snow and winter-like conditions. Sign up to get travel updates, guides, vlogs, and other resources delivered straight to your inbox once a month! The most challenging section of the trail is between Colchuck Lake and the Core Enchantment Zone. Overview of the Enchantments Hike These statistics are for the thru-hike from Stuart/Colchuck Lake Trailhead to the Snow Lakes Trailhead. Very brutal.. You can also choose an alternate leader. 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. While Aasgard Pass terrifies us, we want to experience it once in our lifetime and wed rather do it without the heavy packs. A point-to-point trail, you can start the Enchantments hike from either the Stuart Lake Trailhead or the Snow Lakes Trailhead. The trail continues to be rocky and steep and several sections require scrambling using both hands and feet. You can apply for permits during the second half of February through Recreation.gov, and winners are drawn, lottery-style, in early March. Once the trail reaches Leprechaun Lake, you are in the Lower Enchantment area, a section marked by narrow rock ledges and the towering McClellan Peak. I read a review that said it was really steep. After you finish your hike, its time to celebrate! GOOD TO KNOW: most people who thru-hike the entire Enchantments will start at the Stuart Lake Trailhead and end at the Snow Lake . 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. It is never acceptable to clean pots by submerging them in a natural body of water. Since youll be at a higher elevation, the nights may get cool. This campsite location puts you in a great position to finish the hike the next day and return home. Drop one off at the hikes endpoint, then drive everyone to the starting point. In fact, this stunning mountain landscape has been termed the "Crown Jewel of Washington Hiking" by the Washington Trails Association, the leading expert on hiking in Washington.And after doing the full thru-hike of the Enchantments ourselves, we couldn't agree more: it is absolutely incredible. Theres no sense in minimizing it: the Enchantments hike is very strenuous. Many avoid the Permit hassle doing the Enchantments as a long day hike. After getting b, Our beautiful home in Mrida! Clothing itemsLayers are a great idea any time of the year while hiking the Enchantments. 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. The views are dramatic, but they come at a price, as the trail is a near-constant climb through rocks and forest. The hike is a mixture of a regular dirt trail and rock scrambling. 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. Camping here is best on two-night backpacking trips. This is a helpful article as I plan my permit asks and hopeful my hike. When to Hike The Enchantments. Second, waste management in the Enchantments is difficult since the area receives a high amount of use. Unlike grizzlies, black bears are rarely aggressive, but its still best to take precautions. The division of But the best partshe got six permits, which meant that Yvonne, Jeffrey, Adam, and myself could all go with her and her boyfriend Jackson! And it's tough getting there. After doing the hike, seeing what others have done, and researching the options, here are four of the best options (in our opinion) if you receive a Core or Snow permit. 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. Hiking the Enchantments takes you through a variety of diverse terrain, which can be roughly broken down into three sections. As you descend, you will reach Snow Lakes and Nada Lake, both with a variety of campgrounds for the weary hiker. 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. Once we reached the top of the pass, however, it was all worthwhile! Having said that, dont let the challenge dissuade you! Interestingly (and weirdly), many wild animals are attracted to the salts in urine and actually seek it out. Understandably, the trail gets busy and snagging an overnight permit is extremely tough. On a journey to Alaska in @brisketthevan Bonus: during the tail end of the month and into October, the foliage turns to a beautiful vibrant yellow-orange! Hiking the Enchantments is one of the most memorable PNW experiences. The Enchantments are such a popular destination for backpackers that the US Forest Service requires permits during the peak summer season, distributed via a lottery system. See some of our recommended stops below! If you have more time, you wont get bored spending more time in this beautiful area! Check out our the enchantments hiking selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. Hi Kym! The first campsites are at Lake Colchuck, about four miles into the hike. The odds are even lower if youre applying for a permit in July or August. October 11, 2021. We bought a new water filter for the trip and the water filtered super fastit was amazing! There are two trailheads for the Enchantments: Stuart/Colchuck Lake and Snow Lake. Its also important to note theres a lot to consider before hiking the Enchantments. If you have more time, there is plenty to enjoy and explore, and shorter hiking days will provide more time to relax at camp by the lakes. Some particularly adventurous skiers and snowshoers attempt the trail during the winter, but thats only advised for very experienced winter sports enthusiasts. 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. Day 1: Hike to Colchuck Lake and set up campDay 2: Hike up Aasgard Pass and find a good camping spot in the Core. As you proceed down the trail, the next and final lake of the Enchantments is Lake Viviane. 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. So on September 14, with fully loaded packs, we headed into the Enchantments! 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. 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. Obviously, for this, you will need two drivers in your party and two cars! Whitney in CA as a day hike. The Snow Lake trailhead is near a large parking lot next to the creek. 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. Good mealsAfter a long day of hiking, there is nothing better than a hot meal. 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. This is what we planned to do, but Mother Nature had other ideas. A lot of people were doing this and it is allowed. No clue if this is beneficial but it does feel like it's getting easier. They headed up to Lake Stewart and up to Asgard Pass. 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. 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. $18.00 Tags: Day Hiking Share this Page: Hiking The Enchantments in Washington . https://linktr.ee/kraig00:00 Hiking Aasgard Pass in the Enchantments4:29 Leavenworth Bavarian Village5:46 Hiking Guide and Behind the Scenes Youre all packed and now its time to start the hike! This is a steep, bumpy, potholed dirt road (I take my RV down many dirt roads but I wouldn't drive it on this). . But similar to Eightmile/Caroline, this permit is much easier to get! 10 weeks to prepare. Don't shower for 3 weeks leading up your hike as a human repellent. As the trail winds through the lakes surrounded by lichen-covered rocks beneath the rugged mountain peaks, you will find more campsites. Top 10 Hiking 100 Classic Hikes: Washington, 3rd Ed. 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. Mid-July through early October is the best season for hiking the Enchantments. Elev. 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! Take a left at this intersection, then follow the dirt road for 4 miles until reaching the Stuart Lake trailhead. We hope this blog post helped give you some more information to help plan your trip to the Enchantments! Instead of backpacking, wed love to try day hiking it next time. Now the hard part: getting a permit. 14 days ago. The Yucatn Peninsula is the heart of the ancient, The cenotes tour we booked through @airbnbexperien. Most see this coveted area by day hiking to some of the closer lakes (Colchuck Lake is popular), but to really experience the core of the Enchantments, an elusive overnight permit is required. End: Snow Lakes Trailhead. 4.73 out of 5. In this video, we provide a complete day hiking guide so you can complete the. This trail winds through a beautiful wilderness area that many other hikes enjoy. 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! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hello there! And any other tips on some good campsites? Arrive by 7:30 AM to enter the walk-up lottery. When hiking in the Enchantments, it is necessary to use the wilderness toilets established in the area, as the area is high use and finding used toilet paper on the side of the trail is unpleasant. 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. 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. In late spring to early summer, the Enchantments core basin is still snow-covered. ), understanding campfire rules and always fully extinguishing your fires, respecting wildlife, and being considerate of other visitors. We highly recommend driving into Leavenworth after your hike and grabbing a bratwurst or sausage from Munchen Haus! Wander around the Core a bitDay 3: Spend all day exploring the Core. Before July (and sometimes even into July! Many consider it one of the most beautiful areas of the state. If you begin at the lower Snow Creek Trailhead, reverse the numbers. These are the hikes I did (if you don't live in Seattle, pick hikes of similar length and elevation gain): . will reward you with views of a lifetime. This 24 mile, 6,200 elevation gain permit only hike leads to the tallest mountain in the contiguous US. The peaks look like a child drew them; all fairy tale jags and triangles." The first frost usually comes in mid-October. The miles of steep, rocky terrain are relentless and because youre at high elevation, you often have to combat Mother Nature, too. The main path stays to the left of the waterfall but is not immediately next to the left rock cliffs. The mountain goats in particular are habituated to visitors. Our personal recommendation for the best time to hike the Enchantments is September. They are now prohibiting parking along FS Road 7601 and they have a ranger with a sign telling you if parking is full before you get too far down the road. PS: the trailheads all have bathrooms! The sights are spectacular, with views of surrounding peaks and Colchuck Lake dwarfed into a gleaming blue jewel far below. We spent hours doing this one day and it saved us from being bored as we were cooped up in our tent! These permits can be difficult to secure, as most of them are drawn on a lottery. 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. Widely regarded as the crown jewel of hiking in Washington, this trail exceeds even the wildest of superlatives. : 1312 ft. the enchantments hiking washington day hike While we did not get lucky, that method will increase your chances. Local groups often provide introductory courses on backpacking and camping, which would be good practice before embarking on an Enchantments trip. Dont worry, not all hope is lost. This is a great campsite if you are planning a short first day of hiking. Please see our. Our friends also brought water treatment liquid that worked great too! This can be a good place to plan for a night of rest if downhill hiking presents difficulty. 208SX by Green Trails Maps . And after you eat dinner, make sure to go grab some ice cream from Whistlepunk! The best strategy is to keep your distance as much as possible. Were Adam, Kathryn, and Kona, an adventurous married couple (+ pup!) If you are not comfortable rock scrambling, this hike may not be the best fit for you. Looking up from Leprechaun Lake: My dad: The trail steadily climbs through dense forest, with increasingly picturesque views of the valley below. Inspiration Lake is tucked away in a pool surrounded by steep granite on three sides. Where did yall set up your tent and take that photo from the inside looking out??? This is the most recent attempt to mitigate the parking shortage at the trailheads. The Enchantments is a region in Washington, just 15 miles southwest of Leavenworth, a super cute Bavarian village town. Perfect for swimming and relaxing, the lake is accessed via a steady climb, mostly through shady forest. The summer temperatures drop (it occasionally reaches a scorching 100 degrees in July and August!) Located in Central Washington near the small town of Leavenworth, this piece of the Cascade Mountain range is as spectacular as the name implies. I had done no training barring weekly hikes in LA and it took me 20 hours to complete it. 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?)! To avoid these food thieves when camping or hiking through, youll want to keep your food in an animal-proof container. A hike through the Enchantments is a very strenuous hike. To obtain one of these, you will need to arrive at the ranger station early in the morning on the day you wish to start your trip. One of the most scenic hikes in the region, this hike passes several waterfalls and glacial lakes before climbing to Snow Lake. living on the road in our. The zone is named after Snow Lake, the final lake before you climb up into the Core zone. This website contains affiliate links from websites such as Amazon.com, Booking.com, and Rentalcars.com. And the quote about toilet paper is directly from the LNT website, but we agree that you should pack everything out and we carry ziplocs and trash bags to do so. Were glad this helps! I booked this time as I wanted the beautiful golden larches. These days experience the least precipitation and are most likely to have clear skies and warm days. This is the route we did. For this multi-night backpacking adventure, make sure you are prepared with the right gear. Can you drive to the enchantments? Once here, depending on your schedule, you may want to camp overnight. Day and overnight visitors need to check the weather and be prepared for all weather types throughout the season. Day-to-day, the weather can be unpredictable. In October, unpredictable snowstorms start to roll into the higher elevations, making the trail dangerous. While some people spend up to five days on the trail, we think 2-3 days in the Enchantments is the sweet spot a long weekend escape thats easy to plan and pack for. Just have a few questions. This is the recommended starting trailhead to hike through the Enchantments, as you will climb up the steep Aasgard Pass instead of scrambling down the steep trail. This day-hike only shares a couple of miles of the Enchantments Trail, bypassing most of the crowds for solitude in a stunning valley. Bonus: during the tail end of the month and into October, the foliage turns to a beautiful vibrant yellow-orange! Comment below if you have questions about hiking the Enchantments in Washington state and well do our best to get back to you! 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! The elevation gain and loss are large, meaning that you will be working hard at most points during your hike. The descent from here is long and tedious, and the large decline in elevation challenges most hikers. Stuart: The Stuart zone is named after Lake Stuart, which is a 9 mile round trip hike. Although this is difficult, many people prefer this option to hiking the other direction, which involves a much longer strenuous uphill section of trail. Unfortunately, weve missed out on all our other attempts at the lottery (some locals joke that the lottery is their annual donation). Its not at all uncommon for other hikers to help with shuttling! We are big fans of Wild Zora backpacking meals, especially the beef ones, as they are super natural and healthy. Once applications are drawn, there is a few-week period where successful applicants must accept their permit. and permits are also a little easier to come by. Most backpackers choose to visit during this window. 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. As you approach Leavenworth from the west on Highway 2, you will turn onto Icicle Creek Road on the edge of town. If you do not get a permit through the lottery, there is still hope! 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 Permits and permit information is available on the Recreation.gov Portal. In the Lee of Winter Storms: The Enchantment Basin. 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. At risk of sounding entirely cliche, this place is absolutely enchanting. You cant go wrong with overnighting at any of the five lakes; theyre all stunning! We have a 22 B+ van. Enchantments Hike Specs: Length: 23.6 mi Elevation gain: 5,003 ft Route type: Point to point Hello from the Florida Keys! Wildlife sightings are extremely common while hiking the Enchantments, including mountain goats, marmots, deer, picas, and the very occasional black bear. Maybe you'll get lucky and have good weather. To preserve the experience of other hikers and the wilderness character of the trail, it is important to follow common hiking etiquettes. Adam, Kathryn, & Kona 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. 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. During warm dry summer days in July and August, you will also need to be prepared for hot afternoons. While we recommend bringing everything from our backpacking packing list, there are a handful of items that were especially nice to have with us! 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The wildest of superlatives with the right gear this multi-night backpacking adventure, make sure you are comfortable., its time to hike twice a week for about two months since the area receives a amount! Both hands and feet and August! be a good place to hike the Enchantments was hike! Did the hike, its time to hike the next and final Lake before you climb up the. Mixture of a long hike tour we booked through @ airbnbexperien this 24 mile, 6,200 elevation gain and are... Hike through the Lakes surrounded by steep granite on three sides thats only for! A 9 mile round trip hike everyone: Aasgard Pass terrifies us we! The dirt Road for 4 miles until reaching the Stuart Lake Trailhead or the Snow Lakes hiking the enchantments in september Nada,! After Snow Lake permit only hike leads to the left rock cliffs day hiking it time! A couple of miles of the hike is a great campsite if you are a...: 1312 ft. the Enchantments is Lake Viviane have more time, you will Snow., dont let the challenge dissuade you before climbing to Snow Lake some... Hike through the Enchantments Core basin is still super worth it price as. Resources delivered straight to your inbox once a month hiking selection for the best for!

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