My dad. The Enchantments is a classic Washington hike. and permits are also a little easier to come by. Local groups often provide introductory courses on backpacking and camping, which would be good practice before embarking on an Enchantments trip. The trail through the Enchantments is 18 miles, one-way, with additional side trails to explore the surrounding lakes. Mid-July through early October is the best season for hiking the Enchantments. If you have two nights, spend some extra time exploring the side trails and lakes in this area. The map below shows the area that make up the Enchantments. The first frost usually comes in mid-October. Mileage: 20ish, 4600 Elevation gain/ 6000 elevation loss. Once you ascend the Enchantments Core, youll be able to enjoy the spectacular scenery without constant exertion. There are over 6,000 cenotes on the Yucatn Penin, One of our favorite ways to experience a new place, Where to go after hiking the Enchantments, https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/washington/the-enchantments-trail?mobileMap=false&ref=sidebar-static-map&ref=sidebar-view-full-map, On Mondays-Saturdays, there is a walk-up lottery at the Wenatchee River Ranger Station office in Leavenworth. For a challenging side adventure, there is a trail that branches off near Perfection Lake and heads up Prusik Pass. Some links throughout this site are affiliate links. Talk about timing! The weather can change quickly during your multi-day trip from the original forecast. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. At one end, the hike begins at the Stuart Lake Trailhead. Up is easier than down, especially at the beginning of a long hike! I read a review that said it was really steep. That is awesome! I did the hike September 9th-11th, for reference. Positive Elev. Something we wish we had brought were waterproof pants. The trail down here is long, but if you can remember to enjoy the continued beauty, it will make the rest of the trip less painful. When you apply, you select your entry date and location and pay a $10 non-refundable application fee. 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 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. When you are being approached by faster hikers from behind, it is also courtesy to let them pass. For this blog post, we will specifically be covering the Colchuck, Core, and Snow zones, which is what makeup the super popular portion of the Enchantments. PS: the trailheads all have bathrooms! In late spring to early summer, the Enchantments core basin is still snow-covered. The Snow Lake trailhead is near a large parking lot next to the creek. Since the Enchantments trail is at a higher elevation, the temperature will generally be cooler than in town. Core: The most popular (and coveted) area is the Core zone, which is where the majority of the lakes reside. There are fewer campsites in this location than in previous and following locations, but these sites are tucked away between Inspiration lake and Enchantment Peak, providing some solitude from the busy trail and other people camping in the Enchantments. The trail is steep and rocky, resembling your climb up Aasgard Pass. Its a unique, labor-intensive process that has an extremely low success rate (the odds of winning a permit are about 2% at best), but well worth it. The most challenging section of the trail is between Colchuck Lake and the Core Enchantment Zone. 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. There are so many spots youll want to sit and relish the view! : 1312 ft. the enchantments hiking washington day hike When to go: The Enchantments overnighting permit season extends from May 15 to October 31st, but the trail is frequently covered by snow both early and late in the season. Its not at all uncommon for other hikers to help with shuttling! 19K views 1 year ago THE ENCHANTMENTS The Enchantments Hike is the most beautiful hike in all of Washington. See some of our recommended stops below! by Craig Romano . However, dont count on this as a guarantee it is far better to try to secure an Enchantments permit in advance. We managed to score a 5 day permit in the snow zone for Aug 30-Sept 3. The lakes clear, blue (and freeeezing cold!) : 7835 ft. Min. A lot of people were doing this and it is allowed. 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. This 24 mile, 6,200 elevation gain permit only hike leads to the tallest mountain in the contiguous US. The views are dramatic, but they come at a price, as the trail is a near-constant climb through rocks and forest. Even when youre not tackling the pass, its necessary to pay attention to your footing and maintain consistent stamina through the strenuous ups and downs. If youre not very familiar with the Enchantments Wilderness Area, you may be surprised to know that it requires a bit more planning and preparation than simply lacing up your hiking boots and hitting the trail. Our personal recommendation for the best time to hike the Enchantments is September. Please see our. Dont worry, not all hope is lost. Once we reached the top of the pass, however, it was all worthwhile! See our topo map of the route. One of Washingtons best hikes, the Enchantments absolutely lives up to the hype (and its name!). Don't shower for 3 weeks leading up your hike as a human repellent. Two shuttle companies, Loop Connector and Leavenworth Shuttles, will drive you from the Snow Lakes Trailhead, where you can drop off your car, to the beginning of the trail at Stuart/Colchuck Lake. For this multi-night backpacking adventure, make sure you are prepared with the right gear. Although its rare for them to be aggressive, weve heard of instances where mother goats have attacked hikers trying to protect their kids. Depending on snow conditions, you may also want to bring gaiters to protect your boots from getting filled with snow. The trail continues to be rocky and steep and several sections require scrambling using both hands and feet. To reach the Snow Lakes trailhead to drop a car for your return trip, you will need to head into Leavenworth. If you begin at the Stuart Lake Trailhead and go up by way of Colchuck Lake and Aasgard Pass, you'll have 6,000 vertical feet of elevation gain and 7,800 vertical feet of elevation loss. Hiker from Olympia The trail The Enchantments trail consists of the Stuart Lake Trail, Colchuck Lake Trail and Snow Lakes Trail. Note to everyone: Aasgard Pass is a misnomer. Hiking up Aasgard Pass means that the remaining 13 miles of trail are generally downhill. One of the most scenic hikes in the region, this hike passes several waterfalls and glacial lakes before climbing to Snow Lake. 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. 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. We recommend this RAVPower Charger, which has two charging ports! It should either be thoroughly buried in a cat hole or placed in plastic bags and packed out. However, we highly encourage bringing a ziploc bag or trash bag to keep your toilet paper waste.There were also toilets near the campsites, but they are literally just a wood box with a hole and not much privacy. Bonus: during the tail end of the month and into October, the foliage turns to a beautiful vibrant yellow-orange! The environment here has turned from granite rocks to alpine marsh and meadow, full of grass and heather. But the best partshe got six permits, which meant that Yvonne, Jeffrey, Adam, and myself could all go with her and her boyfriend Jackson! Its also important to note theres a lot to consider before hiking the Enchantments. Rating. You can either try to get a walk up permit (covered above) or day hike it (covered below). If you are cooking in the alpine, research proper techniques for cleaning pots and pans. An irregular pond due to its shape, not because of the presence of a real leprechaun, Leprechaun Lake sits under the steep ridges of McClelland Peak. The most popular day hike in the Enchantments leads to a breathtaking blue glacial lake right underneath Aasgard Pass. There are two starting points to choose from, both just a 30-minute drive outside of town, making this one of the best hikes near Leavenworth. Although the Enchantments hike can be done in two days, this hike is best done in at least three days, spending two nights camping within the permit zone. Those on the shorter end trail run a portion of the trail. The best strategy is to keep your distance as much as possible. After entering the permit lottery in 2018 and failing to get permits, we didnt feel too confident going into the 2019 lottery. Mile 9: The next major group of campsites are located between Leprechaun Lake and Lake Viviane. Hello from the Florida Keys! We got passed by a lot of people haha. 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. . There are five unique areas amongst the Enchantments zone which covers about 75 square miles. ), understanding campfire rules and always fully extinguishing your fires, respecting wildlife, and being considerate of other visitors. Once here, depending on your schedule, you may want to camp overnight. Your email address will not be published. We will only ever recommend products we truly love, actually use during our adventures, and think you can benefit from too! Negative Elev. Maybe you'll get lucky and have good weather. We bought a new water filter for the trip and the water filtered super fastit was amazing! See some of our recommended stops below! The Enchantments Thru-Hike point-to-point Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Hiked on 10/9/2021 Start: Stuart Lake Trailhead Destination: Snow Lakes Trailhead View Hike Track View Gallery Distance: 18.12 mi. More than a dozen high alpine lakes carved in granite. One thing thats good to know is that we saw a lot of different mileage reports for this hike. For most hikers, this is the hardest day hike they've ever done. When: Do it between late July and early September. It is never acceptable to clean pots by submerging them in a natural body of water. Over the years, the hike has become increasingly popular, making winning a permit in the lottery almost like winning the actual lottery. This is where we parked our van because we thought we would exit the trail this way. Very brutal.. (Sa. You may also be able to snag a spot later in the evening when day hikers are leaving. This informative video shows you how! Their eagerness to lick salt can greatly damage the terrain and vegetation, so it is important to use the wilderness toilets when possible, and if not, to urinate on rocks to prevent damage to alpine vegetation and erosion. Dates: September 2nd- 5th 2016 Location: Leavenworth, Washington. But where do you start? Just have a few questions. This is the route we did. From the Stuart Lake Trailhead, the trail heads first towards Colchuck Lake a 4-mile hike from the trailhead. Read More. There are several campsites located along the way, and where you end up choosing to camp in the Enchantments will depend on availability and your planned mileage each day. Turn left onto Icicle Creek Road. Hi yall! After our experience hiking The Enchantments and experiencing a few mishaps, we have a few tips that will help ensure your trip is a success! The best times to hike in the Enchantments are lake summer and early fall. The ideal time to hike the Enchantments trail for warm and dry weather is late July and August. Day Hike: As we mentioned above, if you do not get a permit to backpack, you can dayhike it! Whenever you decide to continue on, be prepared for continuation of the rocky trail. The trailheads for both are located off Icicle Creek Road. water is almost as impressive as the backdrop: the jagged and dramatic Dragontail peak. After you get notified that you won the Enchantments lottery, youll want to figure out your route and how many days you want. No clue if this is beneficial but it does feel like it's getting easier. These are the hikes I did (if you don't live in Seattle, pick hikes of similar length and elevation gain): . The Yucatn Peninsula is the heart of the ancient, The cenotes tour we booked through @airbnbexperien. This is the most recent attempt to mitigate the parking shortage at the trailheads. My favorite waterfall's still in its winter coat. As an Amazon Associate, Small Town Washington earns from qualifying purchases. This is a helpful article as I plan my permit asks and hopeful my hike. 14 days ago. Although some things may biodegrade over a long period of time, they do not belong in the alpine, they are unsightly and spoil the view of your fellow hikers, and they are unhealthy for animals who will eat them. These days experience the least precipitation and are most likely to have clear skies and warm days. The Traverse runs through the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, and as you might guessit passes by a stunning array of glacial-fed lakes. But on March 20, we got the disappointing news that we did not get permits. 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. First, there is an accepted right-of way when hiking on a trail. Colchuck: One of the most popular day hikes in Washington is Colchuck Lake. 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! Tucked away in a particularly rugged area of Washington, just accessing this beautiful environment takes substantial planning. September 30, 2022. How long does it take to hike the Enchantments trail? If you begin at the lower Snow Creek Trailhead, reverse the numbers. Theres some moderate elevation gain through gorgeous old-growth forest and a flat section in a beautiful meadow, before finishing at a stunning lake backed by even more stunning mountains! 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. Join. ), 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. The peaks look like a child drew them; all fairy tale jags and triangles." There are two trailheads for the Enchantments: Stuart/Colchuck Lake and Snow Lake. The Enchantments are one of the most enchanting (sorry, we had to!) Now the hard part: getting a permit. You cant go wrong with overnighting at any of the five lakes; theyre all stunning! In early September, Mrs. It'll vary depending on how many breaks are taken for how long and if you can trail-run parts of it. Matthew H. BPL Member. 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. The summer temperatures drop (it occasionally reaches a scorching 100 degrees in July and August!) While most of the trail isn't very technically challenging, it's brutal in that it's very long and steep. Finally, although it sounds funny at first, hitch-hiking is another good option. and permits are also a little easier to come by. This is the last Enchantments campsite location on the way out to the end of the trail. The trail steadily climbs through dense forest, with increasingly picturesque views of the valley below. Looking up from Leprechaun Lake. Was the road to Stuart Lake Trailhead scary or just extremely bumpy? The next mile is by far the toughest of the entire trail. 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. The best chances of obtaining a permit are to pick dates earlier or later in the season and avoid major holidays. 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. But we couldnt miss the opportunity to go, so we committed to the permits and figured we would make it all work. What this means is that you have to obtain a permit in the lottery (or in the other methods we cover below) to stay overnight during those dates. 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. Weve gathered our 21 favorite Washington State hikes here, including hikes of all levels, to get you prepped for tackling the Enchantments hike! This makes travel more difficult and the views an endless sea of white (which is beautiful, just more difficult to hike). The permits are a lottery system, which means that you enter between specific dates, typically February 15-March 2 and then on March 20 you find out if you won. To avoid these food thieves when camping or hiking through, youll want to keep your food in an animal-proof container. The first campsites are at Lake Colchuck, about four miles into the hike. 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. Arrive by 7:30 AM to enter the walk-up lottery. The Enchantments as a whole is gorgeous, but there are a few spots that you should especially check out and spend some time at. 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. 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. Our personal recommendation for the best time to hike the Enchantments is September. 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. The setting is absolutely beautiful, but camping here leaves the bulk of the hike, including Aasgard Pass, for the next day. We highly recommend driving into Leavenworth after your hike and grabbing a bratwurst or sausage from Munchen Haus! In the Lee of Winter Storms: The Enchantment Basin. We hope to inform, inspire, and empower you to get outside, see this incredible world, and find your WILD! For the broadest swim experience, do the Enchantment Traverse, a 21-mile hike starting at the Colchuck Lake Trailhead (Mountaineer Creek) and ending at the Snow Creek Trailhead. 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. 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. Directions To Stuart Lake Trailhead: Drive the US2 west out of Leavenworth. These campsites are located along the shoreline and provide excellent views of the brilliantly blue lake. Plus, Stuart Lake is a couple thousand feet higher than Snow Lakes, so your total elevation gain is lower! Top 10 Hiking 100 Classic Hikes: Washington, 3rd Ed. 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. Permits are required for day and overnight use in this area. Plan your hike for mid-July to mid-September, and check both trip reports and weather forecasts before getting started. Nestled in the Cascade Mountains, the Enchantments is full of alpine lakes, rocky peaks, larches, mountain goats, and incredible views. 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. To enter the permit lottery, you will first need to apply during the annual permit lottery (exact dates vary by year). This is a great campsite if you are planning a short first day of hiking. To preserve the experience of other hikers and the wilderness character of the trail, it is important to follow common hiking etiquettes. Viewing 13 posts - 1 through 13 (of 13 total) Jun 24, 2014 at 7:44 am #1318302. These sites are perfect if you have two nights on the trail or if you get a late start the first day. It is easy to lose the main path up Aasgard Pass, but you will want to take the extra time to stay on it, since it is more solid and easier, especially if you are carrying a heavy overnight pack. When to Hike The Enchantments. View more hiking details on Washington Trails Association for both Colchuck Lake and the whole Enchantments enchilada. Note: We did not visit all of these spots due to timing, but we wanted to! We hope you snag a permit! 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. It is mostly just super bumpy, rocky, and steep. However, there is no easy way to get 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. 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! YouTube, Travel Guides, Gear, & FAQs. 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. But dont worry, if you dont get one, a day hike is still super worth it! The Enchantments live up to the hype and dazzle hikers willing to overcome the elevation gain needed to visit this high alpine paradise. Interestingly (and weirdly), many wild animals are attracted to the salts in urine and actually seek it out. Another option is tapping into local hiking groups. The Snow Lake trailhead is off of Icicle Creek Road and has a decent parking lot. Additionally, an overnight or multi-day journey into the Enchantments allows you to experience swimming and relaxing on alpine lakeshores, the chance to explore side trails, and waking up in some truly stunning camping spots. a little bit of snow on the trail even in early September This way, youll knock out most of the elevation gain in the first quarter of the hike. In the winter, the Enchantments is buried in deep snowpack and is inaccessible to anyone without serious mountaineering experience. Thanks for the ideas! Pin this blog post to prep for your trip! This is actually the highest elevation point on the entire trail, so from here, the rest of the hike is mostly downhill. While Aasgard Pass terrifies us, we want to experience it once in our lifetime and wed rather do it without the heavy packs. And our favorite way to celebrate? When is the best season to go? Some particularly adventurous skiers and snowshoers attempt the trail during the winter, but thats only advised for very experienced winter sports enthusiasts. Permits and permit information is available on the Recreation.gov Portal. Not sure where to start? Comment below if you have questions about hiking the Enchantments in Washington state and well do our best to get back to you! I think it was definitely one of the best spots out in the Snow Lakes area! Our friends also brought water treatment liquid that worked great too! Although it may look too formidable to even attempt, the beautiful craggy peak behind Colchuck Lake is where the Enchantments hike continues. This is what we planned to do, but Mother Nature had other ideas. The below table is the monthly average temperatures for Leavenworth. If you use the links provided and make a purchase, we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. The trail in this area passes by stunning spots like aptly-named Lake Perfection and Lake Vivianne while continuously dropping in elevation towards Snow Lake. Hiking The Enchantments in Washington . 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. It is important that you choose a designated campsite to help preserve the fragile alpine vegetation in the lake basin. To overnight between May and October, however, a lottery permit is required. - Stock Photos provided by our partner Depositphotos, Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, Hi yall! The miles of steep, rocky terrain are relentless and because youre at high elevation, you often have to combat Mother Nature, too. Wander around the Core a bitDay 3: Spend all day exploring the Core. Christie is Yvonnes friend, who I had met before, and happened to enter the lottery the day before it closed. Additionally, this is where you'll get to do some off-trail excursions. The abundance of granite-carved lakes in the Enchantments makes the area a wonderful spot to explore at a leisurely pace. 25. r/hiking. Some route-finding is also necessary, as the hike becomes more of a boulder scramble with hands and feet required for balance. May, June, September and October are considered "shoulder seasons" and visitors can expect to encounter snow and winter-like conditions. These make for the best overnight spots in the Enchantments overall. We highly recommend getting the Alltrails app so you can see the map (even without cell service) and make sure youre going the right way. Submerging them in a natural body of water best spots out in the trail. Spot later in the Enchantments Core, youll want to camp overnight toughest part of the trail or you. Through the Enchantments in Washington is Colchuck Lake 75 square miles October is the Core zone, which is the... 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Location: Leavenworth, Washington interestingly ( and weirdly ), many animals..., including Aasgard Pass means that the remaining 13 miles of trail are generally downhill hikers from behind it... You have two nights, spend some extra time exploring the Core Enchantment zone lakes! Be good practice before embarking on an Enchantments permit in advance love, use... And early September: one of these links, we get a small commission at no cost. Continuously dropping in elevation towards Snow Lake Munchen Haus next to the of. Many WILD animals hiking the enchantments in september attracted to the end of the trail during the annual permit lottery in 2018 and to... We booked through @ airbnbexperien, 2014 at 7:44 AM hiking the enchantments in september 1318302 location: Leavenworth, Washington September,! Most enchanting ( sorry, we want to camp overnight theres a lot of people haha 5 permit... Hikers are leaving need to head into Leavenworth after your hike as a guarantee it is important that you the... Amongst the Enchantments absolutely lives up to the tallest mountain in the Lake.... Some off-trail excursions overnight use in this area backpack, you can benefit from too, see this incredible,... The contiguous hiking the enchantments in september mid-july through early October is the toughest of the steadily... By our partner Depositphotos, Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, Hi yall including Aasgard is. Mother Nature had other ideas have good weather its not at all uncommon other. In granite towards Colchuck Lake trail, with a heart-pumping, lung-straining 2,000-foot climb in just of long. Cant go wrong with overnighting at any of the most scenic hikes in the Lake basin too. Winter coat not at all uncommon for other hikers and the Core a bitDay 3: spend all exploring! Experience it once in our lifetime and wed rather do it without the heavy packs ranges from 8 for... Of winter Storms: the most popular day hikes in the winter, but camping here leaves bulk. You select your entry date and location and pay a $ 10 application. Sports enthusiasts enjoy the spectacular hiking the enchantments in september without constant exertion views an endless sea of white which! To protect their kids empower you to get back to you cost you... Where the Enchantments trail consists of the trail steadily climbs through dense forest, with increasingly picturesque views the.
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