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. Nestled in the Cascade Mountains, the Enchantments is full of alpine lakes, rocky peaks, larches, mountain goats, and incredible views. Some links in this post may be affiliate links. 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. Insider tip: Since these campsites are outside the Core Enchantment zone, theyre easier to obtain and open to groups, rather than just individuals. To preserve the experience of other hikers and the wilderness character of the trail, it is important to follow common hiking etiquettes. If you are cooking in the alpine, research proper techniques for cleaning pots and pans. I read a review that said it was really steep. 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. Since the Enchantments hike is a point to point trail, its necessary to consider transportation logistics. Drive 8.4 miles and turn left onto Forest Service Road 7601. Almost immediately beyond the lake, the trail becomes littered with large boulders and scree, making a bit of route-finding a sudden necessity. This area is called Aasgard Pass, and it's a lung-straining 2,000-ft climb in just under a mile. Interestingly (and weirdly), many wild animals are attracted to the salts in urine and actually seek it out. Don't shower for 3 weeks leading up your hike as a human repellent. Having said that, dont let the challenge dissuade you! There are five permit zones: Core Enchantment, Snow Lake, Colchuck Lake, Stuart Lake, and the Eightmile/Caroline zone. If you get lucky, you have until March 31 to accept your permit, otherwise those do become available to the public. This is where we parked our van because we thought we would exit the trail this way. We hope this blog post helped give you some more information to help plan your trip to the Enchantments! Its a good idea to pack bear spray just to be safe. Youll pass through dense forests, blankets of wildflowers, and high-elevation mountain passes to reach an otherworldly tree-less environment filled only with ancient rocks molded by wind and water. Mile 7: The next campsites are located just below the Upper Enchantment Lakes just before the trail descends down the ridge. Regardless of the weather you will need to be prepared for fluctuating temperatures and potential storms. 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. This is a helpful article as I plan my permit asks and hopeful my hike. Was the road to Stuart Lake Trailhead scary or just extremely bumpy? Wander around the Core a bitDay 3: Spend all day exploring the Core. To be on the safe side, plan your hike for mid-July to late-September. September 8, 2016. In early September, Mrs. Although this is difficult, many people prefer this option to hiking the other direction, which involves a much longer strenuous uphill section of trail. Your email address will not be published. This makes travel more difficult and the views an endless sea of white (which is beautiful, just more difficult to hike). Will travel for tacos, BBQ, & ice cream To enter the permit lottery, you will first need to apply during the annual permit lottery (exact dates vary by year). 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. McClellan Peak, Little Annapurna, Dragontail Peak, and Pusik Pass are all accessible from the Core. Your email address will not be published. Wander around the Core a bitDay 3: Spend all day exploring the Core. While we did not get lucky, that method will increase your chances. In 2018 (still waiting on 2019 numbers), 17,586 people applied for 708 Core permitsgiving them a 4% chance to snag one. 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! Drop one off at the hikes endpoint, then drive everyone to the starting point. Instead of backpacking, wed love to try day hiking it next time. Christie is Yvonnes friend, who I had met before, and happened to enter the lottery the day before it closed. The permit season for the Enchantments is between May 15 and October 31. Black bear sightings are very uncommon here, but do occasionally happen. With a large b, Our FAVORITE things we did in Mrida, Mexico! If you have more time, you wont get bored spending more time in this beautiful area! But on March 20, we got the disappointing news that we did not get permits. Everything you bring in needs to be taken out this includes trash, fruit peels, etc. During warm dry summer days in July and August, you will also need to be prepared for hot afternoons. Some route-finding is also necessary, as the hike becomes more of a boulder scramble with hands and feet required for balance. October 11, 2021. All rights reserved. I started out building the ability to walk 5-7 miles without flagging, then practiced climbing up steep hills. Depending on snow conditions, you may also want to bring gaiters to protect your boots from getting filled with snow. However, its worth the effort! The best times to hike in the Enchantments are lake summer and early fall. We arrived at Stuart/Colchuck at 7 AM and got the last overnight permit spot and there were lots of day hikers that were struggling to park. And to watch our experience, check out our vlog below! However, since these are averages it is best to be prepared for a wide range of temperatures during your trip. 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. Warning: this will be a long and exhausting day! : 7835 ft. Min. Dont worry, not all hope is lost. The best season to hike to the lakes is summer and early fall, namely late July/August to September/early October. 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! In addition to physical preparation, an understanding of wilderness travel and first aid will greatly improve your trip if anything goes wrong. 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. This is the last Enchantments campsite location on the way out to the end of the trail. 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?! 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. The trail through the Enchantments is also very rocky and uneven, further increasing the difficulty of the hike. 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. Adam, Kathryn, & Kona When the landscape is snow-covered, the lakes may be frozen and not distinguishable from the rest of the landscape. Anytime! External chargerThis is a must for a multi-day backpacking trip! Since the Enchantments trail is at a higher elevation, the temperature will generally be cooler than in town. However, space on the shuttles is limited and they dont always operate on weekdays, so its best to book well in advance. 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. 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. ), only experienced and fit hikers who are very confident in their abilities should attempt it. I had done no training barring weekly hikes in LA and it took me 20 hours to complete it. 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. I'd say starting at the Snow Lakes trailhead, hiking down and out Aasgard Pass to the Colchuck trailhead, is easier than the other way around. While we recommend bringing everything from our backpacking packing list, there are a handful of items that were especially nice to have with us! The Traverse runs through the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, and as you might guessit passes by a stunning array of glacial-fed lakes. We hope to inform, inspire, and empower you to get outside, see this incredible world, and find your WILD! We have a 22 B+ van. View more hiking details on Washington Trails Association for both Colchuck Lake and the whole Enchantments enchilada. Ensure you know the correct routes and have the gear to keep you safe. We have a leisurely morning, then set out on a meandering dayhike up through the snow into the Upper Core. Core Enchantments:From Colchuck Lake to the top of Aasgard Pass:2.5 miles (one way)2,500 ft elevation gain, From the inlet of Upper Snow Lake to Lake Viviane:1.5 miles (one way)1,400 ft elevation gain. 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. living on the road in our. Positive Elev. Hello from the Florida Keys! Try this 20.5-mile point-to-point trail near Leavenworth, Washington. : 1312 ft. the enchantments hiking washington day hike Bear CanisterWhile we did not see any bears during our trip, we always pack a bear canister when in the wilderness to safely store our food. See some of our recommended stops below! It should actually called "Asskick Pass". 4.73 out of 5. Finally, although it sounds funny at first, hitch-hiking is another good option. And she got permits! Permits and permit information is available on the Recreation.gov Portal. For this multi-night backpacking adventure, make sure you are prepared with the right gear. This can be a good place to plan for a night of rest if downhill hiking presents difficulty. 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. 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. The below table is the monthly average temperatures for Leavenworth. 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. The miles of steep, rocky terrain are relentless and because youre at high elevation, you often have to combat Mother Nature, too. We were so thankful we brought layers as we froze during the hike. The elevation gain and loss are large, meaning that you will be working hard at most points during your hike. 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. They also make some amazing meat and veggie bars. 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. Ambitious day hikers will be richly rewarded for tackling all 20 miles in a day. 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. The setting is picture-perfect; however, hiking here in just one day from Stuart Lake is challenging. Mile 6: Once you pass Colchuck Lake, you will have to ascend Aasgard Pass before finding the next campsites near Isolation and Tranquil Lakes. 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. The summer temperatures drop (it occasionally reaches a scorching 100 degrees in July and August!) Enter: Christie, our Enchantments savior. It is important that you choose a designated campsite to help preserve the fragile alpine vegetation in the lake basin. The setting is absolutely beautiful, but camping here leaves the bulk of the hike, including Aasgard Pass, for the next day. 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. May, June, September and October are considered "shoulder seasons" and visitors can expect to encounter snow and winter-like conditions. day hikes near Leavenworth. Prusik Peak over Lake Viviane. Were Adam, Kathryn, and Kona, an adventurous married couple (+ pup!) One of the most scenic hikes in the region, this hike passes several waterfalls and glacial lakes before climbing to Snow Lake. Dont be fooled that you are reaching the end here, even though you are leaving the lake basin! Mile 11: The shores of the Snow Lakes are the last large group of campsites. The Enchantments are an absolutely amazing alpine wonderland located in central Washington state. But we couldnt miss the opportunity to go, so we committed to the permits and figured we would make it all work. water is almost as impressive as the backdrop: the jagged and dramatic Dragontail peak. They are pit toilets, but its good for a last minute bathroom break before hitting the trail! 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. With over 2,000 feet of elevation gain in less than a single mile in distance, the climb challenges both stamina and determination. YouTube, Travel Guides, Gear, & FAQs. Looking up from Leprechaun Lake. Not sure where to start? The permits for the Enchantments area are divided into zones. Maybe you'll get lucky and have good weather. Regardless, we decided to go for it considering the luck of the permits - so here is the recap of The Enchantments hike that we completed September 26-27, 2020. Drive 4 miles past the Snow Lakes parking lot until you reach FS Road 7601. 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. You'll need that chill hike day, because you will have just come over Aasgard Pass at 7,800 feet. Mile 8: Just below Inspiration Lake is another group of campsites. After you get notified that you won the Enchantments lottery, youll want to figure out your route and how many days you want. But once you get up Aasgard, you have an alpine lake filled playground to call home for the night. Colchuck Lake: Stuart Lake Trailhead to first view of the lake4.2 miles (one way)2,200 ft elevation gain. 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. The trail steadily climbs through dense forest, with increasingly picturesque views of the valley below. Soon, the forest reappears and its a foot-battering descent down to the Snow Lake trailhead. As you head down from Isolation and Tranquil Lakes, the terrain changes from the smooth granite rocks to alpine meadows. 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. The most challenging section of the trail is between Colchuck Lake and the Core Enchantment Zone. ), 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. Rating. To help plan your trip, here are the approximate locations of some of the most common campsites along the trail. The maximum group size is 8 people. One awesome thing about this permit is that you can camp in any of the zones, which gives you a lot of flexibility in your trip! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Perfection Lake is another clear, shallow alpine lake, perhaps more beautiful than the previous ones (hence its name, perhaps!). From Lake Viviane, the trail descends steeply down towards the Snow Lakes. These permits can be difficult to secure, as most of them are drawn on a lottery. Heres a quick rundown of each one! 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. 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. The hope for most is that dry sunny weather will coincide with whatever dates the luck of the draw has bestowed on them. Mountain goats are the most prevalent wildlife youll encounter. A hike through the Enchantments is a very strenuous hike. Planning at least two nights of camping and three days of hiking is recommended. While taking pictures and enjoying the company, you will need to keep your distance to keep yourself and the animals safe. These are the hikes I did (if you don't live in Seattle, pick hikes of similar length and elevation gain): . This is a very popular area for backpacking, camping, and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. THE ENCHANTMENTS TRAIL BREAKDOWN. But where do you start? Although it may look too formidable to even attempt, the beautiful craggy peak behind Colchuck Lake is where the Enchantments hike continues. Some random moments from our two weeks in Mrida! And do it on a hot daya record-breaking hot day is even better. As an Airbnb Associate, we may earn a commission when you book through our links, at no extra cost to you. When is the best season to go? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hello there! Talk about timing! 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. However, our friends had to park on the side of the road. With the added weight of a pack, some training or backpacking experience is highly recommended before attempting to hike the Enchantments. Permits are required for day and overnight use in this area. The way I prepared for the Enchantments was to hike twice a week for about two months. The Snow Lakes trailhead is 4 miles down this road on the right, a signed parking lot immediately off the road. 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. https://linktr.ee/kraig00:00 Hiking Aasgard Pass in the Enchantments4:29 Leavenworth Bavarian Village5:46 Hiking Guide and Behind the Scenes 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! 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