We hope to inform, inspire, and empower you to get outside, see this incredible world, and find your WILD! September 8, 2016. This area is called Aasgard Pass, and it's a lung-straining 2,000-ft climb in just under a mile. The Enchantments is a slice of hiking paradise. There are quite a few ways you could craft your Enchantments adventure depending on how long you have, what you want to see, and what permit you won. Drop one off at the hikes endpoint, then drive everyone to the starting point. living on the road in our. Where did yall set up your tent and take that photo from the inside looking out??? Wildlife in the area is accustomed to visitors, making it easy to get good pictures of any you spot during your trip. See some of our recommended stops below! : 7982 ft. Max Elev. Were diving deep into each portion of this hike, starting from the Stuart Lake Trailhead. Note: Winners are drawn at random, so it makes absolutely no difference when you apply, as long as its within the application period. Permits are required for day and overnight use in this area. Here are some of these hiking courtesies that help improve everyones trip. Please see our. With the added weight of a pack, some training or backpacking experience is highly recommended before attempting to hike the Enchantments. Mile 9: The next major group of campsites are located between Leprechaun Lake and Lake Viviane. Our friends had some and we were a taddddd jealous when their legs were nice and dry!If its warm out, bring a swimsuit so you can swim in one of the lakes! Backpacking the Enchantments is a very strenuous trip that (with the proper training!) The Stuart/Colchuck Lake trailhead is down a VERY rough forested road. Ever since moving to Washington and learning about this beautiful region, we had our sights set on backpacking there. View more hiking details on Washington Trails Association for both Colchuck Lake and the whole Enchantments enchilada. 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. My favorite waterfall's still in its winter coat. Hiker from Olympia The trail The Enchantments trail consists of the Stuart Lake Trail, Colchuck Lake Trail and Snow Lakes Trail. The summer temperatures drop (it occasionally reaches a scorching 100 degrees in July and August!) 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 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. ELEVATION GAIN: around 5,000 feet of elevation gain across the entire 20-mile length of the trail; this includes climbing 1,900 feet in less than a mile up and over Aasgard Pass. In addition to the lottery permits, a very limited number of permits are reserved for walk-ins available at the Leavenworth Ranger Station. From the Stuart Lake Trailhead, the trail heads first towards Colchuck Lake a 4-mile hike from the trailhead. This is a helpful article as I plan my permit asks and hopeful my hike. To reach the Snow Lakes trailhead to drop a car for your return trip, you will need to head into Leavenworth. We bought a new water filter for the trip and the water filtered super fastit was amazing! 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. Plan your hike for mid-July to mid-September, and check both trip reports and weather forecasts before getting started. Sounds like you know what you're doing - it will be an adventure. 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. In October, unpredictable snowstorms start to roll into the higher elevations, making the trail dangerous. 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! Take a left at this intersection, then follow the dirt road for 4 miles until reaching the Stuart Lake trailhead. And do it on a hot daya record-breaking hot day is even better. Where is the Enchantments hike? So I'm also going to try to do the Enchantments this year. The descent from here is long and tedious, and the large decline in elevation challenges most hikers. Rating. We day hiked to Eightmile Lake a couple years ago and it was beautiful, although not as scenic as some of the other Enchantment lakes (like Colchuck). 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. October 11, 2021. This beautiful glacial gem is the perfect spot for a snack, swim, and at least a few minutes of relaxation from here, things are going to get much harder. Will travel for tacos, BBQ, & ice cream To be on the safe side, plan your hike for mid-July to late-September. We got passed by a lot of people haha. The level of difficulty and sheer distance of the trail mean the best way to experience this area is via a multi-day hike. This trail gains a modest amount of elevation, at 2300 feet, but this is just the beginning of the hike. $18.00 Tags: Day Hiking Share this Page: living on the road in ourself-converted sprinter van! However, space on the shuttles is limited and they dont always operate on weekdays, so its best to book well in advance. All Rights Reserved. At this time, applicants must choose an exit date and provide payment for the permits. The setting is absolutely beautiful, but camping here leaves the bulk of the hike, including Aasgard Pass, for the next day. The first campsites are at Lake Colchuck, about four miles into the hike. 1. However, camping and hiking in the Enchantments is well worth all the effort! 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. Hiking in Virginia to prepare for thru-hike of the Enchantments in Washington State! Its also nice to see how far you have to your next stop . It would be reasonable to plan up to 12 hours plus drive time if you want to take. You can either start and end at the same trailhead or start and end at different trailheads depending on the route youre going to take. The peaks look like a child drew them; all fairy tale jags and triangles." Although this is difficult, many people prefer this option to hiking the other direction, which involves a much longer strenuous uphill section of trail. Hi Kym! This informative video shows you how! The Enchantments live up to the hype and dazzle hikers willing to overcome the elevation gain needed to visit this high alpine paradise. Mile 13.5: If you prefer to travel a litter further on your final day, a few campsites are located near Nada Lake. Whitney in CA as a day hike. The trail up Aasgard Pass looks a little unlike a trail at times, with the steep terrain and loose footing requiring hands-and-feet scrambling to reach the top. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hello there! Here, just east of Leavenworth in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness and reachable only on foot, are the Enchantments. This is where we parked our van because we thought we would exit the trail this way. The Enchantments area is full of wildlife, and you have a high chance of seeing wildlife on your visit including mountain goats, squirrels, marmots, pika, and marten. : 7835 ft. Min. If you are not comfortable rock scrambling, this hike may not be the best fit for you. As you head down from Isolation and Tranquil Lakes, the terrain changes from the smooth granite rocks to alpine meadows. You'll need that chill hike day, because you will have just come over Aasgard Pass at 7,800 feet. Before July (and sometimes even into July! Although it may look too formidable to even attempt, the beautiful craggy peak behind Colchuck Lake is where the Enchantments hike continues. The best season to hike to the lakes is summer and early fall, namely late July/August to September/early October. My dad. This is another hike that is a doable day trip, but if youd like to stay overnight, youll need to enter the Enchantments lottery for a permit. One thing thats good to know is that we saw a lot of different mileage reports for this hike. We hope you snag a permit! At one end, the hike begins at the Stuart Lake Trailhead. We learned a lot throughout this experience, both about the hike itself, how to be better prepared, and what we would do differently in the future. Spread out over a few days, its incredibly rewarding, with once-in-a-lifetime views and experience to match your efforts. Some links throughout this site are affiliate links. Pin this blog post to prep for your trip! 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. One of Washingtons best hikes, the Enchantments absolutely lives up to the hype (and its name!). Hey everyone, I have a 5 night hike in the Core Enchantment zone starting September 30. Hikers use two trails to approach the Enchantments Basin. The trail is steep and rocky, resembling your climb up Aasgard Pass. Elev. The division of How late can you hike the Enchantments? Youre all packed and now its time to start the hike! More than a dozen high alpine lakes carved in granite. Starting at Stuart / Colchuck Lake trailhead means you climb 4,549 ft and descend 6,688 ft. If you arent up to completing the entire thru-hike, there are multiple shorter trails in the Enchantments. Most backpackers choose to visit during this window. 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!) And after you eat dinner, make sure to go grab some ice cream from Whistlepunk! 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?)! . Day 4: Hike out through Colchuck. Dates: September 2nd- 5th 2016 Location: Leavenworth, Washington. The elevation gain and loss are large, meaning that you will be working hard at most points during your hike. Because of the popularity of the area, backpacking permits to camp in the core Enchantments area are required May 15-October 31st, and they are in high demand -- I've applied three years in a row without any luck. It is mostly just super bumpy, rocky, and steep. Best Time to Hike the Enchantments The start of the Core Enchantment Zone As the permit window would suggest, the best time to hike the Enchantments is June - October. The Enchantments are one of the most enchanting (sorry, we had to!) Colchuck Lake: Stuart Lake Trailhead to first view of the lake4.2 miles (one way)2,200 ft elevation gain. See our topo map of the route. While we did not get lucky, that method will increase your chances. 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. 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! I did the hike September 9th-11th, for reference. If you do not have prior wilderness backpacking experience, first try some shorter trips to learn how to pack, improve your fitness level, and practice backpacking skills. After entering the permit lottery in 2018 and failing to get permits, we didnt feel too confident going into the 2019 lottery. This is a great campsite if you are planning a short first day of hiking. In this video, we provide a complete day hiking guide so you can complete the. I started out building the ability to walk 5-7 miles without flagging, then practiced climbing up steep hills. The smaller creatures in the Enchantments marmots, pikas, marten, squirrels are used to finding human food around backpacks and tents. Once here, depending on your schedule, you may want to camp overnight. . ), understanding campfire rules and always fully extinguishing your fires, respecting wildlife, and being considerate of other visitors. There are five total regions: Eightmile/Caroline, Stuart, Colchuck, Core, and Snow. 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. The Enchantments as a whole is gorgeous, but there are a few spots that you should especially check out and spend some time at. Dont be fooled that you are reaching the end here, even though you are leaving the lake basin! Continue reading. 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. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 12 h 12 min to complete. 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. : 1312 ft. the enchantments hiking washington day hike We recommend starting at the Colchuck/Stewart lake trailhead and knocking out Aasgard first, as the rest of the hike will be downhill from there. We are big fans of Wild Zora backpacking meals, especially the beef ones, as they are super natural and healthy. Core: The most popular (and coveted) area is the Core zone, which is where the majority of the lakes reside. In either direction, the trail is stunning, offering views across the Cascades and passing by numerous bright-blue glacial lakes and chiseled mountain peaks. 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. In 2018 (still waiting on 2019 numbers), 17,586 people applied for 708 Core permitsgiving them a 4% chance to snag one. When is the best season to go? This is a steep, bumpy, potholed dirt road (I take my RV down many dirt roads but I wouldn't drive it on this). 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. 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. 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. Hiking the Enchantments means your jaw will drop at every turn. Widely regarded as the crown jewel of hiking in Washington, this trail exceeds even the wildest of superlatives. HeadlampsHaving a headlamp is not only one of the 10 hiking essentials, but is especially important if you plan to hike for sunrise, or just have to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night. There are numerous epic campsites along the trail; however, where you can camp overnight depends strictly on the permit you receive. 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. Just outside of the Bavarian town of Leavenworth, the Enchantments are part of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness filled with pristine glacial lakes surrounded by towering granite peaks. These days experience the least precipitation and are most likely to have clear skies and warm days. 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. End: Snow Lakes Trailhead. On average, 10 active hours for typical hiking speed of 1000 ft/hr. 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. However, you obviously cant rely on or plan around hitch-hiking and not everyone is comfortable with it. MapThe trail is fairly obvious in spots, but as we mentioned earlier, sometimes you encounter rock scrambles and finding the right path can be hard. There are two trailheads for the Enchantments: Stuart/Colchuck Lake and Snow Lake. This trail winds through a beautiful wilderness area that many other hikes enjoy. February 1, 2022. We were so thankful we brought layers as we froze during the hike. Overview of the Enchantments Hike These statistics are for the thru-hike from Stuart/Colchuck Lake Trailhead to the Snow Lakes Trailhead. But the wait, stress, and uncertainty of getting to access this area is worth it!Note: Dogs are not allowed in the Enchantments. 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 . Local groups often provide introductory courses on backpacking and camping, which would be good practice before embarking on an Enchantments trip. The best time to go hiking in the Enchantments is mid-July through early October. Perfect for swimming and relaxing, the lake is accessed via a steady climb, mostly through shady forest. 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. Negative Elev. Unfortunately, weve missed out on all our other attempts at the lottery (some locals joke that the lottery is their annual donation). 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! Bring rain entertainmentOne of the best things we did was download Netflix and books in case it rained. Top 10 Hiking 100 Classic Hikes: Washington, 3rd Ed. 208SX by Green Trails Maps . There are five unique areas amongst the Enchantments zone which covers about 75 square miles. If you do not get a permit during the permit window, or happen to be visiting outside of that window, there is a small chance you can hike in the area during other times of the year, but you will likely encounter a lot of snow. 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. Its also important to note theres a lot to consider before hiking the Enchantments. Enchantments Hike Specs: Length: 23.6 mi Elevation gain: 5,003 ft Route type: Point to point The Enchantments hike is most commonly completed as a one-way thru-hike since the hike is long and the terrain can be difficult. We would love to do this hike again in the future, however, we think we would do it a bit differently. You can also choose an alternate leader. Camping spots are limited, but when possible, put your tent up away from other tents to give other campers privacy. At risk of sounding entirely cliche, this place is absolutely enchanting. The Yucatn Peninsula is the heart of the ancient, The cenotes tour we booked through @airbnbexperien. 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. Those on the shorter end trail run a portion of the trail. After you finish your hike, its time to celebrate! If you click through a link on Small Town Washington, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Day-to-day, the weather can be unpredictable. 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. Here's her trip in photos. Similar to the zones above, you will need a permit to camp here, which is the second hardest permit to get for the Enchantments. This way, youll knock out most of the elevation gain in the first quarter of the hike. This means that you will start at one trailhead and end your hike at another, without retracing your steps. 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. You may also be able to snag a spot later in the evening when day hikers are leaving. Overview of the Enchantments Hike Length of Time: 8 to 15 hours. Here you will also encounter larches, the iconic coniferous tree with deciduous needles that turn bright yellow before they drop for the winter. We will only ever recommend products we truly love, actually use during our adventures, and think you can benefit from too! Your email address will not be published. However, there is no easy way to get there. Some route-finding is also necessary, as the hike becomes more of a boulder scramble with hands and feet required for balance. The elevation gain and loss are large, meaning that you will be working hard at most points during your hike. Mile 7: The next campsites are located just below the Upper Enchantment Lakes just before the trail descends down the ridge. $21.95 Day Hiking Central Cascades by Craig Romano . 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. Note: in 2019 they reduced the number of permits due to wildfire damage. 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 parking lots have very limited parking even with these designated spots, so it is a good idea to arrive as early as possible. The Snow Lake trailhead is off of Icicle Creek Road and has a decent parking lot. This is a very popular area for backpacking, camping, and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. hiking the Enchantments, WA. Talk about timing! We hope this blog post helped give you some more information to help plan your trip to the Enchantments! We have a leisurely morning, then set out on a meandering dayhike up through the snow into the Upper Core. This is the route we did. The trail crosses over a wooden bridge at this point, marking the end of the Enchantment Lakes basin. The trail through the Enchantments is also very rocky and uneven, further increasing the difficulty of the hike. Bonus: during the tail end of the month and into October, the foliage turns to a beautiful vibrant yellow-orange! The way I prepared for the Enchantments was to hike twice a week for about two months. I've been trying to prep by putting some weights in my backpack and hiking up and down the hills by my house. And to watch our experience, check out our vlog below! The Enchantments is a region in Washington, just 15 miles southwest of Leavenworth, a super cute Bavarian village town. I booked this time as I wanted the beautiful golden larches. Its not at all uncommon for other hikers to help with shuttling! For most hikers, this is the hardest day hike they've ever done. 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. Anytime! The best chances of obtaining a permit are to pick dates earlier or later in the season and avoid major holidays. Were Adam, Kathryn, and Kona, an adventurous married couple (+ pup!) En route, youll spot the craggy peaks of the Enchantments without a thigh-burning climb. The trailheads for both are located off Icicle Creek Road. 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! See some of our recommended stops below!