Dont be fooled that you are reaching the end here, even though you are leaving the lake basin! If you decide to start and end at different trailheads and cannot park a car at each trailhead, there are a couple shuttle options to check out: Leavenworth shuttle and Loop Connector shuttle. The elevation gain and loss are large, meaning that you will be working hard at most points during your hike. Up is easier than down, especially at the beginning of a long hike! Once applications are drawn, there is a few-week period where successful applicants must accept their permit. We only recommend products we truly love, actually use during our adventures, and think you can benefit from too! Directions To Stuart Lake Trailhead: Drive the US2 west out of Leavenworth. When to Hike The Enchantments. This 18-mile point-to-point traverse climbs up and over the heart of the mountain range, affording you the opportunity to soak in the grandeur of the Enchantments. 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. Want to discover more trails in Washington? Those on the shorter end trail run a portion of the trail. Permits are required for day and overnight use in this area. More than a dozen high alpine lakes carved in granite. We recommend this RAVPower Charger, which has two charging ports! And to watch our experience, check out our vlog below! 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. In either direction, the trail is stunning, offering views across the Cascades and passing by numerous bright-blue glacial lakes and chiseled mountain peaks. We camped probably 1 mile from where you start the hike to the Core from the Snow Lakes area. It should actually called "Asskick Pass". This trail winds through a beautiful wilderness area that many other hikes enjoy. ! Additionally, this is where you'll get to do some off-trail excursions. The first frost usually comes in mid-October. The Enchantments is a region in Washington, just 15 miles southwest of Leavenworth, a super cute Bavarian village town. However, there is no easy way to get there. While youll have no cell phone service, being able to charge your phone to take photos, look at a map, etc is crucial. The Snow Lake trailhead is near a large parking lot next to the creek. Matthew H. BPL Member. 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. The best time to go hiking in the Enchantments is mid-July through early October. Whenever you decide to continue on, be prepared for continuation of the rocky trail. $21.95 Day Hiking Central Cascades by Craig Romano . This 24 mile, 6,200 elevation gain permit only hike leads to the tallest mountain in the contiguous US. Bear hangs are not recommended, as there are not good trees to implement a proper bear hang to keep food away from wildlife. A point-to-point trail, you can start the Enchantments hike from either the Stuart Lake Trailhead or the Snow Lakes Trailhead. The main reason to day-hike the Enchantments is that doing so means you dont need a hard-to-get camping permit. 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 is the last Enchantments campsite location on the way out to the end of the trail. The Enchantments is a region in Washington, just 15 miles southwest of Leavenworth, a super cute Bavarian village town. There are two trailheads for the Enchantments: Stuart/Colchuck Lake and Snow Lake. The lakes clear, blue (and freeeezing cold!) $18.00 Tags: Day Hiking Share this Page: Overview of the Enchantments Hike These statistics are for the thru-hike from Stuart/Colchuck Lake Trailhead to the Snow Lakes Trailhead. 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. 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. But the wait, stress, and uncertainty of getting to access this area is worth it!Note: Dogs are not allowed in the Enchantments. Some random moments from our two weeks in Mrida! 208SX by Green Trails Maps . and permits are also a little easier to come by. Its a bit of a pain to carry, but worth it to avoid any mishaps with wildlife. I've been trying to prep by putting some weights in my backpack and hiking up and down the hills by my house. And she got permits! The Enchantments are an absolutely amazing alpine wonderland located in central Washington state. Where is the Enchantments hike? The peaks look like a child drew them; all fairy tale jags and triangles." This is a helpful article as I plan my permit asks and hopeful my hike. 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. However, weve seen young children complete it, so it could make a great family excursion! That is awesome! As you proceed down the trail, the next and final lake of the Enchantments is Lake Viviane. You can either try to get a walk up permit (covered above) or day hike it (covered below). In addition to physical preparation, an understanding of wilderness travel and first aid will greatly improve your trip if anything goes wrong. Early Summer While hiking in June still requires a permit, you run the risk of the trail being heavily covered in snow. And after you eat dinner, make sure to go grab some ice cream from Whistlepunk! Positive Elev. As the trail winds through the lakes surrounded by lichen-covered rocks beneath the rugged mountain peaks, you will find more campsites. Day-to-day, the weather can be unpredictable. It is never acceptable to clean pots by submerging them in a natural body of water. Bring rain entertainmentOne of the best things we did was download Netflix and books in case it rained. Instead of backpacking, wed love to try day hiking it next time. Drop one off at the hikes endpoint, then drive everyone to the starting point. Enchantments Hike Specs: Length: 23.6 mi Elevation gain: 5,003 ft Route type: Point to point Depending on your fitness and availability, the time for hiking the Enchantments trail varies. Backpacking the Enchantments is a very strenuous trip that (with the proper training!) 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. Everything you bring in needs to be taken out this includes trash, fruit peels, etc. 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. Whitney in CA as a day hike. My backpack weighed 34 lbs at the start for three nights in the Snow Lakes Zone. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 12 h 12 min to complete. Comment below if you have questions about hiking the Enchantments in Washington state and well do our best to get back to you! The miles of steep, rocky terrain are relentless and because youre at high elevation, you often have to combat Mother Nature, too. The best strategy is to keep your distance as much as possible. I did the hike September 9th-11th, for reference. But similar to Eightmile/Caroline, this permit is much easier to get! Even if you do, you cannot take a 2 year old up Asgard Pass. All rights reserved. Having said that, dont let the challenge dissuade you! 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. We hope this blog post helped give you some more information to help plan your trip to the Enchantments! We have a 22 B+ van. 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. Mile 11: The shores of the Snow Lakes are the last large group of campsites. 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. It would be reasonable to plan up to 12 hours plus drive time if you want to take. Four of us applied together and each put the same dates, zones, etc. Another option is tapping into local hiking groups. 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. 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. Christie is Yvonnes friend, who I had met before, and happened to enter the lottery the day before it closed. 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. The Enchantments is a classic Washington hike. With a large b, Our FAVORITE things we did in Mrida, Mexico! The Enchantments are not named as such for naught - they have some of the most spectacular alpine scenery in the country. Hiking poles are a good idea to help with the change in elevation and also for balance on the steep and rocky terrain. The sights are spectacular, with views of surrounding peaks and Colchuck Lake dwarfed into a gleaming blue jewel far below. For most hikers, this is the hardest day hike they've ever done. "I can see why it's called the Enchantments. Hiking The Enchantments in Washington . document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy Cookie Policy, 2021 Adventures of A+K. The best times to hike in the Enchantments are lake summer and early fall. En route, youll spot the craggy peaks of the Enchantments without a thigh-burning climb. Once you finish hiking, you can use the vehicle at the end to go back and retrieve the other one. The setting is picture-perfect; however, hiking here in just one day from Stuart Lake is challenging. On a four day backpacking trip you can take day trips from camp to explore over a dozen crystal clear lakes, summit surrounding peaks, and camp at an alpine lake of your choice! I had done no training barring weekly hikes in LA and it took me 20 hours to complete it. Sounds like you know what you're doing - it will be an adventure. Not sure where to start? Youll share the first part of the trail into the Enchantments with many fellow hikers since its one of the best (and closest!) Maybe you'll get lucky and have good weather. The Enchantment Lakes are an alpine wonderland of pristine lakes set among polished granite, soaring peaks, blazing larches, and ambling mountain goats. 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. 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. This means that you will start at one trailhead and end your hike at another, without retracing your steps. September 8, 2016. Overview. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hello there! Spread out over a few days, its incredibly rewarding, with once-in-a-lifetime views and experience to match your efforts. Sign up to get travel updates, guides, vlogs, and other resources delivered straight to your inbox once a month! 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. The mountain goats in particular are habituated to visitors. No matter what route you take, how many days you have, or if you get a sunny day or a cloudy day, the Enchantments truly are a magical place and 100% worth the permit headaches to visit in whatever capacity you can. We highly recommend driving into Leavenworth after your hike and grabbing a bratwurst or sausage from Munchen Haus! However, camping and hiking in the Enchantments is well worth all the effort! Unfortunately, weve missed out on all our other attempts at the lottery (some locals joke that the lottery is their annual donation). When you are being approached by faster hikers from behind, it is also courtesy to let them pass. In this guide, well share how to best experience hiking the Enchantments, whether on a day trip or as a multi-day camping experience. 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. Most backpackers choose to visit during this window. We would love to do this hike again in the future, however, we think we would do it a bit differently. 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. The Enchantments don't come easy. These campsites are located along the shoreline and provide excellent views of the brilliantly blue lake. Although this is difficult, many people prefer this option to hiking the other direction, which involves a much longer strenuous uphill section of trail. The challenging 20-mile trail requires advanced planning, so weve broken it down in a comprehensive hiking guide. We will only ever recommend products we truly love, actually use during our adventures, and think you can benefit from too! If you click through a link on Small Town Washington, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. 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 What awaits visitors: -Nearby Bavarian-styled village -High alpine lakes carved in granite -Curious mountain goats and their kids -Dramatic peaks -Golden larches come fall Obviously, for this, you will need two drivers in your party and two cars! 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. A rainy day at Rune Lake (Perfection Lake) in September. I'm a decent hiker but some of the bouldering is more . 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. The Enchantments is a collection of alpine lakes nestled amongst tall granite peaks and spires in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness in Washington. When: Do it between late July and early September. Were glad this helps! Hiker from Olympia The trail The Enchantments trail consists of the Stuart Lake Trail, Colchuck Lake Trail and Snow Lakes Trail. 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. Hiking the Enchantments means your jaw will drop at every turn. Although it may look too formidable to even attempt, the beautiful craggy peak behind Colchuck Lake is where the Enchantments hike continues. But we couldnt miss the opportunity to go, so we committed to the permits and figured we would make it all work. . At this time, applicants must choose an exit date and provide payment for the permits. ), most of the high alpine terrain is still covered in snow and the lakes are frozen. A permit for the Core Enchantment zone allows overnight stays within any of the zones, making it the best choice for a hike through the Enchantments. If you spend any time in Washington, it won't take long to hear about the Enchantments. As an Airbnb Associate, we may earn a commission when you book through our links, at no extra cost to you. Just beyond Aasgard Pass, the area known as the Core Enchantments Zone offers otherworldly views completely different from the forest below. Turn left onto Icicle Creek Road. 10 weeks to prepare. In late spring to early summer, the Enchantments core basin is still snow-covered. Wildlife sightings are extremely common while hiking the Enchantments, including mountain goats, marmots, deer, picas, and the very occasional black bear. How long does it take to hike the Enchantments trail? Adam, Kathryn, & Kona This area is called Aasgard Pass, and it's a lung-straining 2,000-ft climb in just under a mile. 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. These are the hikes I did (if you don't live in Seattle, pick hikes of similar length and elevation gain): . 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. Top 10 Hiking 100 Classic Hikes: Washington, 3rd Ed. $18.95 Alpine Lakes East Stuart Range, WA No. With a daypack, the scrambling isnt too bad (I hate rock scrambling and didnt cry! This was our base camp from where we would climb the steep Crystal Creek valley and . Almost immediately beyond the lake, the trail becomes littered with large boulders and scree, making a bit of route-finding a sudden necessity. Clothing itemsLayers are a great idea any time of the year while hiking the Enchantments. Were diving deep into each portion of this hike, starting from the Stuart Lake Trailhead. I did this as a thru hike in September, the trail was harder than I anticipated. In February I put in the permit application for the enchantments as I heard everyone talking about it. Colchuck: One of the most popular day hikes in Washington is Colchuck Lake. 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. This is actually the highest elevation point on the entire trail, so from here, the rest of the hike is mostly downhill. Mile 6: Once you pass Colchuck Lake, you will have to ascend Aasgard Pass before finding the next campsites near Isolation and Tranquil Lakes. External chargerThis is a must for a multi-day backpacking trip! Ive done this as a thru hike, ending at snow lake TH, taking about 14hrs total. 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. Some particularly adventurous skiers and snowshoers attempt the trail during the winter, but thats only advised for very experienced winter sports enthusiasts. : 5814 ft. The Enchantments hike is most commonly completed as a one-way thru-hike since the hike is long and the terrain can be difficult. Heres a quick rundown of each one! Dont worry, not all hope is lost. October 11, 2021. There are five total regions: Eightmile/Caroline, Stuart, Colchuck, Core, and Snow. The trail through the Enchantments is 18 miles, one-way, with additional side trails to explore the surrounding lakes. Your email address will not be published. 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. Go Wander Wild are participants in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. 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. Hi yall! 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. 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. 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. The Enchantments is a slice of hiking paradise. To apply, you will need to choose an entry date, group size, permit zone, assign an alternate group leader, and pay the application fee. Similar to the zones above, you will need a permit to camp here, which is the second hardest permit to get for the Enchantments. 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. 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! 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 . To day hike in the Enchantments, only a NW Forest Pass is needed. The maximum group size is 8 people. Note to everyone: Aasgard Pass is a misnomer. Interestingly (and weirdly), many wild animals are attracted to the salts in urine and actually seek it out. 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. The smaller creatures in the Enchantments marmots, pikas, marten, squirrels are used to finding human food around backpacks and tents. Talk about timing! 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