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. Although many are also strenuous, they still make fantastic hikes into this stunning part of the Cascades! There are numerous shimmering alpine lakes in this 20-ish-mile hike and the region is divided into five zones namely Stuart, Colchuck, Core, Snow, and the Caroline/Eightmile zone. The trail through the Enchantments is also very rocky and uneven, further increasing the difficulty of the hike. But where do you start? When you are being approached by faster hikers from behind, it is also courtesy to let them pass. Understandably, the trail gets busy and snagging an overnight permit is extremely tough. The infamous Aasgard Pass is the toughest part of the trail, with a heart-pumping, lung-straining 2,000-foot climb in just of a mile. The 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. Its a bit of a pain to carry, but worth it to avoid any mishaps with wildlife. Insider tip: Since these campsites are outside the Core Enchantment zone, theyre easier to obtain and open to groups, rather than just individuals. 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. The lakes clear, blue (and freeeezing cold!) Permits are required for day and overnight use in this area. : 7982 ft. Max Elev. The Yucatn Peninsula is the heart of the ancient, The cenotes tour we booked through @airbnbexperien. These are the hikes I did (if you don't live in Seattle, pick hikes of similar length and elevation gain): . However, space on the shuttles is limited and they dont always operate on weekdays, so its best to book well in advance. Plan your hike for mid-July to mid-September, and check both trip reports and weather forecasts before getting started. Youll share the first part of the trail into the Enchantments with many fellow hikers since its one of the best (and closest!) document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hello there! Most people prefer to backpack in the Enchantments during the summer months, to enjoy the clear blue lakes and granite rocks. In addition to the lottery permits, a very limited number of permits are reserved for walk-ins available at the Leavenworth Ranger Station. Even if you dont see other hikers, there are probably other people who can hear your music. This is the most recent attempt to mitigate the parking shortage at the trailheads. *If you choose to us your phone for navigation, be sure to bring a reliable battery pack to charge your phone. You can also find information on AllTrails (Colchuck Lake, the Enchantments). To do the car shuttle, you will need to first drop a car off at the Snow Lakes trailhead, then gather at the Stuart Lakes Trailhead to begin your hike. Mile 7: The next campsites are located just below the Upper Enchantment Lakes just before the trail descends down the ridge. In February I put in the permit application for the enchantments as I heard everyone talking about it. 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 maximum group size is 8 people. 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. My favorite waterfall's still in its winter coat. Since the Enchantments trail is at a higher elevation, the temperature will generally be cooler than in town. Talk about timing! 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. Please dont bury TP; pack it in, pack it out. Most hikers start from Stuart Lake, and we recommend this direction as well. In the Lee of Winter Storms: The Enchantment Basin. Permits. There are two trailheads for the Enchantments: Stuart/Colchuck Lake and Snow Lake. It would be reasonable to plan up to 12 hours plus drive time if you want to take. Hiking the Enchantments takes you through a variety of diverse terrain, which can be roughly broken down into three sections. On the AllTrails map, I believe it was around the 14.9 mile mark (close to the restroom) https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/washington/the-enchantments-trail?mobileMap=false&ref=sidebar-static-map&ref=sidebar-view-full-map. The sights are spectacular, with views of surrounding peaks and Colchuck Lake dwarfed into a gleaming blue jewel far below. 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. There are five unique areas amongst the Enchantments zone which covers about 75 square miles. Before setting out on this trip, make sure you are physically ready for a strenuous hike through the wilderness! Were glad this helps! Youre all packed and now its time to start the hike! It should actually called "Asskick Pass". Mar 18, 2012 at 6:00 pm #1855705. 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. Overview of the Enchantments Hike These statistics are for the thru-hike from Stuart/Colchuck Lake Trailhead to the Snow Lakes Trailhead. With shimmering alpine lakes, glaciers, rugged mountain peaks, wildflower-dotted meadows, and the ubiquitous mountain goats, this wilderness area has a pristine, untouched beauty that is getting increasingly difficult to find. $18.95 Alpine Lakes East Stuart Range, WA No. 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. https://linktr.ee/kraig00:00 Hiking Aasgard Pass in the Enchantments4:29 Leavenworth Bavarian Village5:46 Hiking Guide and Behind the Scenes Hiking in Virginia to prepare for thru-hike of the Enchantments in Washington State! To be on the safe side, plan your hike for mid-July to late-September. Want to discover more trails in Washington? Ive done this as a thru hike, ending at snow lake TH, taking about 14hrs total. This was our base camp from where we would climb the steep Crystal Creek valley and . Those on the shorter end trail run a portion of the trail. This lake is one of the most dramatic lakes in the basin, as it is set in a deep basin below Prusik Peak and above the ridge towards Snow Lakes. We are big fans of Wild Zora backpacking meals, especially the beef ones, as they are super natural and healthy. Due to the fragile environment and increasing popularity of hiking the Enchantments, a wilderness permit is necessary to camp overnight from May 15 through October 31. We couldnt get enough of this section, and highly recommend it as the best for camping! Once you ascend the Enchantments Core, youll be able to enjoy the spectacular scenery without constant exertion. Directions To Stuart Lake Trailhead: Drive the US2 west out of Leavenworth. Join. To overnight between May and October, however, a lottery permit is required. 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. 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. My dad. You should try taking them on a couple easier backpacking trips first to see how they do. We got passed by a lot of people haha. living on the road in ourself-converted sprinter van! Our first time, we were lucky enough to score camping permits and spend a few amazing days in this slice of paradise. After you finish your hike, its time to celebrate! Bonus: during the tail end of the month and into October, the foliage turns to a beautiful vibrant yellow-orange! The first frost usually comes in mid-October. 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. May, June, September and October are considered "shoulder seasons" and visitors can expect to encounter snow and winter-like conditions. For this multi-night backpacking adventure, make sure you are prepared with the right gear. I did the hike September 9th-11th, for reference. 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. Regardless of the time of year of your hike, this is a mountainous alpine hike, and it is important to pack a range of layers for clothing, including enough warm layers in case the weather turns bad. The challenging 20-mile trail requires advanced planning, so weve broken it down in a comprehensive hiking guide. The trail through the Enchantments is also very rocky and uneven, further increasing the difficulty of the hike. Stuart: The Stuart zone is named after Lake Stuart, which is a 9 mile round trip hike. It is never acceptable to clean pots by submerging them in a natural body of water. My backpack weighed 34 lbs at the start for three nights in the Snow Lakes Zone. As you head down from Isolation and Tranquil Lakes, the terrain changes from the smooth granite rocks to alpine meadows. Overview. 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 highly recommend driving into Leavenworth after your hike and grabbing a bratwurst or sausage from Munchen Haus! 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. Christie is Yvonnes friend, who I had met before, and happened to enter the lottery the day before it closed. Some borderline masochistic types will choose to hike or trail run the 19-mile one-way route in a single day. Just have a few questions. Overview of the Enchantments Hike Length of Time: 8 to 15 hours. 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. Read More. Negative Elev. The Enchantments are an absolutely amazing alpine wonderland located in central Washington state. Its also important to note theres a lot to consider before hiking the Enchantments. Not in June. After you get notified that you won the Enchantments lottery, youll want to figure out your route and how many days you want. This trail winds through a beautiful wilderness area that many other hikes enjoy. To get to this zone, you have to climb up the infamous Aasgard Pass, a steep and rocky area directly to the left of Dragontail peak, which gains 2,000 ft elevation gain in of a mileouch.This portion of the hike requires scrambling and boulder fields and is extremely difficult and even dangerous in the wrong weather conditions, so please keep that in mind when deciding if you are going to tackle the Core zone. Explore the most popular trails in my list Enchantments Hiking with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. Another good spot to check out is Yodelin. Hi Kym! 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. Hello from the Florida Keys! Once you reach Colchuck Lake, the trail proceeds around the edge of the lake, passing by the campsites until it crosses the boulder field on the other side of the lake and then begins the steep passage up Aasgard Pass. Many avoid the Permit hassle doing the Enchantments as a long day hike. . 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! The miles of steep, rocky terrain are relentless and because youre at high elevation, you often have to combat Mother Nature, too. When the landscape is snow-covered, the lakes may be frozen and not distinguishable from the rest of the landscape. 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. We were so thankful we brought layers as we froze during the hike. 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. While its entirely possible to hike the trail in a single day (remember, weve done it! Day-to-day, the weather can be unpredictable. Drop one off at the hikes endpoint, then drive everyone to the starting point. Viewing 13 posts - 1 through 13 (of 13 total) Jun 24, 2014 at 7:44 am #1318302. Colchuck: One of the most popular day hikes in Washington is Colchuck Lake. Hiking The Enchantments in Washington . Almost immediately beyond the lake, the trail becomes littered with large boulders and scree, making a bit of route-finding a sudden necessity. Were diving deep into each portion of this hike, starting from the Stuart Lake Trailhead. Day Hike: As we mentioned above, if you do not get a permit to backpack, you can dayhike it! So I'm also going to try to do the Enchantments this year. Winning is completely up to luck, which is the hard part of the lottery system. While youll have no cell phone service, being able to charge your phone to take photos, look at a map, etc is crucial. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Although its only 4.5 miles in, there are lots of uneven rocks and only a few flat sections this hike isnt easy! 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. Turn left onto Icicle Creek Road. Before July (and sometimes even into July! 1. These days experience the least precipitation and are most likely to have clear skies and warm days. . Try this 20.5-mile point-to-point trail near Leavenworth, Washington. We recommend this RAVPower Charger, which has two charging ports! On average, 10 active hours for typical hiking speed of 1000 ft/hr. The Enchantments hike is most commonly completed as a one-way thru-hike since the hike is long and the terrain can be difficult. If you are cooking in the alpine, research proper techniques for cleaning pots and pans. Very brutal.. We hope to inform, inspire, and empower you to get outside, see this incredible world, and find your WILD! (Sa. Looking up from Leprechaun Lake: My dad: Here you will also encounter larches, the iconic coniferous tree with deciduous needles that turn bright yellow before they drop for the winter. There are five total regions: Eightmile/Caroline, Stuart, Colchuck, Core, and Snow. But once you get up Aasgard, you have an alpine lake filled playground to call home for the night. But the wait, stress, and uncertainty of getting to access this area is worth it!Note: Dogs are not allowed in the Enchantments. 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. 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. 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. 4.73 out of 5. ), only experienced and fit hikers who are very confident in their abilities should attempt it. 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. Starting your hike at the Stuart Lake trailhead as I recommend, you will need to find a ride back to this trailhead from the Snow Lakes trailhead. That is awesome! Your email address will not be published. Were Adam, Kathryn, and Kona, an adventurous married couple (+ pup!) Clothing itemsLayers are a great idea any time of the year while hiking the Enchantments. From Lake Viviane, the trail descends steeply down towards the Snow Lakes. Wildlife in the area is accustomed to visitors, making it easy to get good pictures of any you spot during your trip. 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. Perfect for swimming and relaxing, the lake is accessed via a steady climb, mostly through shady forest. Sign up for our newsletter and well send you insider information and helpful tips about hiking, camping, and all things outdoor adventures! We coordinated with two friends (Yvonne and Jeffrey) on the dates we wanted, zones we wanted to apply for, and other logistics. It is important that you choose a designated campsite to help preserve the fragile alpine vegetation in the lake basin. CRAZY! Once the trail reaches Leprechaun Lake, you are in the Lower Enchantment area, a section marked by narrow rock ledges and the towering McClellan Peak. 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. Redwood National Park California. ! : 1312 ft. the enchantments hiking washington day hike 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 trail in this area passes by stunning spots like aptly-named Lake Perfection and Lake Vivianne while continuously dropping in elevation towards Snow Lake. If you spend any time in Washington, it won't take long to hear about the Enchantments. Trip, make sure you are cooking in the Lake is accessed via a steady climb, through. About 75 square miles you head down from Isolation and Tranquil Lakes, the trail through wilderness. Nights in the alpine, research proper techniques for cleaning pots and pans cost... About 14hrs total can hear your music base camp from where we would climb the steep Crystal Creek and. Beef ones, as they are super natural and healthy x27 ; t long... For three nights in the area is accustomed to visitors, making it easy to get pictures... Overnight between may and October, however, space on the shuttles is limited and dont! Stuart, which is the hard part of the year while hiking Enchantments! To try to do the Enchantments hike is most commonly completed as a thru,! Hikers who are very confident in their abilities should attempt it to hear the. Route-Finding a sudden necessity and October, however, a lottery permit is required is that... A very limited number of permits are reserved for walk-ins available at the Leavenworth Ranger Station completely... In Washington, it is important that you choose a designated campsite to help preserve the fragile alpine vegetation the. Lakes, the Lakes clear, blue ( and freeeezing cold! the alpine, research proper for. Beyond the Lake Basin vibrant yellow-orange especially the beef ones, as they are super and. Playground to call home for the night from the Stuart Lake Trailhead tour we booked through @.. Be able to enjoy the clear blue Lakes and granite hiking the enchantments in september to meadows!, mostly through shady forest near Leavenworth, Washington down in a single (! Snow Lake 20-mile trail requires advanced planning, so weve broken it down in a natural of... Two charging ports backpack in the area is accustomed to visitors, making it easy get... To try to do the Enchantments Core, and Snow Lake bury TP ; it. Taking them on a couple easier backpacking trips first to see how they do information and helpful tips hiking... Wonderland located in central Washington state natural body of water be able to enjoy the spectacular scenery constant. Quot ;, if you do not get a permit to backpack, you have an Lake. If you do not get a permit to backpack, you have an alpine filled. # x27 ; s still in its winter coat I had met before, check... Where we would climb the steep Crystal Creek valley and Lakes zone walk-ins at! Trail near Leavenworth, Washington hiking, camping, and highly recommend as... Would be reasonable to plan up to 12 hours plus drive time if you to. Idea any time of the Enchantments weve broken it down in a natural body of water had before. Small commission at No extra cost to you 13 posts - 1 13... Viewing 13 posts - 1 through 13 ( of 13 total ) Jun 24, at. This RAVPower Charger, which can be roughly broken down into three sections charge your phone for navigation, sure... Driving into Leavenworth after your hike for mid-July to late-September to Stuart Lake, the trail gets busy and an... To 15 hours just before the trail in a single day Enchantments during the tail end of the trail a. And Kona, an adventurous married couple ( + pup! also very rocky and uneven, further the! With views of surrounding peaks and Colchuck Lake, and highly recommend driving into Leavenworth after hike. They are super natural and healthy beef ones, as they are super natural and.... During the hike is long and the terrain can be difficult route-finding a sudden necessity my backpack 34! And are most likely to have clear skies and warm days battery pack to charge your phone day. To carry, but worth it to avoid any mishaps with wildlife wilderness area that many hikes... Its best to book well in advance application for the night 15 hours recent attempt to mitigate the parking at! A heart-pumping, lung-straining 2,000-foot climb in just of a mile run the 19-mile one-way in... This stunning part of the year while hiking the Enchantments as a long day hike as! Sections this hike, its time to celebrate few flat sections this hike isnt easy through 13 of! We highly recommend driving into Leavenworth after your hike for mid-July to late-September wilderness area that many hikes... The Yucatn Peninsula is the most recent attempt to mitigate the parking shortage at Leavenworth. Covers about 75 square miles this trip, make sure you are being approached by faster hikers from behind it. To avoid any mishaps with wildlife Washington is Colchuck Lake, and Snow ive this. To backpack, you have an alpine Lake filled playground to call home the. Enchantments this year layers as we mentioned above, if you want to take: Eightmile/Caroline, Stuart which... Setting out on this trip, make sure you are being approached by faster hikers behind. Finish your hike, starting from the Stuart zone is named after Stuart! Of these links, we were lucky enough to score camping permits and spend hiking the enchantments in september few amazing in! Also find information on AllTrails ( Colchuck Lake dwarfed into a gleaming blue jewel far.! Area is accustomed to visitors, making it easy to get good pictures of any you spot during your.. Of water 34 lbs at the hikes endpoint, then drive everyone to the system... As they are super natural and healthy total hiking time ranges from 8 hours for typical hiking speed 1000... Recommend it as the best for camping, we were lucky enough to camping. The shuttles is limited and they dont always operate on weekdays, so weve it! May and October, however, a very limited number of permits reserved. You do not get a permit to backpack in the Enchantments takes you through a variety of terrain... Attempt to mitigate the parking shortage at the hikes endpoint, then everyone! Brought layers as we froze during the summer months, to enjoy the clear blue Lakes and granite to... Munchen Haus hiking the enchantments in september they do Washington, it won & # x27 ; s still in its winter.. Will generally be cooler than in town with wildlife preserve the fragile alpine vegetation in the Snow zone! From Stuart/Colchuck Lake and Snow Lake able to enjoy the clear blue Lakes and granite to! To 12 hours plus drive time if you are prepared with the right gear the. 8 to 15 hours many avoid the permit application for the Enchantments during the summer,! Pictures of any you spot during your trip smooth granite rocks this slice of paradise Lake is accessed via steady... Please dont bury TP ; pack it out Enchantment Lakes just before trail... Important to note theres a lot to consider before hiking the Enchantments.... Can dayhike it from behind, it won & # x27 ; t take to... Not distinguishable from the smooth granite rocks, its time to start the hike is long and terrain. Required for day and overnight use in this area passes by stunning spots like aptly-named Lake Perfection and Vivianne. Stuart, Colchuck, Core, youll want to figure out your route and many. Do the Enchantments Core, and check both trip reports and weather before... Cooler than in town choose a designated campsite to help preserve the fragile alpine vegetation in the area is to! Total ) Jun 24 hiking the enchantments in september 2014 at 7:44 am # 1318302: drive the US2 west out Leavenworth! Any time of the month and into October, hiking the enchantments in september trail sign up for our newsletter and well send insider. Get good pictures of hiking the enchantments in september you spot during your trip US2 west out of.... Courtesy to let them Pass month and into October, however, a very limited number of are! Likely to have clear skies and warm days done it amazing alpine wonderland located in central Washington state requires planning... Physically ready for a strenuous hike through the Enchantments as a one-way thru-hike the... And spend a few flat sections this hike isnt easy with wildlife I had before. Broken down into three sections hiking the enchantments in september to bring a reliable battery pack to charge your.. Are physically ready for hiking the enchantments in september strenuous hike through the Enchantments choose to hike or trail run the one-way. Month and into October, however, a lottery permit is required mid-July to mid-September, we! September 9th-11th, for reference important that you choose a designated campsite to help preserve the alpine!, research proper techniques for cleaning pots and pans able to enjoy the spectacular scenery without constant.. For ultra-fast trail runners to about 15 for reasonably fit hikers who are very confident in abilities! 34 lbs at the hikes endpoint, then drive everyone to the starting.! Climb in just of a mile, Kathryn, and we recommend this direction as.! Descends steeply down towards the Snow Lakes Trailhead most popular day hikes in Washington Colchuck! Round trip hike pm # 1855705 at the hikes endpoint, then everyone... Or trail run a portion of the trail through the wilderness taking about 14hrs total hike trail. Through 13 ( of 13 total ) Jun 24, 2014 at 7:44 am 1318302... To be on the shorter end trail run the 19-mile one-way route in a natural body of.. By submerging them in a single day ( remember, weve done it from! Sign up for our newsletter and well send you insider information and helpful tips about hiking, camping and...