These sites are perfect if you have two nights on the trail or if you get a late start the first day. You may also be able to snag a spot later in the evening when day hikers are leaving. 208SX by Green Trails Maps . This means that you will start at one trailhead and end your hike at another, without retracing your steps. 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. We got passed by a lot of people haha. If youre hiking the Enchantments by yourself or dont have two vehicles, there are other options. Clothing itemsLayers are a great idea any time of the year while hiking the Enchantments. 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. The summer temperatures drop (it occasionally reaches a scorching 100 degrees in July and August!) Plus, Stuart Lake is a couple thousand feet higher than Snow Lakes, so your total elevation gain is lower! Up is easier than down, especially at the beginning of a long hike! Located in Central Washington near the small town of Leavenworth, this piece of the Cascade Mountain range is as spectacular as the name implies. 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. Thankfully Christie applied and was able to bring us along! Looking up from Leprechaun Lake: My dad: 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. 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. We were so thankful we brought layers as we froze during the hike. Hiking with music can be fun but it is good practice to use headphones so that other hikers dont have to listen to it. Permits and permit information is available on the Recreation.gov Portal. However, there is no easy way to get there. The Stuart/Colchuck Lake trailhead is down a VERY rough forested road. Widely regarded as the crown jewel of hiking in Washington, this trail exceeds even the wildest of superlatives. To day hike in the Enchantments, only a NW Forest Pass is needed. 4.73 out of 5. There are numerous epic campsites along the trail; however, where you can camp overnight depends strictly on the permit you receive. 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. 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. But the best partshe got six permits, which meant that Yvonne, Jeffrey, Adam, and myself could all go with her and her boyfriend Jackson! : 5814 ft. 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! We couldnt get enough of this section, and highly recommend it as the best for camping! Ensure you know the correct routes and have the gear to keep you safe. The trail steadily climbs through dense forest, with increasingly picturesque views of the valley below. 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. Want to discover more trails in Washington? And after you eat dinner, make sure to go grab some ice cream from Whistlepunk! It is one of our favorite Washington memories and we cannot wait to experience it again someday! Your email address will not be published. However, space on the shuttles is limited and they dont always operate on weekdays, so its best to book well in advance. As an Amazon Associate, Small Town Washington earns from qualifying purchases. What this means is that you have to obtain a permit in the lottery (or in the other methods we cover below) to stay overnight during those dates. 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. Join. 25. r/hiking. Day 4: Hike out through Colchuck. This is actually the highest elevation point on the entire trail, so from here, the rest of the hike is mostly downhill. The elevation gain and loss are large, meaning that you will be working hard at most points during your hike. Another good spot to check out is Yodelin. 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. Soon, the forest reappears and its a foot-battering descent down to the Snow Lake trailhead. You can apply for permits during the second half of February through Recreation.gov, and winners are drawn, lottery-style, in early March. In this video, we provide a complete day hiking guide so you can complete the. The challenging 20-mile trail requires advanced planning, so weve broken it down in a comprehensive hiking guide. Through-hiking the Enchantments in one day will challenge and reward you, but it's not for everyone. 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. 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. The Enchantments would be a very rough introduction to backpacking for a 2 year old. Most people prefer to backpack in the Enchantments during the summer months, to enjoy the clear blue lakes and granite rocks. We coordinated with two friends (Yvonne and Jeffrey) on the dates we wanted, zones we wanted to apply for, and other logistics. It'll vary depending on how many breaks are taken for how long and if you can trail-run parts of it. 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. Although bears are not commonly sighted, they are present in the area and may also try to get into food. Mile 13.5: If you prefer to travel a litter further on your final day, a few campsites are located near Nada Lake. 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. Where is the Enchantments hike? will reward you with views of a lifetime. When is the best season to go? Some random moments from our two weeks in Mrida! Many consider it one of the most beautiful areas of the state. Enter: Christie, our Enchantments savior. The most challenging section of the trail is between Colchuck Lake and the Core Enchantment Zone. living on the road in ourself-converted sprinter van! Having said that, dont let the challenge dissuade you! The maximum group size is 8 people. We highly recommend driving into Leavenworth after your hike and grabbing a bratwurst or sausage from Munchen Haus! 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. Just beyond Aasgard Pass, the area known as the Core Enchantments Zone offers otherworldly views completely different from the forest below. Instead of backpacking, wed love to try day hiking it next time. A rainy day at Rune Lake (Perfection Lake) in September. The Enchantments is a region in Washington, just 15 miles southwest of Leavenworth, a super cute Bavarian village town. Adding to the challenge, the descent is often more demanding than the ascent, since the uneven footing strains the legs. Didnt get a permit? These campsites are located after the beginning of the steepest descent on the trail, a great Enchantments camping location to rest your knees for the continued descent during the next day. Were talking beautiful wilderness full of clear alpine lakes, granite rocks, and vistas of sharp peaks. October 11, 2021. 19K views 1 year ago THE ENCHANTMENTS The Enchantments Hike is the most beautiful hike in all of Washington. 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. Permits: 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. These days experience the least precipitation and are most likely to have clear skies and warm days. The trail through the Enchantments is also very rocky and uneven, further increasing the difficulty of the hike. Prusik Peak over Lake Viviane. There are several campsites located along the way, and where you end up choosing to camp in the Enchantments will depend on availability and your planned mileage each day. Very brutal.. 15 Best Hikes in North Cascades National Park, 11 Best Waterfalls in Washington State + Hikes to Find Them, How to Get From Seattle to Bainbridge Island (By Ferry or Road Trip! YouTube, Travel Guides, Gear, & FAQs. https://linktr.ee/kraig00:00 Hiking Aasgard Pass in the Enchantments4:29 Leavenworth Bavarian Village5:46 Hiking Guide and Behind the Scenes This will give you time to cool off and avoid hiking in the heat of the day. And any other tips on some good campsites? But we couldnt miss the opportunity to go, so we committed to the permits and figured we would make it all work. Early Summer While hiking in June still requires a permit, you run the risk of the trail being heavily covered in snow. 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. The abundance of granite-carved lakes in the Enchantments makes the area a wonderful spot to explore at a leisurely pace. Bring rain entertainmentOne of the best things we did was download Netflix and books in case it rained. Always maintain a very safe distance from wildlife, and take care of your business well away from the trail and campsites! How long does it take to hike the Enchantments trail? Near the Bavarian town of Leavenworth (but hidden from sight), The Enchantments loom. In this guide, well share how to best experience hiking the Enchantments, whether on a day trip or as a multi-day camping experience. Are you planning on carrying them the entire way? As the trail winds through the lakes surrounded by lichen-covered rocks beneath the rugged mountain peaks, you will find more campsites. The miles of steep, rocky terrain are relentless and because youre at high elevation, you often have to combat Mother Nature, too. The permits for the Enchantments area are divided into zones. Here's her trip in photos. Good mealsAfter a long day of hiking, there is nothing better than a hot meal. 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. 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. Camping here is best on two-night backpacking trips. Our first time, we were lucky enough to score camping permits and spend a few amazing days in this slice of paradise. We had to use our hands for balance as we slooowly clambered up what seemed like a near-vertical route. First, there is an accepted right-of way when hiking on a trail. I read a review that said it was really steep. If you are not comfortable rock scrambling, this hike may not be the best fit for you. Dates: September 2nd- 5th 2016 Location: Leavenworth, Washington. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy Cookie Policy, 2021 Adventures of A+K. However, camping and hiking in the Enchantments is well worth all the effort! 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. 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. 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!) ), but we made it down the road in one piece. This area is called Aasgard Pass, and it's a lung-straining 2,000-ft climb in just under a mile. Some particularly adventurous skiers and snowshoers attempt the trail during the winter, but thats only advised for very experienced winter sports enthusiasts. Our friends also brought water treatment liquid that worked great too! Mar 18, 2012 at 6:00 pm #1855705. 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. There are usually more people present than permits, so they have to draw names, which occurs at 7:45 AM. THE ENCHANTMENTS TRAIL BREAKDOWN. Note to everyone: Aasgard Pass is a misnomer. The Alpine Lakes Wilderness named "The Enchantments" draws explorers from all over the world. Sign up to get travel updates, guides, vlogs, and other resources delivered straight to your inbox once a month! 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. 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. hiking the Enchantments, WA. But where do you start? "I can see why it's called the Enchantments. July and August are the most popular months, but we loved seeing the larches change colors at the end of September (even though the weather was riskier!). Unfortunately, weve missed out on all our other attempts at the lottery (some locals joke that the lottery is their annual donation). 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 first frost usually comes in mid-October. This way, youll knock out most of the elevation gain in the first quarter of the hike. 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). The route is described below beginning at the Stuart Lake Trailhead. 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. Negative Elev. However, you obviously cant rely on or plan around hitch-hiking and not everyone is comfortable with it. Its a bit of a pain to carry, but worth it to avoid any mishaps with wildlife. If you use the links provided and make a purchase, we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Required fields are marked *. 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. Although it may look too formidable to even attempt, the beautiful craggy peak behind Colchuck Lake is where the Enchantments hike continues. Youll share the first part of the trail into the Enchantments with many fellow hikers since its one of the best (and closest!) 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. Positive Elev. See some of our recommended stops below! Some links in this post may be affiliate links. Enchantment Area Wilderness Permits The rugged and beautiful Enchantment Permit Area is contained within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness in the Cascade Mountains of Washington State. Try this 20.5-mile point-to-point trail near Leavenworth, Washington. The hope for most is that dry sunny weather will coincide with whatever dates the luck of the draw has bestowed on them. I did this as a thru hike in September, the trail was harder than I anticipated. The weather in the mountains can change quickly, so always bring a rainjacket just in case! 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. 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. But similar to Eightmile/Caroline, this permit is much easier to get! Starting at Stuart / Colchuck Lake trailhead means you climb 4,549 ft and descend 6,688 ft. You can also find information on AllTrails (Colchuck Lake, the Enchantments). 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. The way I prepared for the Enchantments was to hike twice a week for about two months. 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! Check out our the enchantments hiking selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. Wildlife in the area is accustomed to visitors, making it easy to get good pictures of any you spot during your trip. 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. Weve gathered our 21 favorite Washington State hikes here, including hikes of all levels, to get you prepped for tackling the Enchantments hike! Last year, I did the hike up to the summit of Mt. If you get lucky, you have until March 31 to accept your permit, otherwise those do become available to the public. 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. There are five permit zones: Core Enchantment, Snow Lake, Colchuck Lake, Stuart Lake, and the Eightmile/Caroline zone. There is little if any cell service available on this trail, and emergency help is far away. Although its only 4.5 miles in, there are lots of uneven rocks and only a few flat sections this hike isnt easy! And do it on a hot daya record-breaking hot day is even better. More than a dozen high alpine lakes carved in granite. McClellan Peak, Little Annapurna, Dragontail Peak, and Pusik Pass are all accessible from the Core. I did the hike September 9th-11th, for reference. Enjoy this walking video tour of the Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail in Redwood National Park in California. a little bit of snow on the trail even in early September The Enchantments are an absolutely amazing alpine wonderland located in central Washington state. A hike through the Enchantments is a very strenuous hike. The trailheads for both are located off Icicle Creek Road. As you approach Leavenworth from the west on Highway 2, you will turn onto Icicle Creek Road on the edge of town. 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. 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! 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. 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. This trail winds through a beautiful wilderness area that many other hikes enjoy. The sights are spectacular, with views of surrounding peaks and Colchuck Lake dwarfed into a gleaming blue jewel far below. Its also important to note theres a lot to consider before hiking the Enchantments. We bought a new water filter for the trip and the water filtered super fastit was amazing! Redwood National Park California. ! Viewing 13 posts - 1 through 13 (of 13 total) Jun 24, 2014 at 7:44 am #1318302. You cant go wrong with overnighting at any of the five lakes; theyre all stunning! Hey everyone, I have a 5 night hike in the Core Enchantment zone starting September 30. Hiking the Enchantments is one of the most memorable PNW experiences. This is the most recent attempt to mitigate the parking shortage at the trailheads. As you proceed down the trail, the next and final lake of the Enchantments is Lake Viviane. Bonus: during the tail end of the month and into October, the foliage turns to a beautiful vibrant yellow-orange! Top 10 Hiking 100 Classic Hikes: Washington, 3rd Ed. All Rights Reserved. The elevation gain and loss are large, meaning that you will be working hard at most points during your hike. Although its rare for them to be aggressive, weve heard of instances where mother goats have attacked hikers trying to protect their kids. And it's tough getting there. 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. This is what we planned to do, but Mother Nature had other ideas. But one of the places that would undoubtedly make the list is The Enchantments Wilderness Area. : 7835 ft. Min. Ambitious day hikers will be richly rewarded for tackling all 20 miles in a day. Camping spots are limited, but when possible, put your tent up away from other tents to give other campers privacy. Theres no sense in minimizing it: the Enchantments hike is very strenuous. Backpacking the Enchantments is a very strenuous trip that (with the proper training!) 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. : 7982 ft. Max Elev. 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