One thing thats good to know is that we saw a lot of different mileage reports for this hike. In early September, Mrs. 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 Enchantments are one of the most enchanting (sorry, we had to!) day hikes near Leavenworth. While some people spend up to five days on the trail, we think 2-3 days in the Enchantments is the sweet spot a long weekend escape thats easy to plan and pack for. 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. 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. Mile 9: The next major group of campsites are located between Leprechaun Lake and Lake Viviane. However, obtaining wilderness permits has become increasingly competitive in recent years, which throws in another logistical obstacle. Near the Bavarian town of Leavenworth (but hidden from sight), The Enchantments loom. 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! Join. The best times to hike in the Enchantments are lake summer and early fall. There are five total regions: Eightmile/Caroline, Stuart, Colchuck, Core, and Snow. Dont be fooled that you are reaching the end here, even though you are leaving the lake basin! Here is a rundown of the mileage for different portions of the hike, directly from the Forest Service. Mountain goats are the most prevalent wildlife youll encounter. Many consider it one of the most beautiful areas of the state. Although it may look too formidable to even attempt, the beautiful craggy peak behind Colchuck Lake is where the Enchantments hike continues. The permit season for the Enchantments is between May 15 and October 31. : 7982 ft. Max Elev. To day hike in the Enchantments, only a NW Forest Pass is needed. The Enchantments is a region in Washington, just 15 miles southwest of Leavenworth, a super cute Bavarian village town. Bring rain entertainmentOne of the best things we did was download Netflix and books in case it rained. Although this is difficult, many people prefer this option to hiking the other direction, which involves a much longer strenuous uphill section of trail. Second, waste management in the Enchantments is difficult since the area receives a high amount of use. We camped probably 1 mile from where you start the hike to the Core from the Snow Lakes area. $18.95 Alpine Lakes East Stuart Range, WA No. A rainy day at Rune Lake (Perfection Lake) in September. They only give out one permit per zone per day, with up to 8 people per permit. The parking lots have very limited parking even with these designated spots, so it is a good idea to arrive as early as possible. Good mealsAfter a long day of hiking, there is nothing better than a hot meal. 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. YouTube, Travel Guides, Gear, & FAQs. 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! https://linktr.ee/kraig00:00 Hiking Aasgard Pass in the Enchantments4:29 Leavenworth Bavarian Village5:46 Hiking Guide and Behind the Scenes Was the road to Stuart Lake Trailhead scary or just extremely bumpy? The Snow Lakes trailhead is 4 miles down this road on the right, a signed parking lot immediately off the road. The ideal time to hike the Enchantments trail for warm and dry weather is late July and August. Understandably, the trail gets busy and snagging an overnight permit is extremely tough. 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. Insider tip: Since these campsites are outside the Core Enchantment zone, theyre easier to obtain and open to groups, rather than just individuals. 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?)! For most hikers, this is the hardest day hike they've ever done. My favorite waterfall's still in its winter coat. Those on the longer end tend to linger longer at the lakes. Day 4: Hike out through Snow Lake. The Enchantments are an absolutely amazing alpine wonderland located in central Washington state. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Dont worry, not all hope is lost. Are you planning on carrying them the entire way? And to watch our experience, check out our vlog below! Positive Elev. The challenging 20-mile trail requires advanced planning, so weve broken it down in a comprehensive hiking guide. Top 10 Hiking 100 Classic Hikes: Washington, 3rd Ed. Looking up from Leprechaun Lake: My dad: If you have more time, there is plenty to enjoy and explore, and shorter hiking days will provide more time to relax at camp by the lakes. While most of the trail isn't very technically challenging, it's brutal in that it's very long and steep. Its a bit of a pain to carry, but worth it to avoid any mishaps with wildlife. 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 They are pit toilets, but its good for a last minute bathroom break before hitting the trail! While we did not get lucky, that method will increase your chances. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 12 h 12 min to complete. October 11, 2021. It is one of our favorite Washington memories and we cannot wait to experience it again someday! Try this 20.5-mile point-to-point trail near Leavenworth, Washington. Its not scary, but you will need to go slow. En route, youll spot the craggy peaks of the Enchantments without a thigh-burning climb. This campsite location puts you in a great position to finish the hike the next day and return home. Note to everyone: Aasgard Pass is a misnomer. Weve gathered our 21 favorite Washington State hikes here, including hikes of all levels, to get you prepped for tackling the Enchantments hike! This is what we planned to do, but Mother Nature had other ideas. Uphill hikers always have the right-of way, and downhill hikers who see approaching hikers should find a suitable spot to let the uphill hikers pass. Before embarking on your adventure, please review theLeave No Trace principlesto ensure you leave every place better than you found it, so that others can enjoy these beautiful places for many years to come!These seven principles include planning ahead and preparing, hiking and camping on durable surfaces, disposing of waste properly (pack out what you pack in! How long does it take to hike the Enchantments trail? After entering the permit lottery in 2018 and failing to get permits, we didnt feel too confident going into the 2019 lottery. Some route-finding is also necessary, as the hike becomes more of a boulder scramble with hands and feet required for balance. If you are cooking in the alpine, research proper techniques for cleaning pots and pans. Were glad this helps! Rating. When to Hike The Enchantments The Enchantments overnighting permit season runs from May 15th to October 31st, however the trail is frequently covered in snow both early and late in the season. Almost immediately beyond the lake, the trail becomes littered with large boulders and scree, making a bit of route-finding a sudden necessity. 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. Your email address will not be published. Note: in 2019 they reduced the number of permits due to wildfire damage. Something we wish we had brought were waterproof pants. Core: The most popular (and coveted) area is the Core zone, which is where the majority of the lakes reside. They headed up to Lake Stewart and up to Asgard Pass. 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. Heres a quick rundown of each one! 208SX by Green Trails Maps . 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. All rights reserved. And do it on a hot daya record-breaking hot day is even better. With FOOD! It is a great option if you have been to Colchuck Lake before and hate the idea of Aasgard Pass! The peaks look like a child drew them; all fairy tale jags and triangles." The setting is picture-perfect; however, hiking here in just one day from Stuart Lake is challenging. Perfect for swimming and relaxing, the lake is accessed via a steady climb, mostly through shady forest. Some random moments from our two weeks in Mrida! And after you eat dinner, make sure to go grab some ice cream from Whistlepunk! This way, youll knock out most of the elevation gain in the first quarter of the hike. The Stuart/Colchuck Lake trailhead is down a VERY rough forested road. Thanks for the ideas! 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. Here's her trip in photos. 25. r/hiking. Hiking the Enchantments means your jaw will drop at every turn. Camping spots are limited, but when possible, put your tent up away from other tents to give other campers privacy. If you are not comfortable rock scrambling, this hike may not be the best fit for you. The trail crosses over a wooden bridge at this point, marking the end of the Enchantment Lakes basin. But we couldnt miss the opportunity to go, so we committed to the permits and figured we would make it all work. 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. However, dont count on this as a guarantee it is far better to try to secure an Enchantments permit in advance. The Enchantments live up to the hype and dazzle hikers willing to overcome the elevation gain needed to visit this high alpine paradise. However, camping and hiking in the Enchantments is well worth all the effort! 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. 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. After you finish your hike, its time to celebrate! While youll have no cell phone service, being able to charge your phone to take photos, look at a map, etc is crucial. This trail winds through a beautiful wilderness area that many other hikes enjoy. The summer temperatures drop (it occasionally reaches a scorching 100 degrees in July and August!) Each campsite listed has a wilderness toilet for your use and to preserve the natural beauty of the area. In late spring to early summer, the Enchantments core basin is still snow-covered. It would be reasonable to plan up to 12 hours plus drive time if you want to take. Talk about timing! 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. Check out our 37 favorite hikes in Washington! Enter: Christie, our Enchantments savior. And she got permits! Another option is tapping into local hiking groups. These campsites provide excellent views of Little Annapurna, one of the tallest peaks along the trail, and an opportunity for a scrambling side-trip if you are feeling adventurous. 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 Enchantments is a classic Washington hike. We are big fans of Wild Zora backpacking meals, especially the beef ones, as they are super natural and healthy. Toilet paper must be disposed of properly! Note: We did not visit all of these spots due to timing, but we wanted to! Enchantments Backpacking Trip. Colchuck Lake: Stuart Lake Trailhead to first view of the lake4.2 miles (one way)2,200 ft elevation gain. Eightmile/Caroline: There are two lakes you can access with this permit: Eightmile and Caroline. Here are some of these hiking courtesies that help improve everyones trip. 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