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! We would love to do this hike again in the future, however, we think we would do it a bit differently. Nestled in the Cascade Mountains, the Enchantments is full of alpine lakes, rocky peaks, larches, mountain goats, and incredible views. Almost immediately beyond the lake, the trail becomes littered with large boulders and scree, making a bit of route-finding a sudden necessity. The map below shows the area that make up the Enchantments. So I'm also going to try to do the Enchantments this year. Day 1: Hike to Colchuck Lake and set up campDay 2: Hike up Aasgard Pass and find a good camping spot in the Core. We hope to inform, inspire, and empower you to get outside, see this incredible world, and find your WILD! Even if you dont see other hikers, there are probably other people who can hear your music. Instead of backpacking, wed love to try day hiking it next time. In early September, Mrs. Mile 9: The next major group of campsites are located between Leprechaun Lake and Lake Viviane. The weather can change quickly during your multi-day trip from the original forecast. We have a 22 B+ van. . Matthew H. BPL Member. We hope to inform, inspire, and empower you to get outside and see this world, while doing your part to respect and protect the lands beneath your feet. Overview of the Enchantments Hike Length of Time: 8 to 15 hours. We couldnt get enough of this section, and highly recommend it as the best for camping! Here, just east of Leavenworth in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness and reachable only on foot, are the Enchantments. This is the last Enchantments campsite location on the way out to the end of the trail. 19K views 1 year ago THE ENCHANTMENTS The Enchantments Hike is the most beautiful hike in all of Washington. Weve gathered our 21 favorite Washington State hikes here, including hikes of all levels, to get you prepped for tackling the Enchantments hike! In addition to physical preparation, an understanding of wilderness travel and first aid will greatly improve your trip if anything goes wrong. Mile 8: Just below Inspiration Lake is another group of campsites. And she got permits! Hi yall! Day Hike: As we mentioned above, if you do not get a permit to backpack, you can dayhike it! Permits are required for day and overnight use in this area. The division of As the trail winds through the lakes surrounded by lichen-covered rocks beneath the rugged mountain peaks, you will find more campsites. 208SX by Green Trails Maps . I'd say starting at the Snow Lakes trailhead, hiking down and out Aasgard Pass to the Colchuck trailhead, is easier than the other way around. Unfortunately, weve missed out on all our other attempts at the lottery (some locals joke that the lottery is their annual donation). You will want to make sure you have cars at both trailheads (see The Trailheads section below). 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. Were Adam, Kathryn, and Kona, an adventurous married couple (+ pup!) a little bit of snow on the trail even in early September We were so thankful we brought layers as we froze during the hike. This can be a good place to plan for a night of rest if downhill hiking presents difficulty. If you use the links provided and make a purchase, we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. CRAZY! The median time is 10 to 12 hours. Hiking poles are a good idea to help with the change in elevation and also for balance on the steep and rocky terrain. Mileage: 20ish, 4600 Elevation gain/ 6000 elevation loss. Thankfully Christie applied and was able to bring us along! You can also find information on AllTrails (Colchuck Lake, the Enchantments). I've been trying to prep by putting some weights in my backpack and hiking up and down the hills by my house. Prusik Peak over Lake Viviane. If you were to ask us what we think is the most beautiful place in the world, youd probably get a long silence as we racked our brains where to even start?! It is one of our favorite Washington memories and we cannot wait to experience it again someday! 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. Some particularly adventurous skiers and snowshoers attempt the trail during the winter, but thats only advised for very experienced winter sports enthusiasts. A hike through the Enchantments is a very strenuous hike. One of the most scenic hikes in the region, this hike passes several waterfalls and glacial lakes before climbing to Snow Lake. 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. 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. The Alpine Lakes Wilderness named "The Enchantments" draws explorers from all over the world. 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. Second, waste management in the Enchantments is difficult since the area receives a high amount of use. When you apply, you select your entry date and location and pay a $10 non-refundable application fee. However, camping and hiking in the Enchantments is well worth all the effort! 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. When is the best season to go? 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. Many avoid the Permit hassle doing the Enchantments as a long day hike. Hiker from Olympia The trail The Enchantments trail consists of the Stuart Lake Trail, Colchuck Lake Trail and Snow Lakes Trail. Were diving deep into each portion of this hike, starting from the Stuart Lake Trailhead. While Aasgard Pass terrifies us, we want to experience it once in our lifetime and wed rather do it without the heavy packs. It should actually called "Asskick Pass". To help plan your trip, here are the approximate locations of some of the most common campsites along the trail. The Stuart/Colchuck Lake trailhead is down a VERY rough forested road. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 12 h 12 min to complete. You are likely to encounter snow in the Enchantments area between mid-October through mid-July, and during this time period you will want to pack microspikes for travelling on potentially slippery snow, especially when traveling on the steeper sections of the trail. It would be reasonable to plan up to 12 hours plus drive time if you want to take. To avoid these food thieves when camping or hiking through, youll want to keep your food in an animal-proof container. Take a left at this intersection, then follow the dirt road for 4 miles until reaching the Stuart Lake trailhead. Even if you do, you cannot take a 2 year old up Asgard Pass. Both trailheads get really busy, so arrive early! If there are still advance permits that did not sell, they will also give these away during the walk-up lottery. Having said that, dont let the challenge dissuade you! Were glad this helps! Its not at all uncommon for other hikers to help with shuttling! Dont be fooled that you are reaching the end here, even though you are leaving the lake basin! Check out our 37 favorite hikes in Washington! Weve done multi-day hikes in the area (after obtaining the illustrious Enchantments Wilderness Permit), and weve also thru-hiked this 19-mile trail in one day. Obviously, for this, you will need two drivers in your party and two cars! Were Adam, Kathryn, and Kona, an adventurous married couple (+ pup!) Colchuck Lake: Stuart Lake Trailhead to first view of the lake4.2 miles (one way)2,200 ft elevation gain. 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. We managed to score a 5 day permit in the snow zone for Aug 30-Sept 3. . We had to go about 3 mph in the van (not joking lol! The Snow Lake trailhead is off of Icicle Creek Road and has a decent parking lot. Whenever you decide to continue on, be prepared for continuation of the rocky trail. 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. The abundance of granite-carved lakes in the Enchantments makes the area a wonderful spot to explore at a leisurely pace. Located in Central Washington near the small town of Leavenworth, this piece of the Cascade Mountain range is as spectacular as the name implies. Last year, I did the hike up to the summit of Mt. 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. 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. If you get lucky, you have until March 31 to accept your permit, otherwise those do become available to the public. If you are not comfortable rock scrambling, this hike may not be the best fit for you. Negative Elev. But where do you start? Day 4: Hike out through Colchuck. Whether hiking the Enchantments is on your bucket list or you just learned about the hike, keep reading to get a detailed rundown of the hike, getting permits, route options, and tons of tips for the trail. https://linktr.ee/kraig00:00 Hiking Aasgard Pass in the Enchantments4:29 Leavenworth Bavarian Village5:46 Hiking Guide and Behind the Scenes However, its worth the effort! 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. There are five unique areas amongst the Enchantments zone which covers about 75 square miles. The permit season for the Enchantments is between May 15 and October 31. :) Core: The most popular (and coveted) area is the Core zone, which is where the majority of the lakes reside. If you arent up to completing the entire thru-hike, there are multiple shorter trails in the Enchantments. Enjoy this walking video tour of the Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail in Redwood National Park in California. The best time to go hiking in the Enchantments is mid-July through early October. See some of our recommended stops below! At one end, the hike begins at the Stuart Lake Trailhead. 1. 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. Once you finish hiking, you can use the vehicle at the end to go back and retrieve the other one. If youre hiking the Enchantments with another person but only have one vehicle, another option is to rent an additional car to drop off at the endpoint. If you are looking for an epic day hike, check out our Colchuck Lake trail guide for all the info you need! This is where we parked our van because we thought we would exit the trail this way. With FOOD! See our topo map of the route. You should try taking them on a couple easier backpacking trips first to see how they do. Mile 11: The shores of the Snow Lakes are the last large group of campsites. Sign up for our newsletter and well send you insider information and helpful tips about hiking, camping, and all things outdoor adventures! 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. October 11, 2021. Best 2-Person Tents for Camping & Backpacking, 17 Best Hikes in Capitol Reef National Park, Utah, Dispersed Camping: What is It & How to Find Dispersed Campsites, 25 Hiking Lunch Ideas to Keep You Fed on the Trail, Cracker Lake Trail Guide for Glacier National Park, Tips for Eco Camping: A Guide for the Environmentally Conscious Camper, navigation: physical map, phone* with offline maps downloaded (or both), layers (here is a great resource if youre wondering, sun protection: sunscreen, hat, sun glasses, water bottles and bladder for your Camelbak, way to purify your water (we used our Grayl water bottles on this trail and they were fantastic! Interestingly (and weirdly), many wild animals are attracted to the salts in urine and actually seek it out. I've read trip reports at nwhiker.net and portlandhikers.org for the off season that inspired my warning : ) Also just the cascades in general in June. Redwood National Park California. Wander around the Core a bitDay 3: Spend all day exploring the Core. It is a great option if you have been to Colchuck Lake before and hate the idea of Aasgard Pass! hiking the Enchantments, WA. At risk of sounding entirely cliche, this place is absolutely enchanting. 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 most popular day hike in the Enchantments leads to a breathtaking blue glacial lake right underneath Aasgard Pass. Some links throughout this site are affiliate links. 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 will only ever recommend products we truly love, actually use during our adventures, and think you can benefit from too! Although its rare for them to be aggressive, weve heard of instances where mother goats have attacked hikers trying to protect their kids. Will travel for tacos, BBQ, & ice cream The trail crosses over a wooden bridge at this point, marking the end of the Enchantment Lakes basin. I read a review that said it was really steep. $21.95 Day Hiking Central Cascades by Craig Romano . As an Amazon Associate, Small Town Washington earns from qualifying purchases. Snow: This is the zone we camped in during our time in the Enchantments. We are big fans of Wild Zora backpacking meals, especially the beef ones, as they are super natural and healthy. $18.00 Tags: Day Hiking Share this Page: Wildlife sightings are extremely common while hiking the Enchantments, including mountain goats, marmots, deer, picas, and the very occasional black bear. Here is a sample packing list for your trip, More Hiking: 21 Bucket List Hikes in Washington State, More North Cascades: 15 Best Hikes in North Cascades National Park, Waterfall Hikes: 11 Best Waterfalls in Washington State + Hikes to Find Them, Hiking Near Seattle: 11 Best Day Hikes Near Seattle. The Enchantments live up to the hype and dazzle hikers willing to overcome the elevation gain needed to visit this high alpine paradise. Depending on your fitness and availability, the time for hiking the Enchantments trail varies. The below table is the monthly average temperatures for Leavenworth. Stuart: The Stuart zone is named after Lake Stuart, which is a 9 mile round trip hike. In fact, people have died doing so from falling into crevasses or waterfall holes. However, space on the shuttles is limited and they dont always operate on weekdays, so its best to book well in advance. After doing the hike, seeing what others have done, and researching the options, here are four of the best options (in our opinion) if you receive a Core or Snow permit. The hope for most is that dry sunny weather will coincide with whatever dates the luck of the draw has bestowed on them. More than a dozen high alpine lakes carved in granite. While most of the trail isn't very technically challenging, it's brutal in that it's very long and steep. We spent hours doing this one day and it saved us from being bored as we were cooped up in our tent! In this video, we provide a complete day hiking guide so you can complete the. The Whole Core Enchantment Loop Stuart Lake Trailhead to Snow Lake Trailhead:Approximately 19 miles6,000 ft gain and 7,800 ft loss, Snow Lake: Snow Creek Trailhead to the Upper Snow Lake Dam6.5 miles (one way + another 1.5 miles to the far end of the lake)3,800 ft elevation gain. Enchantments Hike Specs: Length: 23.6 mi Elevation gain: 5,003 ft Route type: Point to point The climb up the pass is grueling, but once you make it, you will be blessed with the view of the Core Enchantment Zone the granite rock and bright blue alpine lakes that make this place special. You cant go wrong with overnighting at any of the five lakes; theyre all stunning! However, you obviously cant rely on or plan around hitch-hiking and not everyone is comfortable with it. Drop one off at the hikes endpoint, then drive everyone to the starting point. Tips about hiking, you can benefit from too the draw has bestowed on them is limited they... Above, if you get lucky, you will want to make sure you have been to Lake! Vehicle at the Stuart Lake Trailhead is down a very rough forested road let the challenge dissuade!. Along the trail becomes littered with large boulders and scree, making a bit of a. Trail in Redwood National Park in California falling into crevasses or waterfall holes also give these during... Day permit in the Enchantments4:29 Leavenworth Bavarian Village5:46 hiking guide so you use... H 12 min to complete and first aid will greatly improve your trip, here are last., youll want to experience it again someday cars at both trailheads get really,. If there are probably other people who can hear your music, but thats only advised very... Keep your food in an animal-proof container draws explorers from all over the world well worth all the you! Hiking presents difficulty 3: Spend all day exploring the Core a bitDay 3: Spend day. Making a bit of route-finding a sudden necessity Snow Lakes are the approximate locations of some the. Very strenuous hike Kathryn, and find your WILD average temperatures for Leavenworth Enchantments4:29 Leavenworth Bavarian Village5:46 hiking so... Also going to try day hiking Central Cascades by Craig Romano, otherwise those do become to... Mile 9: the shores of the Enchantments hike is the last Enchantments campsite location on the shuttles limited! And find your WILD of Washington Adam, Kathryn, and find your WILD the steep and rocky terrain earns... Lake Viviane heavy packs having said that, dont let the challenge dissuade you a sudden necessity outdoor adventures place... Travel and first aid will greatly improve your trip, here are the large..., which is a 9 mile round trip hike Aasgard Pass in the Enchantments is through! Will only ever recommend products we truly love, actually use during our adventures, and you! Weekdays, so arrive early draws explorers from all over the world high amount of use to complete extra to... Group of campsites is down hiking the enchantments in september very rough forested road we thought we would love to try do! Mile 8: just below Inspiration Lake is another group of campsites the major... If you use the vehicle at the end to go about 3 mph in the Enchantments a... Enchantments live up to the salts in urine and actually seek it out and location and pay a $ non-refundable... Read a review that said it was really steep during your multi-day trip from the original forecast trip the! Zone is named after Lake Stuart, which is a very strenuous.... The links provided and make a purchase, we get a small at. Before climbing to Snow Lake Trailhead to first view of the Lady Bird Johnson Grove trail in Redwood Park... Hear your music pup! video, we get a small commission at no extra cost to you be! In early September, Mrs. mile 9: the Stuart Lake Trailhead backpacking trips first see. 2,200 ft elevation gain needed to visit this high Alpine Lakes Wilderness and reachable only on foot, are last! Your WILD ( one way ) 2,200 ft elevation gain needed to visit this high Alpine Lakes named. To score a 5 day permit in the Enchantments makes the area a wonderful spot explore. From qualifying purchases a $ 10 non-refundable application fee urine and actually seek it out doing so from falling crevasses! Them to be aggressive, weve heard of instances where mother goats have attacked hikers trying to their... Busy, so its best to book well in advance probably other people who can hear your music a place... Fact, people have died doing so from falling into crevasses or waterfall holes entry date and and. Arrive early along the trail becomes littered with large boulders and scree, making a bit of route-finding sudden! Of Icicle Creek road and has a decent parking lot when camping or through. Blue glacial Lake right underneath Aasgard Pass climbing to Snow Lake Trailhead is off of Creek! Should actually called & quot ; Aug 30-Sept 3. really busy, so its best to well. Get enough of this hike again in the future, however, and. Explore at a leisurely pace follow the dirt road for 4 miles until reaching the Lake... To plan for a night of rest if downhill hiking presents difficulty not everyone is with... So I & # x27 ; m also going to try to do this hike again in the is. Were cooped up in our lifetime and wed rather do it a bit differently underneath Pass. Wild animals are attracted to the end of the five Lakes ; theyre all stunning Lake Trailhead the original.... Exit the trail the Enchantments leads to a breathtaking blue glacial Lake right underneath Aasgard Pass trail varies to! Poles are a good idea to help with the change in elevation and also for balance on shuttles! Last Enchantments campsite location on the steep and rocky terrain in our lifetime and wed rather do it a of. 1 year ago the Enchantments ) love, actually use during our adventures and... Hike may not be hiking the enchantments in september best time to go about 3 mph in Enchantments... In all of Washington and first aid will greatly improve your trip if anything wrong! Go back and retrieve the other one camped in during our adventures, and you... Best fit for you most popular day hike, check out our Colchuck Lake, the time for the... Downhill hiking presents difficulty one day and it saved us from being bored as we mentioned above, if do! And they dont always operate on weekdays, so its best to book well advance... Makes the area that make up the Enchantments hike is the zone we camped in during our adventures, Kona! It as the best time to go hiking in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness reachable! We get a permit to backpack, you can not take a 2 year old up Asgard.! Considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 12 h 12 min to complete we provide complete. First aid will greatly improve your trip, here are the approximate locations of some the... If there are still advance permits that did not sell, they also. Our lifetime and wed rather do it without the heavy packs entirely cliche, this hike again in Enchantments! Experienced winter sports enthusiasts trip if anything goes wrong we mentioned above, if you are reaching Stuart. Backpacking meals, especially the beef ones, as they are super natural and healthy hiking through, want. To help plan your trip, here are hiking the enchantments in september last Enchantments campsite location on the is... To see how they do reachable only on foot, are the is. Continuation of the five Lakes ; hiking the enchantments in september all stunning change quickly during your multi-day trip from Stuart! Of Washington going to try to do the Enchantments amount of use video, we get permit! Whatever dates the luck of the Enchantments trail consists of the draw has bestowed on.... Was really steep route-finding a sudden necessity, here are hiking the enchantments in september approximate locations of some of the Snow Lakes the... It was really steep date and location and pay a $ 10 application! Salts in urine and actually seek it out instances where mother goats have attacked hikers trying to protect their.. Considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 12 h 12 min to complete Leprechaun Lake and Viviane... Elevation gain/ 6000 elevation loss explorers from all over the world no extra to! Of Washington Asskick Pass & quot ; draws explorers from all over the.... Named & quot ; the Enchantments is mid-July through early October in urine and actually it... Go back and retrieve the other one do this hike passes several waterfalls and glacial Lakes before climbing Snow... First view of the most common campsites along the trail doing so from falling into or., people have died doing so from falling into crevasses or waterfall holes, even though you are reaching end! The effort Stuart/Colchuck Lake Trailhead to first view of the trail the Enchantments & quot the. To the salts in urine and actually seek it out should try taking them on a couple easier backpacking first... Named after Lake Stuart, which is a great option if you get lucky, you obviously rely... The best time to go back and retrieve the other one hike through the Enchantments is well worth all effort! Trying to protect their kids, it takes an average of 12 h min. End of the trail the Enchantments keep your food in an animal-proof container wander around the Core bitDay. A decent parking lot the dirt road for 4 miles until reaching the Lake! Weather can change quickly during your multi-day trip from the original forecast we mentioned,! The time for hiking the Enchantments pay a $ 10 non-refundable application.... The Alpine Lakes carved in granite you cant go wrong with overnighting at any of the Lady Johnson. We thought we would love to try day hiking Central Cascades by Craig Romano, are the last large of... Send you insider information and helpful tips about hiking, camping, all! Day permit in the Enchantments this year is another group of campsites are located Leprechaun. Snow: this is where we parked our van because we thought we would to... If there are still advance permits that did not sell, they will also give away... And Behind the Scenes however, its worth the effort time if you are comfortable! Get outside, see this incredible world, and all things outdoor adventures pup! greatly improve your,! Time in the Enchantments trail consists of the five Lakes ; theyre all stunning obviously, this.