That is awesome! More than a dozen high alpine lakes carved in granite. Most see this coveted area by day hiking to some of the closer lakes (Colchuck Lake is popular), but to really experience the core of the Enchantments, an elusive overnight permit is required. Weve gathered our 21 favorite Washington State hikes here, including hikes of all levels, to get you prepped for tackling the Enchantments hike! 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. That way, you can use Day 3 to do a badass day hike back into the Upper Enchantments without being encumbered by that pesky and weighty backpack. You can often find us driving all around the US and Canada, scoping out the best coffee shops, eating tacos and ice cream (were a 5+ taco and 2+ scoop household), and enjoying nature. However, space on the shuttles is limited and they dont always operate on weekdays, so its best to book well in advance. The parking lots have very limited parking even with these designated spots, so it is a good idea to arrive as early as possible. 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. Interestingly (and weirdly), many wild animals are attracted to the salts in urine and actually seek it out. Top 10 Hiking 100 Classic Hikes: Washington, 3rd Ed. 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?! This informative video shows you how! : 1312 ft. the enchantments hiking washington day hike This way, youll knock out most of the elevation gain in the first quarter of the hike. Some links throughout this site are affiliate links. Wander around the Core a bitDay 3: Spend all day exploring the Core. Perfect for swimming and relaxing, the lake is accessed via a steady climb, mostly through shady forest. YouTube, Travel Guides, Gear, & FAQs. THE ENCHANTMENTS TRAIL BREAKDOWN. This is the last Enchantments campsite location on the way out to the end of the trail. The Enchantments would be a very rough introduction to backpacking for a 2 year old. Depending on snow conditions, you may also want to bring gaiters to protect your boots from getting filled with snow. Youll pass through dense forests, blankets of wildflowers, and high-elevation mountain passes to reach an otherworldly tree-less environment filled only with ancient rocks molded by wind and water. If you click through a link on Small Town Washington, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. In fact, this stunning mountain landscape has been termed the "Crown Jewel of Washington Hiking" by the Washington Trails Association, the leading expert on hiking in Washington.And after doing the full thru-hike of the Enchantments ourselves, we couldn't agree more: it is absolutely incredible. 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. With over 2,000 feet of elevation gain in less than a single mile in distance, the climb challenges both stamina and determination. Anytime! Our friends also brought water treatment liquid that worked great too! While taking pictures and enjoying the company, you will need to keep your distance to keep yourself and the animals safe. Plus, Stuart Lake is a couple thousand feet higher than Snow Lakes, so your total elevation gain is lower! We hope to inform, inspire, and empower you to get outside, see this incredible world, and find your WILD! Winning is completely up to luck, which is the hard part of the lottery system. 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. https://linktr.ee/kraig00:00 Hiking Aasgard Pass in the Enchantments4:29 Leavenworth Bavarian Village5:46 Hiking Guide and Behind the Scenes You will want to make sure you have cars at both trailheads (see The Trailheads section below). Enjoy this walking video tour of the Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail in Redwood National Park in California. 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! Hikers use two trails to approach the Enchantments Basin. Best Time to Hike the Enchantments The start of the Core Enchantment Zone As the permit window would suggest, the best time to hike the Enchantments is June - October. Youre all packed and now its time to start the hike! The Enchantments are an absolutely amazing alpine wonderland located in central Washington state. The trailheads for both are located off Icicle Creek Road. Those on the longer end tend to linger longer at the lakes. They also make some amazing meat and veggie bars. 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. 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. 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. Don't shower for 3 weeks leading up your hike as a human repellent. If there are still advance permits that did not sell, they will also give these away during the walk-up lottery. 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. The views are dramatic, but they come at a price, as the trail is a near-constant climb through rocks and forest. The permit season for the Enchantments is between May 15 and October 31. See some of our recommended stops below! Hiking in North Cascades National Park in Washington. What awaits visitors: -Nearby Bavarian-styled village -High alpine lakes carved in granite -Curious mountain goats and their kids -Dramatic peaks -Golden larches come fall However, its worth the effort! The challenging 20-mile trail requires advanced planning, so weve broken it down in a comprehensive hiking guide. September 30, 2022. 14 days ago. Overview of the Enchantments Hike Length of Time: 8 to 15 hours. Its not scary, but you will need to go slow. 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 first frost usually comes in mid-October. By mid-morning in late February 1964, four snowshoers began traveling up the Ingalls Creek trail, heading for a campsite where Crystal Creek meets the main drainage of Ingalls Creek, seven miles up valley. In 2018 (still waiting on 2019 numbers), 17,586 people applied for 708 Core permitsgiving them a 4% chance to snag one. 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. The Stuart/Colchuck Lake trailhead is down a VERY rough forested road. Bring rain entertainmentOne of the best things we did was download Netflix and books in case it rained. Day 4: Hike out through Colchuck. Arrive by 7:30 AM to enter the walk-up lottery. Please dont bury TP; pack it in, pack it out. Although bears are not commonly sighted, they are present in the area and may also try to get into food. Day 4: Hike out through Snow Lake. 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! 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!). The route is described below beginning at the Stuart Lake Trailhead. $18.00 Tags: Day Hiking Share this Page: Were diving deep into each portion of this hike, starting from the Stuart Lake Trailhead. It is important that you choose a designated campsite to help preserve the fragile alpine vegetation in the lake basin. The weather can change quickly during your multi-day trip from the original forecast. There is little if any cell service available on this trail, and emergency help is far away. And it's tough getting there. 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. I had done no training barring weekly hikes in LA and it took me 20 hours to complete it. It is a great option if you have been to Colchuck Lake before and hate the idea of Aasgard Pass! Talk about timing! End: Snow Lakes Trailhead. And do it on a hot daya record-breaking hot day is even better. Where did yall set up your tent and take that photo from the inside looking out??? The best chances of obtaining a permit are to pick dates earlier or later in the season and avoid major holidays. *If you choose to us your phone for navigation, be sure to bring a reliable battery pack to charge your phone. 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. You can apply for permits during the second half of February through Recreation.gov, and winners are drawn, lottery-style, in early March. 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. Youll share the first part of the trail into the Enchantments with many fellow hikers since its one of the best (and closest!) Please see our. It would be reasonable to plan up to 12 hours plus drive time if you want to take. 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. No matter what route you take, how many days you have, or if you get a sunny day or a cloudy day, the Enchantments truly are a magical place and 100% worth the permit headaches to visit in whatever capacity you can. Before setting out on this trip, make sure you are physically ready for a strenuous hike through the wilderness! In early September, Mrs. But we couldnt miss the opportunity to go, so we committed to the permits and figured we would make it all work. As an Airbnb Associate, we may earn a commission when you book through our links, at no extra cost to you. At risk of sounding entirely cliche, this place is absolutely enchanting. The sights are spectacular, with views of surrounding peaks and Colchuck Lake dwarfed into a gleaming blue jewel far below. Looking up from Leprechaun Lake: My dad: Posted on September 5, 2011 September 6, 2011 by Rick Mc. We camped probably 1 mile from where you start the hike to the Core from the Snow Lakes area. Although its only 4.5 miles in, there are lots of uneven rocks and only a few flat sections this hike isnt easy! Enchantments Hike Specs: Length: 23.6 mi Elevation gain: 5,003 ft Route type: Point to point 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!) In fact, people have died doing so from falling into crevasses or waterfall holes. 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. Mile 11: The shores of the Snow Lakes are the last large group of campsites. If you are not comfortable rock scrambling, this hike may not be the best fit for you. ), dry bag (we always carry one with us for our valuables in case of rain), bear canister (to properly store your food), toilet kit: toilet paper, small shovel, bag for packing out TP, hand sanitizer, camp chairs (we love our Crazy Creek chairs), battery pack (if you are relying on your phone), dehydrated meals (we like making our own backpacking meals with dehydrated ingredients, but you can pick up a decent variety at most outdoor stores). Overview of the Enchantments Hike These statistics are for the thru-hike from Stuart/Colchuck Lake Trailhead to the Snow Lakes Trailhead. Wildlife sightings are extremely common while hiking the Enchantments, including mountain goats, marmots, deer, picas, and the very occasional black bear. Note: in 2019 they reduced the number of permits due to wildfire damage. Nestled in the Cascade Mountains, the Enchantments is full of alpine lakes, rocky peaks, larches, mountain goats, and incredible views. . . The last hiking practice Ill mention here is to be courteous of other peoples trips. 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! 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 here, depending on your schedule, you may want to camp overnight. The best strategy is to keep your distance as much as possible. Hi Kym! 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. Having said that, dont let the challenge dissuade you! Early Summer While hiking in June still requires a permit, you run the risk of the trail being heavily covered in snow. The road to Colchuck lake does close in the winter, but it typically is open for a bit after October 31, giving you a little bit of a window to do the hike depending on the weather. Stuart Lake is at the end of this valley, but youre actually going to detour and gain a bit more elevation in order to reach stunning Colchuck Lake. And our favorite way to celebrate? Hiking the Enchantments is one of the most memorable PNW experiences. Since the Enchantments hike is a point to point trail, its necessary to consider transportation logistics. Prusik Peak over Lake Viviane. 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. Always maintain a very safe distance from wildlife, and take care of your business well away from the trail and campsites! Hi yall! The Enchantments are one of the most enchanting (sorry, we had to!) We had to use our hands for balance as we slooowly clambered up what seemed like a near-vertical route. And if we were to backpack again, wed love to spend one more day out there so we had more time to explore and to have an extra day in case the weather was bad. Comment below if you have questions about hiking the Enchantments in Washington state and well do our best to get back to you! Just beyond Aasgard Pass, the area known as the Core Enchantments Zone offers otherworldly views completely different from the forest below. A lot of people were doing this and it is allowed. 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. 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. 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. View more hiking details on Washington Trails Association for both Colchuck Lake and the whole Enchantments enchilada. We bought a new water filter for the trip and the water filtered super fastit was amazing! October 11, 2021. Now the hard part: getting a permit. Mile 9: The next major group of campsites are located between Leprechaun Lake and Lake Viviane. 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. Stuart: The Stuart zone is named after Lake Stuart, which is a 9 mile round trip hike. There are numerous epic campsites along the trail; however, where you can camp overnight depends strictly on the permit you receive. You can also choose an alternate leader. These sites are perfect if you have two nights on the trail or if you get a late start the first day. Wander around the Core a bitDay 3: Spend all day exploring the Core. Hiking the Enchantments means your jaw will drop at every turn. Despite not having the best permit, battling the rain, and having to change our route during our trip, we still had an amazing time exploring this beautiful region of the state of Washington. Maybe you'll get lucky and have good weather. Yay, congrats! 1. The peaks look like a child drew them; all fairy tale jags and triangles." 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. Colchuck Lake: Stuart Lake Trailhead to first view of the lake4.2 miles (one way)2,200 ft elevation gain. Very brutal.. Permits: Similar to the zones above, you will need a permit to camp here, which is the second hardest permit to get for the Enchantments. The miles of steep, rocky terrain are relentless and because youre at high elevation, you often have to combat Mother Nature, too. The maximum group size is 8 people. However, dont count on this as a guarantee it is far better to try to secure an Enchantments permit in advance. Insider tip: Since these campsites are outside the Core Enchantment zone, theyre easier to obtain and open to groups, rather than just individuals. Just have a few questions. These days experience the least precipitation and are most likely to have clear skies and warm days. How long does it take to hike the Enchantments trail? Bear hangs are not recommended, as there are not good trees to implement a proper bear hang to keep food away from wildlife. We lived in Leavenworth for a while, and have been lucky enough to hike in the Enchantments a few times, and each experience has been pretty different. Located in Central Washington near the small town of Leavenworth, this piece of the Cascade Mountain range is as spectacular as the name implies. 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. Although the Enchantments hike can be done in two days, this hike is best done in at least three days, spending two nights camping within the permit zone. Dont worry, not all hope is lost. The trail through the Enchantments is 18 miles, one-way, with additional side trails to explore the surrounding lakes. Understandably, the trail gets busy and snagging an overnight permit is extremely tough. The mountain goats in particular are habituated to visitors. Your email address will not be published. This campsite location puts you in a great position to finish the hike the next day and return home. Alltrails says that from Stuart/Colchuck trailhead to the Snow Lake trailhead it is 23.6 miles, but we confirmed with a ranger during our hike that it is 19. 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. Each campsite listed has a wilderness toilet for your use and to preserve the natural beauty of the area. Something we wish we had brought were waterproof pants. A near-vertical route where did yall set up your hike as a guarantee it is a mile. Side trails to explore the surrounding Lakes to pick dates earlier or later in the Lake Basin not trees. Something we wish we had to! down in a comprehensive hiking.. Available on this trail, and take care of your business well away from inside... 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