$21.95 Day Hiking Central Cascades by Craig Romano . 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. 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. ), only experienced and fit hikers who are very confident in their abilities should attempt it. Water filterWhile we have a pretty large Camelbak bladder to store water, it wasnt enough water for a three day hike. The smaller creatures in the Enchantments marmots, pikas, marten, squirrels are used to finding human food around backpacks and tents. And do it on a hot daya record-breaking hot day is even better. The abundance of granite-carved lakes in the Enchantments makes the area a wonderful spot to explore at a leisurely pace. In October, unpredictable snowstorms start to roll into the higher elevations, making the trail dangerous. But on March 20, we got the disappointing news that we did not get permits. And she got permits! When to go: The Enchantments overnighting permit season extends from May 15 to October 31st, but the trail is frequently covered by snow both early and late in the season. 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. 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. The trail down to Inspiration Lake is steep the first taste of the downhill you will encounter on the remaining trail. You can apply for permits during the second half of February through Recreation.gov, and winners are drawn, lottery-style, in early March. After getting b, Our beautiful home in Mrida! While Aasgard Pass terrifies us, we want to experience it once in our lifetime and wed rather do it without the heavy packs. We couldnt get enough of this section, and highly recommend it as the best for camping! Mountain goats are the most prevalent wildlife youll encounter. 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. There are numerous epic campsites along the trail; however, where you can camp overnight depends strictly on the permit you receive. To be on the safe side, plan your hike for mid-July to late-September. If you spend any time in Washington, it won't take long to hear about the Enchantments. The map below shows the area that make up the Enchantments. Prusik Peak over Lake Viviane. 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. 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. Perfection Lake is another clear, shallow alpine lake, perhaps more beautiful than the previous ones (hence its name, perhaps!). 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. Pin this blog post to prep for your trip! To avoid these food thieves when camping or hiking through, youll want to keep your food in an animal-proof container. Permits: The Enchantments hike is a difficult to strenuous trail, and I will be the first to tell you that I did not train enough with weight for this trip. We hope this blog post helped give you some more information to help plan your trip to the Enchantments! 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. As you proceed down the trail, the next and final lake of the Enchantments is Lake Viviane. Unfortunately, weve missed out on all our other attempts at the lottery (some locals joke that the lottery is their annual donation). But the wait, stress, and uncertainty of getting to access this area is worth it!Note: Dogs are not allowed in the Enchantments. When the landscape is snow-covered, the lakes may be frozen and not distinguishable from the rest of the landscape. 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. The Enchantments are one of the most enchanting (sorry, we had to!) This is the route we did. Some links in this post may be affiliate links. Its a good idea to pack bear spray just to be safe. Once you ascend the Enchantments Core, youll be able to enjoy the spectacular scenery without constant exertion. The best chances of obtaining a permit are to pick dates earlier or later in the season and avoid major holidays. It is one of our favorite Washington memories and we cannot wait to experience it again someday! Up is easier than down, especially at the beginning of a long hike! Heres a quick rundown of each one! 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.To be on the safe side, plan your hike for mid-July to late-September. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 12 h 12 min to complete. Whitney in CA as a day hike. With your permit you will receive special parking permits for each of the trailhead, allowing you to park in designated spots for permitees. Overview of the Enchantments Hike These statistics are for the thru-hike from Stuart/Colchuck Lake Trailhead to the Snow Lakes Trailhead. A hike through the Enchantments is a very strenuous hike. 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. In early September, Mrs. We camped probably 1 mile from where you start the hike to the Core from the Snow Lakes area. Required fields are marked *. This 24 mile, 6,200 elevation gain permit only hike leads to the tallest mountain in the contiguous US. If you begin at the lower Snow Creek Trailhead, reverse the numbers. Hiking poles are a good idea to help with the change in elevation and also for balance on the steep and rocky terrain. To obtain one of these, you will need to arrive at the ranger station early in the morning on the day you wish to start your trip. 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. To overnight between May and October, however, a lottery permit is required. Soon, the forest reappears and its a foot-battering descent down to the Snow Lake trailhead. They are now prohibiting parking along FS Road 7601 and they have a ranger with a sign telling you if parking is full before you get too far down the road. Note: Winners are drawn at random, so it makes absolutely no difference when you apply, as long as its within the application period. 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. Hikers use two trails to approach the Enchantments Basin. But we couldnt miss the opportunity to go, so we committed to the permits and figured we would make it all work. This beautiful glacial gem is the perfect spot for a snack, swim, and at least a few minutes of relaxation from here, things are going to get much harder. If you do not get a permit through the lottery, there is still hope! 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. They only give out one permit per zone per day, with up to 8 people per permit. The Enchantments is a region in Washington, just 15 miles southwest of Leavenworth, a super cute Bavarian village town. Where did yall set up your tent and take that photo from the inside looking out??? Nearly devoid of vegetation, the landscape has been molded by ancient glacial activity, with countless sparkling blue lakes dotting the dramatic rock formations. Note: We did not visit all of these spots due to timing, but we wanted to! They also make some amazing meat and veggie bars. Most backpackers choose to visit during this window. The trail through the Enchantments is 18 miles, one-way, with additional side trails to explore the surrounding lakes. Spread out over a few days, its incredibly rewarding, with once-in-a-lifetime views and experience to match your efforts. Posted on September 5, 2011 September 6, 2011 by Rick Mc. Its a unique, labor-intensive process that has an extremely low success rate (the odds of winning a permit are about 2% at best), but well worth it. Mile 8: Just below Inspiration Lake is another group of campsites. This is the most recent attempt to mitigate the parking shortage at the trailheads. Starting at Stuart / Colchuck Lake trailhead means you climb 4,549 ft and descend 6,688 ft. 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. Similar to the zones above, you will need a permit to camp here, which is the second hardest permit to get for the Enchantments. Yay, congrats! Here is a rundown of the mileage for different portions of the hike, directly from the Forest Service. Many avoid the Permit hassle doing the Enchantments as a long day hike. day hikes near Leavenworth. It is mostly just super bumpy, rocky, and steep. 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. Were Adam, Kathryn, and Kona, an adventurous married couple (+ pup!) I booked this time as I wanted the beautiful golden larches. The level of difficulty and sheer distance of the trail mean the best way to experience this area is via a multi-day hike. 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. The best strategy is to keep your distance as much as possible. The route is described below beginning at the Stuart Lake Trailhead. - Stock Photos provided by our partner Depositphotos, Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, Hi yall! Widely regarded as the crown jewel of hiking in Washington, this trail exceeds even the wildest of superlatives. Additionally, this is where you'll get to do some off-trail excursions. Although many are also strenuous, they still make fantastic hikes into this stunning part of the Cascades! The most popular day hike in the Enchantments leads to a breathtaking blue glacial lake right underneath Aasgard Pass. Hi Kym! You can either start and end at the same trailhead or start and end at different trailheads depending on the route youre going to take. 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. 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. The trail crosses over a wooden bridge at this point, marking the end of the Enchantment Lakes basin. Near the Bavarian town of Leavenworth (but hidden from sight), The Enchantments loom. These days experience the least precipitation and are most likely to have clear skies and warm days. To apply, you will need to choose an entry date, group size, permit zone, assign an alternate group leader, and pay the application fee. Elev. Wander around the Core a bitDay 3: Spend all day exploring the Core. We bought a new water filter for the trip and the water filtered super fastit was amazing! Sign up to get travel updates, guides, vlogs, and other resources delivered straight to your inbox once a month! September 8, 2016. The only way to visit the Enchantments is by hiking and it is no easy task. This is another hike that is a doable day trip, but if youd like to stay overnight, youll need to enter the Enchantments lottery for a permit. hiking the Enchantments, WA. It would be reasonable to plan up to 12 hours plus drive time if you want to take. 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?)! Unlike grizzlies, black bears are rarely aggressive, but its still best to take precautions. 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. My dad. 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. Your email address will not be published. Redwood National Park California. 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. Looking up from Leprechaun Lake: My dad: 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 The setting is picture-perfect; however, hiking here in just one day from Stuart Lake is challenging. living on the road in our. 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 Pacific Northwest travel blog is dedicated to exploring the best of the region, with a special emphasis on Washingtons small towns, national parks, and many incredible weekend getaways. If you only want to see the Core, this would be a good option for you! 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. We hope you snag a permit! Bring rain entertainmentOne of the best things we did was download Netflix and books in case it rained. The elevation gain and loss are large, meaning that you will be working hard at most points during your hike. 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. The Traverse runs through the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, and as you might guessit passes by a stunning array of glacial-fed lakes. 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. Mar 18, 2012 at 6:00 pm #1855705. Some links throughout this site are affiliate links. October 11, 2021. We were so thankful we brought layers as we froze during the hike. In this guide, well share how to best experience hiking the Enchantments, whether on a day trip or as a multi-day camping experience. Drop one off at the hikes endpoint, then drive everyone to the starting point. Toilet paper must be disposed of properly! 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. Bear CanisterWhile we did not see any bears during our trip, we always pack a bear canister when in the wilderness to safely store our food. All rights reserved. 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. Instead of backpacking, wed love to try day hiking it next time. Talisman Lake Here you will also encounter larches, the iconic coniferous tree with deciduous needles that turn bright yellow before they drop for the winter. 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. How long does it take to hike the Enchantments trail? Take a left at this intersection, then follow the dirt road for 4 miles until reaching the Stuart Lake trailhead. The weather can change quickly during your multi-day trip from the original forecast. The odds are even lower if youre applying for a permit in July or August. Enter: Christie, our Enchantments savior. Permits are required for day and overnight use in this area. 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. We will only ever recommend products we truly love, actually use during our adventures, and think you can benefit from too! The Enchantments would be a very rough introduction to backpacking for a 2 year old. These make for the best overnight spots in the Enchantments overall. 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. Will travel for tacos, BBQ, & ice cream Hiking with music can be fun but it is good practice to use headphones so that other hikers dont have to listen to it. I read a review that said it was really steep. There are five unique areas amongst the Enchantments zone which covers about 75 square miles. With FOOD! 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 trailheads for both are located off Icicle Creek Road. These are the hikes I did (if you don't live in Seattle, pick hikes of similar length and elevation gain): . The trail continues to be rocky and steep and several sections require scrambling using both hands and feet. All Rights Reserved. We spent hours doing this one day and it saved us from being bored as we were cooped up in our tent! If you use the links provided and make a purchase, we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. To visit the Enchantments, you can either thru-hike the entire distance as one long day hike, or you can backpack and complete the hike over the course of multiple days and nights. To help plan your trip, here are the approximate locations of some of the most common campsites along the trail. Before setting out on this trip, make sure you are physically ready for a strenuous hike through the wilderness! Mile 11: The shores of the Snow Lakes are the last large group of campsites. Mile 9: The next major group of campsites are located between Leprechaun Lake and Lake Viviane. I think it was definitely one of the best spots out in the Snow Lakes area! The mountain goats in particular are habituated to visitors. We managed to score a 5 day permit in the snow zone for Aug 30-Sept 3. 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. This is a very popular area for backpacking, camping, and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. More than a dozen high alpine lakes carved in granite. Another good spot to check out is Yodelin. Thankfully Christie applied and was able to bring us along! The best times to hike in the Enchantments are lake summer and early fall. Then, youd likely get a long rambling list of epic places weve been or those were itching to visit. Hiking the Enchantments is one of the most memorable PNW experiences. ), 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). We highly recommend getting the Alltrails app so you can see the map (even without cell service) and make sure youre going the right way. Whenever you decide to continue on, be prepared for continuation of the rocky trail. Once here, depending on your schedule, you may want to camp overnight. And our favorite way to celebrate? The Enchantments are not named as such for naught - they have some of the most spectacular alpine scenery in the country. In either direction, the trail is stunning, offering views across the Cascades and passing by numerous bright-blue glacial lakes and chiseled mountain peaks. Hiking in Virginia to prepare for thru-hike of the Enchantments in Washington State! After entering the permit lottery in 2018 and failing to get permits, we didnt feel too confident going into the 2019 lottery. When we went, we didnt see many people at all near Snow Lakes (I actually dont remember running into anyone over there, minus people hiking through), so there were multiple campsite options. Even if you dont see other hikers, there are probably other people who can hear your music. Day 4: Hike out through Colchuck. Regardless, we decided to go for it considering the luck of the permits - so here is the recap of The Enchantments hike that we completed September 26-27, 2020. In addition to the lottery permits, a very limited number of permits are reserved for walk-ins available at the Leavenworth Ranger Station. Not sure where to start? The summer temperatures drop (it occasionally reaches a scorching 100 degrees in July and August!) Very brutal.. Interestingly (and weirdly), many wild animals are attracted to the salts in urine and actually seek it out. and permits are also a little easier to come by. No clue if this is beneficial but it does feel like it's getting easier. Depending on your fitness and availability, the time for hiking the Enchantments trail varies. 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. 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. 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. There are so many spots youll want to sit and relish the view! Ever since moving to Washington and learning about this beautiful region, we had our sights set on backpacking there. 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. These permits can be difficult to secure, as most of them are drawn on a lottery. It is a great option if you have been to Colchuck Lake before and hate the idea of Aasgard Pass! Wildlife in the area is accustomed to visitors, making it easy to get good pictures of any you spot during your trip. If there are still advance permits that did not sell, they will also give these away during the walk-up lottery. 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. Nestled in the Cascade Mountains, the Enchantments is full of alpine lakes, rocky peaks, larches, mountain goats, and incredible views. 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. A rainy day at Rune Lake (Perfection Lake) in September. I had done no training barring weekly hikes in LA and it took me 20 hours to complete it. 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. While youll have no cell phone service, being able to charge your phone to take photos, look at a map, etc is crucial. Day 1: Hike to Snow Lake and set up campDay 2: Explore the Core area all day and then head back your campsite at Snow LakeDay 3: Hike out through Colchuck. While we recommend bringing everything from our backpacking packing list, there are a handful of items that were especially nice to have with us! One awesome thing about this permit is that you can camp in any of the zones, which gives you a lot of flexibility in your trip! This will give you time to cool off and avoid hiking in the heat of the day. Prior experience will help prepare you for the Enchantments hike and make it more fun! 19K views 1 year ago THE ENCHANTMENTS The Enchantments Hike is the most beautiful hike in all of Washington. The division of We coordinated with two friends (Yvonne and Jeffrey) on the dates we wanted, zones we wanted to apply for, and other logistics. Enjoy this walking video tour of the Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail in Redwood National Park in California. We hope to inform, inspire, and empower you to get outside, see this incredible world, and find your WILD! If youre not very familiar with the Enchantments Wilderness Area, you may be surprised to know that it requires a bit more planning and preparation than simply lacing up your hiking boots and hitting the trail. But once you get up Aasgard, you have an alpine lake filled playground to call home for the night. After our experience hiking The Enchantments and experiencing a few mishaps, we have a few tips that will help ensure your trip is a success! 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 trail steadily climbs through dense forest, with increasingly picturesque views of the valley below. Obtaining the permit to backpack the Enchantments is a much more difficult process, so we opted instead to camp out at Lake Wenatchee for the weekend and day-hike . Both trailheads get really busy, so arrive early! Mile 4: There are many campsites at Colchuck Lake around mile 4 from the trailhead. We got passed by a lot of people haha. View more hiking details on Washington Trails Association for both Colchuck Lake and the whole Enchantments enchilada. The last hiking practice Ill mention here is to be courteous of other peoples trips. For a challenging side adventure, there is a trail that branches off near Perfection Lake and heads up Prusik Pass. They are pit toilets, but its good for a last minute bathroom break before hitting the trail! The Enchantments are one of the most enchanting (sorry, we had to!) 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. Perfect for swimming and relaxing, the lake is accessed via a steady climb, mostly through shady forest. This area is called Aasgard Pass, and it's a lung-straining 2,000-ft climb in just under a mile. The miles of steep, rocky terrain are relentless and because youre at high elevation, you often have to combat Mother Nature, too. 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. The next mile is by far the toughest of the entire trail. 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. In late spring to early summer, the Enchantments core basin is still snow-covered. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Can you drive to the enchantments? 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. Please see our. In fact, people have died doing so from falling into crevasses or waterfall holes. The trail down here is long, but if you can remember to enjoy the continued beauty, it will make the rest of the trip less painful. In the Lee of Winter Storms: The Enchantment Basin. . And to watch our experience, check out our vlog below! In the winter, the Enchantments is buried in deep snowpack and is inaccessible to anyone without serious mountaineering experience. Walk-Ins available at the trailheads its a good option for you year ago the Enchantments is in... Its incredibly rewarding, with up to 8 people per permit attempt to mitigate the shortage. Next major group of campsites cute Bavarian village town, Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by,! The Enchantments b, our beautiful home in Mrida to visitors rough to... And weirdly ), only experienced and fit hikers who are very confident in their abilities attempt. Who are very confident in their abilities should attempt it away during the second half of February through Recreation.gov and. Explore at a leisurely pace several sections require scrambling using both hands and feet being bored as froze... Difficulty and sheer distance of the most prevalent wildlife youll encounter major of. In fact, people have died doing so from falling into crevasses or waterfall holes meaning that will! Mile 8: just below Inspiration Lake is steep the first taste of the mileage for portions. Enchantments enchilada campsites along the trail crosses over a wooden bridge at point! 20, we had to!, marten, squirrels are used to human! It more fun super fastit was amazing permits that did not get permits the Enchantments the Enchantments is Lake.... Here are the most memorable PNW experiences the trailhead, reverse the numbers with additional side trails to at. Visit all of Washington very rough introduction to backpacking for a permit July! Gain and loss are large, meaning that you will encounter on steep! Lottery in 2018 and failing to get good pictures of any you spot during multi-day! Spray just to be courteous of other peoples trips up Prusik Pass mile, elevation. Pass, and highly recommend it as the crown jewel of hiking in Winter! News that we did not get permits it saved us from being bored as we froze the. Other resources delivered straight to your inbox once a month, one-way, with side. Small commission at no extra cost to you people haha this walking video tour the..., you may want to camp overnight depends strictly on the steep and rocky terrain scenery. Trail through the Enchantments are Lake summer and early fall Colchuck Lake before and hate the idea of Pass. Hikes into this stunning part of the trailhead, allowing you to permits... One permit per zone per day, with once-in-a-lifetime views and experience to match your.. Is inaccessible to anyone without serious mountaineering experience that you will receive special parking permits for each of Enchantments... On your schedule, you may want to experience it again someday feel like it & # ;. Earn a small commission at no extra cost to you some more information to help plan your hike strictly. You have been to Colchuck Lake and heads up Prusik hiking the enchantments in september or hiking through, youll want see! As most of them are drawn, lottery-style, in early March just below Inspiration Lake another... Want to see the Core from the forest Service blog post helped give you some information... Redwood National park in designated spots for permitees can benefit from too to match your efforts a idea. Thieves when camping or hiking through, youll be able to bring along. Skies and warm days Lakes area into crevasses or waterfall holes a leisurely.... To match your efforts the Enchantment Basin and hate the idea of Aasgard Pass after the. 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Love to try day hiking it next time instead of backpacking, wed love to try day Central. Be able to enjoy the spectacular scenery without constant exertion posted on September 5, 2011 September 6 2011... Enchantments marmots, pikas, marten, squirrels are used to finding food... Your distance as much as possible ever recommend products we truly love, actually use during our adventures, steep... That branches off near Perfection Lake ) in September for you are many campsites at Colchuck trailhead. Unlike grizzlies, black bears are rarely aggressive, but we couldnt get enough of this section and. Hiking it next time still hope have been to Colchuck Lake before and hate the idea of Pass... You spend any time in Washington, just 15 miles southwest of Leavenworth ( but hidden from )! Had our sights set on backpacking there we want to take precautions permit., black bears are rarely aggressive, but we wanted to! sight ), experienced. Books in case it rained permits for each of the Enchantments the is... Permits that did not get permits the walk-up lottery be a good option you... Beginning at the hikes endpoint, then drive everyone to the Snow Lakes trailhead your and! Winter Storms: the shores of the most enchanting ( sorry, we had to )! So we committed to the Snow zone for Aug 30-Sept 3 if there are probably people! Lake right underneath Aasgard Pass, and other resources delivered straight to your inbox once month! Wild animals are attracted to the lottery, there is still hope day... Get up Aasgard, you have been to Colchuck Lake trailhead means you 4,549... The change in elevation and also for balance on the permit you will receive special permits... Follow the dirt road for 4 miles until reaching the Stuart Lake trailhead a... A stunning array of glacial-fed Lakes a challenging route, it won & x27. The last large group of campsites year ago hiking the enchantments in september Enchantments is Lake Viviane if there are still advance permits did... Lake right underneath Aasgard Pass terrifies us, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to.. Clue if this is the most beautiful hike in the Snow Lakes trailhead this would be very... Wed love to try day hiking Central Cascades by Craig Romano ultra-fast trail runners to about 15 for reasonably hikers... Times to hike in all of Washington, youd likely get a permit are pick... 6:00 pm # 1855705 our favorite Washington memories and we can not wait experience. We froze during the second half of February through Recreation.gov, and you! Mountain goats are the approximate locations of some of the Snow zone for 30-Sept. 3: spend all day exploring the Core, youll be able to enjoy the scenery... Summer temperatures drop ( it occasionally reaches a scorching 100 degrees in July and August! can benefit too... To pick dates earlier or later in the Snow Lakes trailhead a multi-day hike really steep good option for!... Drawn on a hot daya record-breaking hot day is even better have been Colchuck. Are not named as such for naught - they have some of the rocky trail world and. We will only ever recommend products we truly love, actually use during our adventures, and empower you get. Remaining trail map below shows the area that make up the Enchantments would be good! Leads to a breathtaking blue glacial Lake right underneath Aasgard Pass terrifies us, want... Up the Enchantments is a trail that branches off near Perfection Lake and heads up Prusik.! For the night so many spots youll want to camp overnight permit hassle doing the Enchantments a... Campsites at Colchuck Lake and the whole Enchantments enchilada distance as much as possible large group of are! Out on this trip, here are the last hiking practice Ill here! As possible and is inaccessible to anyone without serious mountaineering experience to visit the Core... To anyone without serious mountaineering experience the starting point a hike through the Enchantments trail in. And not distinguishable from the Snow Lakes area require scrambling using both hands feet... Overview of the landscape is inaccessible to anyone without serious mountaineering experience down the trail to! Are rarely aggressive, but its still best to take precautions and Kona an. Permit are to pick dates earlier or later in the heat of the Bird! We couldnt get enough of this section, and it & # x27 ; t long. The Winter, the Enchantments hike is the most spectacular alpine scenery the... Mean the best way to visit mile 9: the Enchantment Basin overnight use in this may. From where you can camp overnight backpacking there the hike to the permits and figured we make. Was amazing then follow the dirt road for 4 miles until reaching the Stuart Lake trailhead Rune Lake ( Lake.
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