$18.95 Alpine Lakes East Stuart Range, WA No. 25. r/hiking. 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! 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. The abundance of granite-carved lakes in the Enchantments makes the area a wonderful spot to explore at a leisurely pace. Youre all packed and now its time to start the hike! 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. 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. With a daypack, the scrambling isnt too bad (I hate rock scrambling and didnt cry! There are so many spots youll want to sit and relish the view! Mountain goats are the most prevalent wildlife youll encounter. 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. Ever since moving to Washington and learning about this beautiful region, we had our sights set on backpacking there. Day 4: Hike out through Snow Lake. In this guide, well share how to best experience hiking the Enchantments, whether on a day trip or as a multi-day camping experience. The route is described below beginning at the Stuart Lake Trailhead. Negative Elev. . Warning: this will be a long and exhausting day! And any other tips on some good campsites? The trail in this area passes by stunning spots like aptly-named Lake Perfection and Lake Vivianne while continuously dropping in elevation towards Snow Lake. The trail through the Enchantments is also very rocky and uneven, further increasing the difficulty of the hike. It is never acceptable to clean pots by submerging them in a natural body of water. Its a bit of a pain to carry, but worth it to avoid any mishaps with wildlife. The first frost usually comes in mid-October. These campsites are located along the shoreline and provide excellent views of the brilliantly blue lake. Whenever you decide to continue on, be prepared for continuation of the rocky trail. Elev. 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. 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. 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. In late spring to early summer, the Enchantments core basin is still snow-covered. I started out building the ability to walk 5-7 miles without flagging, then practiced climbing up steep hills. : 1312 ft. the enchantments hiking washington day hike In October, unpredictable snowstorms start to roll into the higher elevations, making the trail dangerous. To avoid these food thieves when camping or hiking through, youll want to keep your food in an animal-proof container. Just outside of the Bavarian town of Leavenworth, the Enchantments are part of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness filled with pristine glacial lakes surrounded by towering granite peaks. The hike is a mixture of a regular dirt trail and rock scrambling. Located in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness of Washington state, this is a wonderland of alpine lakes, jagged mountains, and waterfalls. My dad. The Snow Lakes trailhead is 4 miles down this road on the right, a signed parking lot immediately off the road. Good mealsAfter a long day of hiking, there is nothing better than a hot meal. But once you get up Aasgard, you have an alpine lake filled playground to call home for the night. Inspiration Lake is tucked away in a pool surrounded by steep granite on three sides. 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. For this multi-night backpacking adventure, make sure you are prepared with the right gear. Enchantments Backpacking Trip. 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. And it's tough getting there. Up is easier than down, especially at the beginning of a long hike! The lakes and rocks will be melted off, allowing you to fully see them. It is a great option if you have been to Colchuck Lake before and hate the idea of Aasgard Pass! The maximum group size is 8 people. Turn left onto Icicle Creek Road. To apply, you will need to choose an entry date, group size, permit zone, assign an alternate group leader, and pay the application fee. Additionally, an overnight or multi-day journey into the Enchantments allows you to experience swimming and relaxing on alpine lakeshores, the chance to explore side trails, and waking up in some truly stunning camping spots. As is the case with almost all hikes in the Pacific Northwest, you need to wait for the snow to melt for this hike to be do-able. But the wait, stress, and uncertainty of getting to access this area is worth it!Note: Dogs are not allowed in the Enchantments. 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 For the broadest swim experience, do the Enchantment Traverse, a 21-mile hike starting at the Colchuck Lake Trailhead (Mountaineer Creek) and ending at the Snow Creek Trailhead. During warm dry summer days in July and August, you will also need to be prepared for hot afternoons. May, June, September and October are considered "shoulder seasons" and visitors can expect to encounter snow and winter-like conditions. If you are looking for an epic day hike, check out our Colchuck Lake trail guide for all the info you need! Early Summer While hiking in June still requires a permit, you run the risk of the trail being heavily covered in snow. With your permit you will receive special parking permits for each of the trailhead, allowing you to park in designated spots for permitees. You cant go wrong with overnighting at any of the five lakes; theyre all stunning! Our friends all brought Mountain House meals and loved theirs too! 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. and permits are also a little easier to come by. 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. Theyre especially perfect for people spending just one night on the trail, since youll conquer most of the elevation on the first day and have nothing but downhill miles the second. To overnight between May and October, however, a lottery permit is required. And after you eat dinner, make sure to go grab some ice cream from Whistlepunk! This can be a good place to plan for a night of rest if downhill hiking presents difficulty. And our favorite way to celebrate? Anytime! Note: in 2019 they reduced the number of permits due to wildfire damage. Tucked away in a particularly rugged area of Washington, just accessing this beautiful environment takes substantial planning. I booked this time as I wanted the beautiful golden larches. As the trail winds through the lakes surrounded by lichen-covered rocks beneath the rugged mountain peaks, you will find more campsites. Sounds like you know what you're doing - it will be an adventure. There are numerous epic campsites along the trail; however, where you can camp overnight depends strictly on the permit you receive. Hello from the Florida Keys! 4.73 out of 5. The Enchantments live up to the hype and dazzle hikers willing to overcome the elevation gain needed to visit this high alpine paradise. The Enchantments are an absolutely amazing alpine wonderland located in central Washington state. Wander around the Core a bitDay 3: Spend all day exploring the Core. GOOD TO KNOW: most people who thru-hike the entire Enchantments will start at the Stuart Lake Trailhead and end at the Snow Lake . 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. 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. This is a helpful article as I plan my permit asks and hopeful my hike. Most people prefer to backpack in the Enchantments during the summer months, to enjoy the clear blue lakes and granite rocks. :) 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. However, space on the shuttles is limited and they dont always operate on weekdays, so its best to book well in advance. However, its worth the effort! This 18-mile point-to-point traverse climbs up and over the heart of the mountain range, affording you the opportunity to soak in the grandeur of the Enchantments. 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. Hiking the Enchantments is one of the most memorable PNW experiences. https://linktr.ee/kraig00:00 Hiking Aasgard Pass in the Enchantments4:29 Leavenworth Bavarian Village5:46 Hiking Guide and Behind the Scenes living on the road in ourself-converted sprinter van! After getting b, Our beautiful home in Mrida! Soon, the forest reappears and its a foot-battering descent down to the Snow Lake trailhead. Once you ascend the Enchantments Core, youll be able to enjoy the spectacular scenery without constant exertion. The smaller creatures in the Enchantments marmots, pikas, marten, squirrels are used to finding human food around backpacks and tents. One thing thats good to know is that we saw a lot of different mileage reports for this hike. 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. A hike through the Enchantments is a very strenuous hike. Yay, congrats! Your email address will not be published. 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. ), 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). The trail crosses over a wooden bridge at this point, marking the end of the Enchantment Lakes basin. 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. They are pit toilets, but its good for a last minute bathroom break before hitting the trail! We hope to inform, inspire, and empower you to get outside, see this incredible world, and find your WILD! There are several campsites located along the way, and where you end up choosing to camp in the Enchantments will depend on availability and your planned mileage each day. Even if you dont see other hikers, there are probably other people who can hear your music. Take a left at this intersection, then follow the dirt road for 4 miles until reaching the Stuart Lake trailhead. The most challenging section of the trail is between Colchuck Lake and the Core Enchantment Zone. If you begin at the lower Snow Creek Trailhead, reverse the numbers. First, there is an accepted right-of way when hiking on a trail. Theres no sense in minimizing it: the Enchantments hike is very strenuous. Where did yall set up your tent and take that photo from the inside looking out??? 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. Last year, I did the hike up to the summit of Mt. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hello there! You may also be able to snag a spot later in the evening when day hikers are leaving. Once we reached the top of the pass, however, it was all worthwhile! Toughest thing I have done. This is the last Enchantments campsite location on the way out to the end of the trail. Looking up from Leprechaun Lake: My dad: Youll share the first part of the trail into the Enchantments with many fellow hikers since its one of the best (and closest!) 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