Mar 18, 2012 at 6:00 pm #1855705. Directions To Stuart Lake Trailhead: Drive the US2 west out of Leavenworth. When you are being approached by faster hikers from behind, it is also courtesy to let them pass. 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?)! Ensure you know the correct routes and have the gear to keep you safe. 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. First, there is an accepted right-of way when hiking on a trail. 208SX by Green Trails Maps . Overview of the Enchantments Hike Length of Time: 8 to 15 hours. Note: this guide contains affiliate links, which means that if you use the links provided and make a purchase, we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. The permits for the Enchantments area are divided into zones. These make for the best overnight spots in the Enchantments overall. The Traverse runs through the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, and as you might guessit passes by a stunning array of glacial-fed lakes. Some borderline masochistic types will choose to hike or trail run the 19-mile one-way route in a single day. 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. As you head down from Isolation and Tranquil Lakes, the terrain changes from the smooth granite rocks to alpine meadows. 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. The Enchantments is a region in Washington, just 15 miles southwest of Leavenworth, a super cute Bavarian village town. The lakes and rocks will be melted off, allowing you to fully see them. To reach the Snow Lakes trailhead to drop a car for your return trip, you will need to head into Leavenworth. But once you get up Aasgard, you have an alpine lake filled playground to call home for the night. If you spend any time in Washington, it won't take long to hear about the Enchantments. More than a dozen high alpine lakes carved in granite. Our first time, we were lucky enough to score camping permits and spend a few amazing days in this slice of paradise. Ever since moving to Washington and learning about this beautiful region, we had our sights set on backpacking there. Mile 7: The next campsites are located just below the Upper Enchantment Lakes just before the trail descends down the ridge. Here you will also encounter larches, the iconic coniferous tree with deciduous needles that turn bright yellow before they drop for the winter. Mountain goats are the most prevalent wildlife youll encounter. Whitney in CA as a day hike. That is awesome! Since youll be at a higher elevation, the nights may get cool. 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. 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. Its not at all uncommon for other hikers to help with shuttling! As an Airbnb Associate, we may earn a commission when you book through our links, at no extra cost to you. The environment here has turned from granite rocks to alpine marsh and meadow, full of grass and heather. I had done no training barring weekly hikes in LA and it took me 20 hours to complete it. The setting is absolutely beautiful, but camping here leaves the bulk of the hike, including Aasgard Pass, for the next day. 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. The summer temperatures drop (it occasionally reaches a scorching 100 degrees in July and August!) (Sa. Warning: this will be a long and exhausting day! The final group of campsites is at Snow Lake and Nada Lake, after quite a bit of descent and just a few miles from the Snow Lakes Trailhead. The first frost usually comes in mid-October. The summer temperatures drop (it occasionally reaches a scorching 100 degrees in July and August!) 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. 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. But on March 20, we got the disappointing news that we did not get permits. Are you planning on carrying them the entire way? This informative video shows you how! Toughest thing I have done. Camping spots are limited, but when possible, put your tent up away from other tents to give other campers privacy. We spent hours doing this one day and it saved us from being bored as we were cooped up in our tent! A lot of people were doing this and it is allowed. This is what we planned to do, but Mother Nature had other ideas. We hope to inform, inspire, and empower you to get outside, see this incredible world, and find your WILD! In this video, we provide a complete day hiking guide so you can complete the. To day hike in the Enchantments, only a NW Forest Pass is needed. Turn left onto Icicle Creek Road. Note: We did not visit all of these spots due to timing, but we wanted to! At the end of your trip, you will use the car at the Snow Lakes trailhead to return to the car you left at the Stuart Lakes trailhead. With FOOD! If you only want to see the Core, this would be a good option for you! If you click through a link on Small Town Washington, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This 24 mile, 6,200 elevation gain permit only hike leads to the tallest mountain in the contiguous US. This is the route we did. This is the most recent attempt to mitigate the parking shortage at the trailheads. These days experience the least precipitation and are most likely to have clear skies and warm days. The ideal time to hike the Enchantments trail for warm and dry weather is late July and August. While taking pictures and enjoying the company, you will need to keep your distance to keep yourself and the animals safe. The lakes clear, blue (and freeeezing cold!) Once you finish hiking, you can use the vehicle at the end to go back and retrieve the other one. To avoid these food thieves when camping or hiking through, youll want to keep your food in an animal-proof container. Clothing itemsLayers are a great idea any time of the year while hiking the Enchantments. 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. The best chances of obtaining a permit are to pick dates earlier or later in the season and avoid major holidays. Additionally, this is where you'll get to do some off-trail excursions. If you begin at the lower Snow Creek Trailhead, reverse the numbers. 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. 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. 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. As we mentioned, we did not end up going to Aasgard Pass, so we cannot speak to that experience, but we can attest that the lakes at the top are magical! En route, youll spot the craggy peaks of the Enchantments without a thigh-burning climb. Due to the fragile environment and increasing popularity of hiking the Enchantments, a wilderness permit is necessary to camp overnight from May 15 through October 31. The Enchantments as a whole is gorgeous, but there are a few spots that you should especially check out and spend some time at. Early Summer While hiking in June still requires a permit, you run the risk of the trail being heavily covered in snow. CRAZY! And the quote about toilet paper is directly from the LNT website, but we agree that you should pack everything out and we carry ziplocs and trash bags to do so. All Rights Reserved. I've been trying to prep by putting some weights in my backpack and hiking up and down the hills by my house. Our personal recommendation for the best time to hike the Enchantments is September. Were talking beautiful wilderness full of clear alpine lakes, granite rocks, and vistas of sharp peaks. 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. With a daypack, the scrambling isnt too bad (I hate rock scrambling and didnt cry! . 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. 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. External chargerThis is a must for a multi-day backpacking trip! Join. Regardless of the time of year of your hike, this is a mountainous alpine hike, and it is important to pack a range of layers for clothing, including enough warm layers in case the weather turns bad. $18.00 Tags: Day Hiking Share this Page: In late spring to early summer, the Enchantments core basin is still snow-covered. Each campsite listed has a wilderness toilet for your use and to preserve the natural beauty of the area. ), but we made it down the road in one piece. Although it may look too formidable to even attempt, the beautiful craggy peak behind Colchuck Lake is where the Enchantments hike continues. This is where we parked our van because we thought we would exit the trail this way. In this guide, well share how to best experience hiking the Enchantments, whether on a day trip or as a multi-day camping experience. This is a great campsite if you are planning a short first day of hiking. Required fields are marked *. Mile 8: Just below Inspiration Lake is another group of campsites. 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. Unfortunately, weve missed out on all our other attempts at the lottery (some locals joke that the lottery is their annual donation). Enchantments Backpacking Trip. During warm dry summer days in July and August, you will also need to be prepared for hot afternoons. However, there is no easy way to get there. 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! When to Hike The Enchantments. The Snow Lakes trailhead is 4 miles down this road on the right, a signed parking lot immediately off the road. Hiking the Enchantments means your jaw will drop at every turn. While we did not get lucky, that method will increase your chances. 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. Were Adam, Kathryn, and Kona, an adventurous married couple (+ pup!) Perfection Lake is another clear, shallow alpine lake, perhaps more beautiful than the previous ones (hence its name, perhaps!). To enter the permit lottery, you will first need to apply during the annual permit lottery (exact dates vary by year). 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 Snow Lake. One thing thats good to know is that we saw a lot of different mileage reports for this hike. This is a helpful article as I plan my permit asks and hopeful my hike. If you choose to climb up Aasgard Pass, as recommended in this guide, you will be carrying a full overnight pack with the food up 2,000 feet of elevation gain in less than a mile. This area is called Aasgard Pass, and it's a lung-straining 2,000-ft climb in just under a mile. Once you ascend the Enchantments Core, youll be able to enjoy the spectacular scenery without constant exertion. Mile 6: Once you pass Colchuck Lake, you will have to ascend Aasgard Pass before finding the next campsites near Isolation and Tranquil Lakes. If you begin at the Stuart Lake Trailhead and go up by way of Colchuck Lake and Aasgard Pass, you'll have 6,000 vertical feet of elevation gain and 7,800 vertical feet of elevation loss. Your email address will not be published. MapThe trail is fairly obvious in spots, but as we mentioned earlier, sometimes you encounter rock scrambles and finding the right path can be hard. Colchuck Lake: Stuart Lake Trailhead to first view of the lake4.2 miles (one way)2,200 ft elevation gain. Leave a car here for your return and continue down Icicle Creek Road towards the Stuart Lake Trailhead. Adam, Kathryn, & Kona They headed up to Lake Stewart and up to Asgard Pass. If you arent up to completing the entire thru-hike, there are multiple shorter trails in the Enchantments. Although many are also strenuous, they still make fantastic hikes into this stunning part of the Cascades! There are five permit zones: Core Enchantment, Snow Lake, Colchuck Lake, Stuart Lake, and the Eightmile/Caroline zone. 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!) Black bear sightings are very uncommon here, but do occasionally happen. : 7982 ft. Max Elev. To overnight between May and October, however, a lottery permit is required. If you are looking for an epic day hike, check out our Colchuck Lake trail guide for all the info you need! 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. 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. $18.95 Alpine Lakes East Stuart Range, WA No. 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! This is a steep, bumpy, potholed dirt road (I take my RV down many dirt roads but I wouldn't drive it on this). Permits: The most challenging section of the trail is between Colchuck Lake and the Core Enchantment Zone. HeadlampsHaving a headlamp is not only one of the 10 hiking essentials, but is especially important if you plan to hike for sunrise, or just have to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night. Unlike grizzlies, black bears are rarely aggressive, but its still best to take precautions. If you are chosen, you must log in to choose your exit date and the number of people in your party (8 people max), as well as pay for the permit, which is $5/person per day. This day-hike only shares a couple of miles of the Enchantments Trail, bypassing most of the crowds for solitude in a stunning valley. Those on the longer end tend to linger longer at the lakes. 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. The Enchantments is a collection of alpine lakes nestled amongst tall granite peaks and spires in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness in Washington. Redwood National Park in California - (https://youtu.be . Nestled in the Cascade Mountains, the Enchantments is full of alpine lakes, rocky peaks, larches, mountain goats, and incredible views. The hope for most is that dry sunny weather will coincide with whatever dates the luck of the draw has bestowed on them. 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. 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!). Were Adam, Kathryn, and Kona, an adventurous married couple (+ pup!) At this time, applicants must choose an exit date and provide payment for the permits. 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! We were so thankful we brought layers as we froze during the hike. October 11, 2021. 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. 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. 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. Will travel for tacos, BBQ, & ice cream Backpacking The Enchantments The Enchantments is a region in Washington state with a group of pristine alpine lakes that can only be accessed by foot. 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. The zone is named after Snow Lake, the final lake before you climb up into the Core zone. It is mostly just super bumpy, rocky, and steep. 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. The trail through the Enchantments is also very rocky and uneven, further increasing the difficulty of the hike. The trail through the Enchantments is also very rocky and uneven, further increasing the difficulty of the hike. Are you planning on carrying them the entire way to you placed in bags. Mile 8: just below Inspiration Lake is where we parked our van because we thought we would exit trail... 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