While we did not get lucky, that method will increase your chances. We are big fans of Wild Zora backpacking meals, especially the beef ones, as they are super natural and healthy. Camping here is best on two-night backpacking trips. I know prime time for the Enchantments is late September, when the larches are out and the lakes are all melted, but there's something sort of magic about the place under snow, too. The below table is the monthly average temperatures for Leavenworth. You'll need that chill hike day, because you will have just come over Aasgard Pass at 7,800 feet. Enter: Christie, our Enchantments savior. Local groups often provide introductory courses on backpacking and camping, which would be good practice before embarking on an Enchantments trip. Sign up for our newsletter and well send you insider information and helpful tips about hiking, camping, and all things outdoor adventures! Mountain goats are the most prevalent wildlife youll encounter. It is mostly just super bumpy, rocky, and steep. Mileage: 20ish, 4600 Elevation gain/ 6000 elevation loss. On a journey to Alaska in @brisketthevan The permit season for the Enchantments is between May 15 and October 31. McClellan Peak, Little Annapurna, Dragontail Peak, and Pusik Pass are all accessible from the Core. These permits can be difficult to secure, as most of them are drawn on a lottery. Your email address will not be published. Nearly devoid of vegetation, the landscape has been molded by ancient glacial activity, with countless sparkling blue lakes dotting the dramatic rock formations. The 18-mile trail through the Enchantment Lakes, up to the high alpine at almost 8,000 feet above sea level, is perhaps the state's most infamous and beloved route. Its a good idea to pack bear spray just to be safe. In the Lee of Winter Storms: The Enchantment Basin. The odds are even lower if youre applying for a permit in July or August. Early Summer While hiking in June still requires a permit, you run the risk of the trail being heavily covered in snow. Your email address will not be published. I read a review that said it was really steep. To reach the Snow Lakes trailhead to drop a car for your return trip, you will need to head into Leavenworth. Mar 18, 2012 at 6:00 pm #1855705. 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. With a daypack, the scrambling isnt too bad (I hate rock scrambling and didnt cry! We only recommend products we truly love, actually use during our adventures, and think you can benefit from too! At one end, the hike begins at the Stuart Lake Trailhead. 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. Wildlife sightings are extremely common while hiking the Enchantments, including mountain goats, marmots, deer, picas, and the very occasional black bear. Always maintain a very safe distance from wildlife, and take care of your business well away from the trail and campsites! Want to discover more trails in Washington? Most hikers start from Stuart Lake, and we recommend this direction as well. The Enchantments is a classic Washington hike. 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. There are five total regions: Eightmile/Caroline, Stuart, Colchuck, Core, and Snow. *If you choose to us your phone for navigation, be sure to bring a reliable battery pack to charge your phone. Another good spot to check out is Yodelin. Not in June. 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. We managed to score a 5 day permit in the snow zone for Aug 30-Sept 3. The trail through the Enchantments is also very rocky and uneven, further increasing the difficulty of the hike. Positive Elev. 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. When to Hike The Enchantments. 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. Mile 13.5: If you prefer to travel a litter further on your final day, a few campsites are located near Nada Lake. However, its worth the effort! While we recommend bringing everything from our backpacking packing list, there are a handful of items that were especially nice to have with us! This can be a good place to plan for a night of rest if downhill hiking presents difficulty. A lot of people were doing this and it is allowed. As an Airbnb Associate, we may earn a commission when you book through our links, at no extra cost to you. The trail up Aasgard Pass looks a little unlike a trail at times, with the steep terrain and loose footing requiring hands-and-feet scrambling to reach the top. Directions To Stuart Lake Trailhead: Drive the US2 west out of Leavenworth. 15 Best Hikes in North Cascades National Park, 11 Best Waterfalls in Washington State + Hikes to Find Them, How to Get From Seattle to Bainbridge Island (By Ferry or Road Trip! 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. We day hiked to Eightmile Lake a couple years ago and it was beautiful, although not as scenic as some of the other Enchantment lakes (like Colchuck). 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. The Traverse runs through the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, and as you might guessit passes by a stunning array of glacial-fed lakes. I'm a decent hiker but some of the bouldering is more . If youre hiking the Enchantments by yourself or dont have two vehicles, there are other options. While youll have no cell phone service, being able to charge your phone to take photos, look at a map, etc is crucial. We have a leisurely morning, then set out on a meandering dayhike up through the snow into the Upper Core. These make for the best overnight spots in the Enchantments overall. We got passed by a lot of people haha. Colchuck: One of the most popular day hikes in Washington is Colchuck Lake. To help plan your trip, here are the approximate locations of some of the most common campsites along the trail. 14 days ago. Hiking poles are a good idea to help with the change in elevation and also for balance on the steep and rocky terrain. Core: The most popular (and coveted) area is the Core zone, which is where the majority of the lakes reside. However, dont count on this as a guarantee it is far better to try to secure an Enchantments permit in advance. Bear hangs are not recommended, as there are not good trees to implement a proper bear hang to keep food away from wildlife. 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. Once you ascend the Enchantments Core, youll be able to enjoy the spectacular scenery without constant exertion. Our friends had some and we were a taddddd jealous when their legs were nice and dry!If its warm out, bring a swimsuit so you can swim in one of the lakes! Turn left onto Icicle Creek Road. A hike through the Enchantments is a very strenuous hike. Something we wish we had brought were waterproof pants. Matthew H. BPL Member. Once the trail reaches Leprechaun Lake, you are in the Lower Enchantment area, a section marked by narrow rock ledges and the towering McClellan Peak. 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. Hiking up Aasgard Pass means that the remaining 13 miles of trail are generally downhill. This was our base camp from where we would climb the steep Crystal Creek valley and . Ambitious day hikers will be richly rewarded for tackling all 20 miles in a day. After you finish your hike, its time to celebrate! Youll share the first part of the trail into the Enchantments with many fellow hikers since its one of the best (and closest!) Adam, Kathryn, & Kona It is one of our favorite Washington memories and we cannot wait to experience it again someday! Hiking the Enchantments is one of the most memorable PNW experiences. This 24 mile, 6,200 elevation gain permit only hike leads to the tallest mountain in the contiguous US. And it's tough getting there. An irregular pond due to its shape, not because of the presence of a real leprechaun, Leprechaun Lake sits under the steep ridges of McClelland Peak. (Sa. 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. Sign up to get travel updates, guides, vlogs, and other resources delivered straight to your inbox once a month! Anytime! This means that you will start at one trailhead and end your hike at another, without retracing your steps. This is actually the highest elevation point on the entire trail, so from here, the rest of the hike is mostly downhill. 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. The route is described below beginning at the Stuart Lake Trailhead. On a four day backpacking trip you can take day trips from camp to explore over a dozen crystal clear lakes, summit surrounding peaks, and camp at an alpine lake of your choice! 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 Those on the longer end tend to linger longer at the lakes. See our topo map of the route. a little bit of snow on the trail even in early September 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!) September 30, 2022. 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. The Enchantments are an absolutely amazing alpine wonderland located in central Washington state. 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. If you spend any time in Washington, it won't take long to hear about the Enchantments. Just have a few questions. 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?! 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