McClellan Peak, Little Annapurna, Dragontail Peak, and Pusik Pass are all accessible from the Core. 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. Many consider it one of the most beautiful areas of the state. The route is described below beginning at the Stuart Lake Trailhead. 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. Good mealsAfter a long day of hiking, there is nothing better than a hot meal. places in Washington and in this guide we're sharing all of our tips for hiking the Enchantments, including how to get permits, what to pack, different route options, and things to know before you go!This past September we got to kn. 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?)! 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. Website built with love byDreamworthy Design. Most backpackers choose to visit during this window. However, space on the shuttles is limited and they dont always operate on weekdays, so its best to book well in advance. The odds are even lower if youre applying for a permit in July or August. These permits can be difficult to secure, as most of them are drawn on a lottery. day hikes near Leavenworth. Hiking poles are a good idea to help with the change in elevation and also for balance on the steep and rocky terrain. One of the most scenic hikes in the region, this hike passes several waterfalls and glacial lakes before climbing to Snow Lake. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hello there! The smaller creatures in the Enchantments marmots, pikas, marten, squirrels are used to finding human food around backpacks and tents. This will give you time to cool off and avoid hiking in the heat of the day. The zone is named after Snow Lake, the final lake before you climb up into the Core zone. As you approach Leavenworth from the west on Highway 2, you will turn onto Icicle Creek Road on the edge of town. The below table is the monthly average temperatures for Leavenworth. End: Snow Lakes Trailhead. In the winter, the Enchantments is buried in deep snowpack and is inaccessible to anyone without serious mountaineering experience. The summer temperatures drop (it occasionally reaches a scorching 100 degrees in July and August!) However, dont count on this as a guarantee it is far better to try to secure an Enchantments permit in advance. To apply, you will need to choose an entry date, group size, permit zone, assign an alternate group leader, and pay the application fee. The trail through the Enchantments is 18 miles, one-way, with additional side trails to explore the surrounding lakes. 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. Last year, I did the hike up to the summit of Mt. Mileage: 20ish, 4600 Elevation gain/ 6000 elevation loss. I had done no training barring weekly hikes in LA and it took me 20 hours to complete it. Note to everyone: Aasgard Pass is a misnomer. These campsites are located along the shoreline and provide excellent views of the brilliantly blue lake. 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! 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. The trail through the Enchantments is also very rocky and uneven, further increasing the difficulty of the hike. Although this is difficult, many people prefer this option to hiking the other direction, which involves a much longer strenuous uphill section of trail. Wander around the Core a bitDay 3: Spend all day exploring the Core. Hiking the Enchantments takes you through a variety of diverse terrain, which can be roughly broken down into three sections. 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. The Enchantments is a collection of alpine lakes nestled amongst tall granite peaks and spires in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness in Washington. Up is easier than down, especially at the beginning of a long hike! We couldnt get enough of this section, and highly recommend it as the best for camping! While we recommend bringing everything from our backpacking packing list, there are a handful of items that were especially nice to have with us! 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. But the best partshe got six permits, which meant that Yvonne, Jeffrey, Adam, and myself could all go with her and her boyfriend Jackson! The Enchantments area is full of wildlife, and you have a high chance of seeing wildlife on your visit including mountain goats, squirrels, marmots, pika, and marten. They headed up to Lake Stewart and up to Asgard Pass. Both trailheads get really busy, so arrive early! Through-hiking the Enchantments in one day will challenge and reward you, but it's not for everyone. : 5814 ft. The increasingly jaw-dropping views are the only distraction from the heart-pumping exertion. ), most of the high alpine terrain is still covered in snow and the lakes are frozen. Then, youd likely get a long rambling list of epic places weve been or those were itching to visit. 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. Mile 7: The next campsites are located just below the Upper Enchantment Lakes just before the trail descends down the ridge. : 1312 ft. the enchantments hiking washington day hike hiking the Enchantments, WA. In either direction, the trail is stunning, offering views across the Cascades and passing by numerous bright-blue glacial lakes and chiseled mountain peaks. Plan your hike for mid-July to mid-September, and check both trip reports and weather forecasts before getting started. Not sure where to start? 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. Since youll be at a higher elevation, the nights may get cool. 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. These days experience the least precipitation and are most likely to have clear skies and warm days. It is never acceptable to clean pots by submerging them in a natural body of water. Everything you bring in needs to be taken out this includes trash, fruit peels, etc. This is a very popular area for backpacking, camping, and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. 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. The maximum group size is 8 people. Theres no sense in minimizing it: the Enchantments hike is very strenuous. Hiking through the Enchantments core is beautiful and memorable. We will only ever recommend products we truly love, actually use during our adventures, and think you can benefit from too! - Stock Photos provided by our partner Depositphotos, Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, Hi yall! Many avoid the Permit hassle doing the Enchantments as a long day 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. You cant go wrong with overnighting at any of the five lakes; theyre all stunning! Winning is completely up to luck, which is the hard part of the lottery system. ), 6 Great Places to Celebrate Christmas in Washington, 21 World-Class Weekend Getaways in Washington State, Microspikes & gaiters, if hiking when there might be snow. In early September, Mrs. Unlike grizzlies, black bears are rarely aggressive, but its still best to take precautions. 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. The level of difficulty and sheer distance of the trail mean the best way to experience this area is via a multi-day hike. Obviously, for this, you will need two drivers in your party and two cars! The Yucatn Peninsula is the heart of the ancient, The cenotes tour we booked through @airbnbexperien. In February I put in the permit application for the enchantments as I heard everyone talking about it. The busy September peak golden larches day we hiked the trail, around 95% of people hiking The Enchantments began at Stuart / Colchuck Lake trailhead and ended at Snow Lake trailhead. Drive 4 miles past the Snow Lakes parking lot until you reach FS Road 7601. Where is the Enchantments hike? I booked this time as I wanted the beautiful golden larches. En route, youll spot the craggy peaks of the Enchantments without a thigh-burning climb. Mile 9: The next major group of campsites are located between Leprechaun Lake and Lake Viviane. 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. It'll vary depending on how many breaks are taken for how long and if you can trail-run parts of it. 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. Heres a quick rundown of each one! 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. 208SX by Green Trails Maps . THE ENCHANTMENTS TRAIL BREAKDOWN. The Enchantments are one of the most enchanting (sorry, we had to!) Each campsite listed has a wilderness toilet for your use and to preserve the natural beauty of the area. 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. Perfect for swimming and relaxing, the lake is accessed via a steady climb, mostly through shady forest. The trail is steep and rocky, resembling your climb up Aasgard Pass. : 7982 ft. Max Elev. Some particularly adventurous skiers and snowshoers attempt the trail during the winter, but thats only advised for very experienced winter sports enthusiasts. 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. This is a great campsite if you are planning a short first day of hiking. Warning: this will be a long and exhausting day! 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. Nestled in the Cascade Mountains, the Enchantments is full of alpine lakes, rocky peaks, larches, mountain goats, and incredible views. To reach the Snow Lakes trailhead to drop a car for your return trip, you will need to head into Leavenworth. Youre all packed and now its time to start the hike! 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! Note: in 2019 they reduced the number of permits due to wildfire damage. 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. And to watch our experience, check out our vlog below! Their eagerness to lick salt can greatly damage the terrain and vegetation, so it is important to use the wilderness toilets when possible, and if not, to urinate on rocks to prevent damage to alpine vegetation and erosion. Permits: 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 Enchantments is a region in Washington, just 15 miles southwest of Leavenworth, a super cute Bavarian village town. by Craig Romano . From Lake Viviane, the trail descends steeply down towards the Snow Lakes. I started out building the ability to walk 5-7 miles without flagging, then practiced climbing up steep hills. The Enchantment Lakes are an alpine wonderland of pristine lakes set among polished granite, soaring peaks, blazing larches, and ambling mountain goats. Stuart: The Stuart zone is named after Lake Stuart, which is a 9 mile round trip hike. Day 1: Hike to Colchuck Lake and set up campDay 2: Hike up Aasgard Pass and find a good camping spot in the Core. 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 24 mile, 6,200 elevation gain permit only hike leads to the tallest mountain in the contiguous US. But dont worry, if you dont get one, a day hike is still super worth it! As the trail winds through the lakes surrounded by lichen-covered rocks beneath the rugged mountain peaks, you will find more campsites. I read a review that said it was really steep. The environment here has turned from granite rocks to alpine marsh and meadow, full of grass and heather. If you click through a link on Small Town Washington, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. 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). 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. 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. In this video, we provide a complete day hiking guide so you can complete the. 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. Posted on September 5, 2011 September 6, 2011 by Rick Mc. Its a bit of a pain to carry, but worth it to avoid any mishaps with wildlife. They are pit toilets, but its good for a last minute bathroom break before hitting the trail! You can also find information on AllTrails (Colchuck Lake, the Enchantments). Once here, depending on your schedule, you may want to camp overnight. We had to use our hands for balance as we slooowly clambered up what seemed like a near-vertical route. Some random moments from our two weeks in Mrida! Hiking the Enchantments is one of the most memorable PNW experiences. Permits. When is the best season to go? 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. Ive done this as a thru hike, ending at snow lake TH, taking about 14hrs total. In the summer, these will look like any other green coniferous tree unless you look for the distinctive bundles of needles coming off the branches. The division of However, our friends had to park on the side of the road. However, since these are averages it is best to be prepared for a wide range of temperatures during your trip. We arrived at Stuart/Colchuck at 7 AM and got the last overnight permit spot and there were lots of day hikers that were struggling to park. No clue if this is beneficial but it does feel like it's getting easier. Sounds like you know what you're doing - it will be an adventure. The setting is absolutely beautiful, but camping here leaves the bulk of the hike, including Aasgard Pass, for the next day. During warm dry summer days in July and August, you will also need to be prepared for hot afternoons. This website contains affiliate links from websites such as Amazon.com, Booking.com, and Rentalcars.com. We bought a new water filter for the trip and the water filtered super fastit was amazing! If you are cooking in the alpine, research proper techniques for cleaning pots and pans. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 12 h 12 min to complete. Here you will also encounter larches, the iconic coniferous tree with deciduous needles that turn bright yellow before they drop for the winter. 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. living on the road in ourself-converted sprinter van! Permits and permit information is available on the Recreation.gov Portal. With your permit you will receive special parking permits for each of the trailhead, allowing you to park in designated spots for permitees. External chargerThis is a must for a multi-day backpacking trip! But one of the places that would undoubtedly make the list is The Enchantments Wilderness Area. 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. 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. When you apply, you select your entry date and location and pay a $10 non-refundable application fee. Our first time, we were lucky enough to score camping permits and spend a few amazing days in this slice of paradise. 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. 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 main reason to day-hike the Enchantments is that doing so means you dont need a hard-to-get camping permit. 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. This way, youll knock out most of the elevation gain in the first quarter of the hike. The abundance of granite-carved lakes in the Enchantments makes the area a wonderful spot to explore at a leisurely pace. If there are still advance permits that did not sell, they will also give these away during the walk-up lottery. Were Adam, Kathryn, and Kona, an adventurous married couple (+ pup!) 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. Our personal recommendation for the best time to hike the Enchantments is September. Youll share the first part of the trail into the Enchantments with many fellow hikers since its one of the best (and closest!) In this guide, well share how to best experience hiking the Enchantments, whether on a day trip or as a multi-day camping experience. Day and overnight visitors need to check the weather and be prepared for all weather types throughout the season. Snow: This is the zone we camped in during our time in the Enchantments. Additionally, this is where you'll get to do some off-trail excursions. Youll want to make sure you go to the bathroom 200 feet from a water source and that you dig a hole 6-8 inches deep and 4-6 inches in diameter. Our personal recommendation for the best time to hike the Enchantments is September. The first campsites are at Lake Colchuck, about four miles into the hike. The trail crosses over a wooden bridge at this point, marking the end of the Enchantment Lakes basin. These sites are perfect if you have two nights on the trail or if you get a late start the first day. The mountain goats in particular are habituated to visitors. If you have two nights, spend some extra time exploring the side trails and lakes in this area. Matthew H. BPL Member. Its a good idea to pack bear spray just to be safe. Prior experience will help prepare you for the Enchantments hike and make it more fun! Check out our 37 favorite hikes in Washington! It is a great option if you have been to Colchuck Lake before and hate the idea of Aasgard Pass! The summer temperatures drop (it occasionally reaches a scorching 100 degrees in July and August!) 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 one of the most enchanting (sorry, we had to!) So I'm also going to try to do the Enchantments this year. Instead of backpacking, wed love to try day hiking it next time. :) To overnight between May and October, however, a lottery permit is required. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This is the last Enchantments campsite location on the way out to the end of the trail. The trail steadily climbs through dense forest, with increasingly picturesque views of the valley below. The Enchantments is a classic Washington hike. While most of the trail isn't very technically challenging, it's brutal in that it's very long and steep. This ethereal landscape of lakes, basins, and rugged peaks is a delightful place to hike through. 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. Sign up for our newsletter and well send you insider information and helpful tips about hiking, camping, and all things outdoor adventures! As you descend, you will reach Snow Lakes and Nada Lake, both with a variety of campgrounds for the weary hiker. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy Cookie Policy, 2021 Adventures of A+K. There are two trailheads for the Enchantments: Stuart/Colchuck Lake and Snow Lake. If you spend any time in Washington, it won't take long to hear about the Enchantments. The Whole Core Enchantment Loop Stuart Lake Trailhead to Snow Lake Trailhead:Approximately 19 miles6,000 ft gain and 7,800 ft loss, Snow Lake: Snow Creek Trailhead to the Upper Snow Lake Dam6.5 miles (one way + another 1.5 miles to the far end of the lake)3,800 ft elevation gain. The best times to hike in the Enchantments are lake summer and early fall. Prusik Peak over Lake Viviane. 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!).
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