We hope to inform, inspire, and empower you to get outside, see this incredible world, and find your WILD! You can also find information on AllTrails (Colchuck Lake, the Enchantments). Prusik Peak over Lake Viviane. The Yucatn Peninsula is the heart of the ancient, The cenotes tour we booked through @airbnbexperien. And after you eat dinner, make sure to go grab some ice cream from Whistlepunk! Day and overnight visitors need to check the weather and be prepared for all weather types throughout the season. Day 4: Hike out through Snow Lake. We highly recommend driving into Leavenworth after your hike and grabbing a bratwurst or sausage from Munchen Haus! The miles of steep, rocky terrain are relentless and because youre at high elevation, you often have to combat Mother Nature, too. Thankfully Christie applied and was able to bring us along! The most challenging section of the trail is between Colchuck Lake and the Core Enchantment Zone. In late spring to early summer, the Enchantments core basin is still snow-covered. Note: Winners are drawn at random, so it makes absolutely no difference when you apply, as long as its within the application period. Mile 9: The next major group of campsites are located between Leprechaun Lake and Lake Viviane. Located in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness of Washington state, this is a wonderland of alpine lakes, jagged mountains, and waterfalls. 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. The Enchantments are one of the most enchanting (sorry, we had to!) ), but we made it down the road in one piece. 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. The Enchantments as a whole is gorgeous, but there are a few spots that you should especially check out and spend some time at. 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. 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. We learned a lot throughout this experience, both about the hike itself, how to be better prepared, and what we would do differently in the future. The hope for most is that dry sunny weather will coincide with whatever dates the luck of the draw has bestowed on them. Christie is Yvonnes friend, who I had met before, and happened to enter the lottery the day before it closed. What awaits visitors: -Nearby Bavarian-styled village -High alpine lakes carved in granite -Curious mountain goats and their kids -Dramatic peaks -Golden larches come fall places in Washington and in this guide were 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 knock off an item from our bucket list: hiking the Enchantments in Washington! So I'm also going to try to do the Enchantments this year. and permits are also a little easier to come by. The way I prepared for the Enchantments was to hike twice a week for about two months. The maximum group size is 8 people. The trail continues to be rocky and steep and several sections require scrambling using both hands and feet. The weather in the mountains can change quickly, so always bring a rainjacket just in case! 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. The main reason to day-hike the Enchantments is that doing so means you dont need a hard-to-get camping permit. Colchuck Lake: Stuart Lake Trailhead to first view of the lake4.2 miles (one way)2,200 ft elevation gain. The Snow Lake trailhead is off of Icicle Creek Road and has a decent parking lot. This ethereal landscape of lakes, basins, and rugged peaks is a delightful place to hike through. Winning is completely up to luck, which is the hard part of the lottery system. Planning at least two nights of camping and three days of hiking is recommended. Ensure you know the correct routes and have the gear to keep you safe. We hope this blog post helped give you some more information to help plan your trip to the Enchantments! Best 2-Person Tents for Camping & Backpacking, 17 Best Hikes in Capitol Reef National Park, Utah, Dispersed Camping: What is It & How to Find Dispersed Campsites, 25 Hiking Lunch Ideas to Keep You Fed on the Trail, Cracker Lake Trail Guide for Glacier National Park, Tips for Eco Camping: A Guide for the Environmentally Conscious Camper, navigation: physical map, phone* with offline maps downloaded (or both), layers (here is a great resource if youre wondering, sun protection: sunscreen, hat, sun glasses, water bottles and bladder for your Camelbak, way to purify your water (we used our Grayl water bottles on this trail and they were fantastic! Your email address will not be published. Toilet paper must be disposed of properly! While we did not get lucky, that method will increase your chances. Dont worry, not all hope is lost. When the landscape is snow-covered, the lakes may be frozen and not distinguishable from the rest of the landscape. If you have two nights, spend some extra time exploring the side trails and lakes in this area. living on the road in ourself-converted sprinter van! This can be a good place to plan for a night of rest if downhill hiking presents difficulty. In this guide, well share how to best experience hiking the Enchantments, whether on a day trip or as a multi-day camping experience. September 30, 2022. The median time is 10 to 12 hours. 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. Bonus: during the tail end of the month and into October, the foliage turns to a beautiful vibrant yellow-orange! Enchantments Backpacking Trip. At one end, the hike begins at the Stuart Lake Trailhead. Insider tip: Since these campsites are outside the Core Enchantment zone, theyre easier to obtain and open to groups, rather than just individuals. We would love to do this hike again in the future, however, we think we would do it a bit differently. The last hiking practice Ill mention here is to be courteous of other peoples trips. There are five total regions: Eightmile/Caroline, Stuart, Colchuck, Core, and Snow. A hike through the Enchantments is a very strenuous hike. This is where we parked our van because we thought we would exit the trail this way. 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 . With FOOD! The trail steadily climbs through dense forest, with increasingly picturesque views of the valley below. The Core Enchantments area is accessible by two different trailheads: Stuart / Colchuk Lake and Snow Lakes Trailheads. 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! Dates: September 2nd- 5th 2016 Location: Leavenworth, Washington. I did the hike September 9th-11th, for reference. Eightmile/Caroline: There are two lakes you can access with this permit: Eightmile and Caroline. a little bit of snow on the trail even in early September 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. 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. Theres some moderate elevation gain through gorgeous old-growth forest and a flat section in a beautiful meadow, before finishing at a stunning lake backed by even more stunning mountains! To reach the Snow Lakes trailhead to drop a car for your return trip, you will need to head into Leavenworth. Check out our the enchantments hiking selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hello there! Here is a rundown of the mileage for different portions of the hike, directly from the Forest Service. You may be able to find a ride back to the Stuart Lake trailhead from someone else completing their hike, but for overnight trips, most people leave a car at both trailheads. 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! You can either try to get a walk up permit (covered above) or day hike it (covered below). Hiking The Enchantments in Washington . ), most of the high alpine terrain is still covered in snow and the lakes are frozen. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Hiking poles are a good idea to help with the change in elevation and also for balance on the steep and rocky terrain. There are five permit zones: Core Enchantment, Snow Lake, Colchuck Lake, Stuart Lake, and the Eightmile/Caroline zone. This makes travel more difficult and the views an endless sea of white (which is beautiful, just more difficult to hike). Plan your hike for mid-July to mid-September, and check both trip reports and weather forecasts before getting started. In early September, Mrs. At risk of sounding entirely cliche, this place is absolutely enchanting. We had to use our hands for balance as we slooowly clambered up what seemed like a near-vertical route. The challenging trail is brimming with dramatic stunning scenery, as glacial activity has left the mountains here jagged and steep, and deposited several picturesque alpine lakes. In October, unpredictable snowstorms start to roll into the higher elevations, making the trail dangerous. Spread out over a few days, its incredibly rewarding, with once-in-a-lifetime views and experience to match your efforts. In addition to physical preparation, an understanding of wilderness travel and first aid will greatly improve your trip if anything goes wrong. The trail through the Enchantments is also very rocky and uneven, further increasing the difficulty of the hike. We will only ever recommend products we truly love, actually use during our adventures, and think you can benefit from too! Since youll be at a higher elevation, the nights may get cool. 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. 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. living on the road in our. The Stuart/Colchuck Lake trailhead is down a VERY rough forested road. Here is a sample packing list for your trip, More Hiking: 21 Bucket List Hikes in Washington State, More North Cascades: 15 Best Hikes in North Cascades National Park, Waterfall Hikes: 11 Best Waterfalls in Washington State + Hikes to Find Them, Hiking Near Seattle: 11 Best Day Hikes Near Seattle. Then, youd likely get a long rambling list of epic places weve been or those were itching to visit. 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! To preserve the experience of other hikers and the wilderness character of the trail, it is important to follow common hiking etiquettes. 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. This area is called Aasgard Pass, and it's a lung-straining 2,000-ft climb in just under a mile. THE ENCHANTMENTS TRAIL BREAKDOWN. Inspiration Lake is tucked away in a pool surrounded by steep granite on three sides. Mile 8: Just below Inspiration Lake is another group of campsites. Obviously, for this, you will need two drivers in your party and two cars! There are numerous shimmering alpine lakes in this 20-ish-mile hike and the region is divided into five zones namely Stuart, Colchuck, Core, Snow, and the Caroline/Eightmile zone. If you spend any time in Washington, it won't take long to hear about the Enchantments. The next set of campsites is along the lakeshores of the five lakes situated in what is known as the Enchantments Core: Isolation Lake, Inspiration Lake, Perfection Lake, Leprechaun Lake and Lake Vivianne. Widely regarded as the crown jewel of hiking in Washington, this trail exceeds even the wildest of superlatives. Always maintain a very safe distance from wildlife, and take care of your business well away from the trail and campsites! 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. 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. Almost immediately beyond the lake, the trail becomes littered with large boulders and scree, making a bit of route-finding a sudden necessity. Ive done this as a thru hike, ending at snow lake TH, taking about 14hrs total. 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