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. This area is called Aasgard Pass, and it's a lung-straining 2,000-ft climb in just under a mile. After you finish your hike, its time to celebrate! My dad. How long does it take to hike the Enchantments trail? When you apply, you select your entry date and location and pay a $10 non-refundable application fee. The hike is a mixture of a regular dirt trail and rock scrambling. Another good spot to check out is Yodelin. Pre- Enchantments: A lot went into this 4 day/3 night backpacking trip. 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. by Craig Romano . Those on the longer end tend to linger longer at the lakes. 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. We hope to inform, inspire, and empower you to get outside, see this incredible world, and find your WILD! Drive 8.4 miles and turn left onto Forest Service Road 7601. Because of the popularity of the area, backpacking permits to camp in the core Enchantments area are required May 15-October 31st, and they are in high demand -- I've applied three years in a row without any luck. Didnt get a permit? The trail continues to be rocky and steep and several sections require scrambling using both hands and feet. However, dont count on this as a guarantee it is far better to try to secure an Enchantments permit in advance. I read a review that said it was really steep. Negative Elev. 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. Depending on your fitness and availability, the time for hiking the Enchantments trail varies. With shimmering alpine lakes, glaciers, rugged mountain peaks, wildflower-dotted meadows, and the ubiquitous mountain goats, this wilderness area has a pristine, untouched beauty that is getting increasingly difficult to find. Can you drive to the enchantments? 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! Matthew H. BPL Member. Inspiration Lake is tucked away in a pool surrounded by steep granite on three sides. With your permit you will receive special parking permits for each of the trailhead, allowing you to park in designated spots for permitees. 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. 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. In fact, people have died doing so from falling into crevasses or waterfall holes. Check out our the enchantments hiking selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. 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. Very brutal.. 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. Soon, the forest reappears and its a foot-battering descent down to the Snow Lake trailhead. hiking the Enchantments, WA. The challenging 20-mile trail requires advanced planning, so weve broken it down in a comprehensive hiking guide. Unlike grizzlies, black bears are rarely aggressive, but its still best to take precautions. The best season to hike to the lakes is summer and early fall, namely late July/August to September/early October. This is what we planned to do, but Mother Nature had other ideas. ), only experienced and fit hikers who are very confident in their abilities should attempt it. Join. Maybe you'll get lucky and have good weather. End: Snow Lakes Trailhead. They only give out one permit per zone per day, with up to 8 people per permit. A hike through the Enchantments is a very strenuous hike. This trail winds through a beautiful wilderness area that many other hikes enjoy. With the added weight of a pack, some training or backpacking experience is highly recommended before attempting to hike the Enchantments. Uphill hikers always have the right-of way, and downhill hikers who see approaching hikers should find a suitable spot to let the uphill hikers pass. External chargerThis is a must for a multi-day backpacking trip! Hi Kym! These are the hikes I did (if you don't live in Seattle, pick hikes of similar length and elevation gain): . I did this as a thru hike in September, the trail was harder than I anticipated. The best strategy is to keep your distance as much as possible. 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. Instead of backpacking, wed love to try day hiking it next time. October 11, 2021. Most people prefer to backpack in the Enchantments during the summer months, to enjoy the clear blue lakes and granite rocks. Day 4: Hike out through Colchuck. When the landscape is snow-covered, the lakes may be frozen and not distinguishable from the rest of the landscape. If you are cooking in the alpine, research proper techniques for cleaning pots and pans. See some of our recommended stops below! Were glad this helps! Winning is completely up to luck, which is the hard part of the lottery system. 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! Positive Elev. Your email address will not be published. Day and overnight visitors need to check the weather and be prepared for all weather types throughout the season. Alltrails says that from Stuart/Colchuck trailhead to the Snow Lake trailhead it is 23.6 miles, but we confirmed with a ranger during our hike that it is 19. Toilet paper must be disposed of properly! The Enchantments is a classic Washington hike. Just have a few questions. Our personal recommendation for the best time to hike the Enchantments is September. 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. Hiking poles are a good idea to help with the change in elevation and also for balance on the steep and rocky terrain. However, you obviously cant rely on or plan around hitch-hiking and not everyone is comfortable with it. There are over 6,000 cenotes on the Yucatn Penin, One of our favorite ways to experience a new place, Where to go after hiking the Enchantments, https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/washington/the-enchantments-trail?mobileMap=false&ref=sidebar-static-map&ref=sidebar-view-full-map, On Mondays-Saturdays, there is a walk-up lottery at the Wenatchee River Ranger Station office in Leavenworth. Want to discover more trails in Washington? Drive 4 miles past the Snow Lakes parking lot until you reach FS Road 7601. They are pit toilets, but its good for a last minute bathroom break before hitting the trail! So on September 14, with fully loaded packs, we headed into the Enchantments! Enchantments Hike Specs: Length: 23.6 mi Elevation gain: 5,003 ft Route type: Point to point While its entirely possible to hike the trail in a single day (remember, weve done it! Thanks for the ideas! Here, just east of Leavenworth in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness and reachable only on foot, are the Enchantments. We will only ever recommend products we truly love, actually use during our adventures, and think you can benefit from too! You can also find information on AllTrails (Colchuck Lake, the Enchantments). When to Hike The Enchantments. ), but we made it down the road in one piece. 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. The trail is steep and rocky, resembling your climb up Aasgard Pass. The first frost usually comes in mid-October. Turn left onto Icicle Creek Road. Almost immediately beyond the lake, the trail becomes littered with large boulders and scree, making a bit of route-finding a sudden necessity. Core: The most popular (and coveted) area is the Core zone, which is where the majority of the lakes reside. Drop one off at the hikes endpoint, then drive everyone to the starting point. Where is the Enchantments hike? Perfection Lake is another clear, shallow alpine lake, perhaps more beautiful than the previous ones (hence its name, perhaps!). Although bears are not commonly sighted, they are present in the area and may also try to get into food. September 8, 2016. Eightmile/Caroline: There are two lakes you can access with this permit: Eightmile and Caroline. Tucked away in a particularly rugged area of Washington, just accessing this beautiful environment takes substantial planning. 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. https://linktr.ee/kraig00:00 Hiking Aasgard Pass in the Enchantments4:29 Leavenworth Bavarian Village5:46 Hiking Guide and Behind the Scenes There is little if any cell service available on this trail, and emergency help is far away. Hiking The Enchantments in Washington . Mileage: 20ish, 4600 Elevation gain/ 6000 elevation loss. However, weve seen young children complete it, so it could make a great family excursion! 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. Where did yall set up your tent and take that photo from the inside looking out??? Here's her trip in photos. 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 These days experience the least precipitation and are most likely to have clear skies and warm days. The Core Enchantments area is accessible by two different trailheads: Stuart / Colchuk Lake and Snow Lakes Trailheads. ! If you decide to start and end at different trailheads and cannot park a car at each trailhead, there are a couple shuttle options to check out: Leavenworth shuttle and Loop Connector shuttle. 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. Elev. Everything you bring in needs to be taken out this includes trash, fruit peels, etc. And to watch our experience, check out our vlog below! After getting b, Our beautiful home in Mrida! Adventure joined a group of our friends on a trip up to the Enchantments in Washington. It is never acceptable to clean pots by submerging them in a natural body of water. Top 10 Hiking 100 Classic Hikes: Washington, 3rd Ed. If you click through a link on Small Town Washington, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. CRAZY! $18.95 Alpine Lakes East Stuart Range, WA No. Enter: Christie, our Enchantments savior. We got passed by a lot of people haha. 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. ), most of the high alpine terrain is still covered in snow and the lakes are frozen. 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. The level of difficulty and sheer distance of the trail mean the best way to experience this area is via a multi-day hike. Plus, Stuart Lake is a couple thousand feet higher than Snow Lakes, so your total elevation gain is lower! The trail steadily climbs through dense forest, with increasingly picturesque views of the valley below. The trail down to Inspiration Lake is steep the first taste of the downhill you will encounter on the remaining trail. 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