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 We would love to do this hike again in the future, however, we think we would do it a bit differently. The trail steadily climbs through dense forest, with increasingly picturesque views of the valley below. Since youll be at a higher elevation, the nights may get cool. I had done no training barring weekly hikes in LA and it took me 20 hours to complete it. : 5814 ft. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. In October, unpredictable snowstorms start to roll into the higher elevations, making the trail dangerous. Obviously, for this, you will need two drivers in your party and two cars! 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. 10 weeks to prepare. Its also important to note theres a lot to consider before hiking the Enchantments. The summer temperatures drop (it occasionally reaches a scorching 100 degrees in July and August!) This is a great campsite if you are planning a short first day of hiking. 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. Its not at all uncommon for other hikers to help with shuttling! The trail through the Enchantments is also very rocky and uneven, further increasing the difficulty of the hike. Note: in 2019 they reduced the number of permits due to wildfire damage. will reward you with views of a lifetime. Ensure you know the correct routes and have the gear to keep you safe. Mile 9: The next major group of campsites are located between Leprechaun Lake and Lake Viviane. ), only experienced and fit hikers who are very confident in their abilities should attempt it. Soon, the forest reappears and its a foot-battering descent down to the Snow Lake trailhead. 208SX by Green Trails Maps . 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. And she got permits! The main reason to day-hike the Enchantments is that doing so means you dont need a hard-to-get camping permit. 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. Mid-July through early October is the best season for hiking the Enchantments. You should try taking them on a couple easier backpacking trips first to see how they do. 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. Bonus: during the tail end of the month and into October, the foliage turns to a beautiful vibrant yellow-orange! Mile 11: The shores of the Snow Lakes are the last large group of campsites. As the trail winds through the lakes surrounded by lichen-covered rocks beneath the rugged mountain peaks, you will find more campsites. Looking up from Leprechaun Lake: My dad: The elevation gain and loss are large, meaning that you will be working hard at most points during your hike. ! Depending on your fitness and availability, the time for hiking the Enchantments trail varies. 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. September 30, 2022. Since the Enchantments hike is a point to point trail, its necessary to consider transportation logistics. Nestled in the Cascade Mountains, the Enchantments is full of alpine lakes, rocky peaks, larches, mountain goats, and incredible views. Talisman Lake Insider tip: Since these campsites are outside the Core Enchantment zone, theyre easier to obtain and open to groups, rather than just individuals. The descent from here is long and tedious, and the large decline in elevation challenges most hikers. 25. r/hiking. - Stock Photos provided by our partner Depositphotos, Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, Hi yall! Permits are required for day and overnight use in this area. The Enchantments hike is most commonly completed as a one-way thru-hike since the hike is long and the terrain can be difficult. 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. 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. Although it may look too formidable to even attempt, the beautiful craggy peak behind Colchuck Lake is where the Enchantments hike continues. 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! and permits are also a little easier to come by. 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. But dont worry, if you dont get one, a day hike is still super worth it! Directions To Stuart Lake Trailhead: Drive the US2 west out of Leavenworth. Where is the Enchantments hike? The zone is named after Snow Lake, the final lake before you climb up into the Core zone. For this multi-night backpacking adventure, make sure you are prepared with the right gear. In February I put in the permit application for the enchantments as I heard everyone talking about it. The setting is absolutely beautiful, but camping here leaves the bulk of the hike, including Aasgard Pass, for the next day. Snow: This is the zone we camped in during our time in the Enchantments. We were so thankful we brought layers as we froze during the hike. There are usually more people present than permits, so they have to draw names, which occurs at 7:45 AM. We had to go about 3 mph in the van (not joking lol! Permits. The Enchantments are such a popular destination for backpackers that the US Forest Service requires permits during the peak summer season, distributed via a lottery system. Clothing itemsLayers are a great idea any time of the year while hiking the Enchantments. But the best partshe got six permits, which meant that Yvonne, Jeffrey, Adam, and myself could all go with her and her boyfriend Jackson! . Starting your hike at the Stuart Lake trailhead as I recommend, you will need to find a ride back to this trailhead from the Snow Lakes trailhead. September 8, 2016. The way I prepared for the Enchantments was to hike twice a week for about two months. As you proceed down the trail, the next and final lake of the Enchantments is Lake Viviane. If you do not get a permit through the lottery, there is still hope! Toilet paper must be disposed of properly! It is never acceptable to clean pots by submerging them in a natural body of water. Dont worry, not all hope is lost. 1. This will give you time to cool off and avoid hiking in the heat of the day. The map below shows the area that make up the Enchantments. You may also be able to snag a spot later in the evening when day hikers are leaving. Yay, congrats! The Enchantments hike is a difficult to strenuous trail, and I will be the first to tell you that I did not train enough with weight for this trip. Two shuttle companies, Loop Connector and Leavenworth Shuttles, will drive you from the Snow Lakes Trailhead, where you can drop off your car, to the beginning of the trail at Stuart/Colchuck Lake. At one end, the hike begins at the Stuart Lake Trailhead. Pre- Enchantments: A lot went into this 4 day/3 night backpacking trip. This day-hike only shares a couple of miles of the Enchantments Trail, bypassing most of the crowds for solitude in a stunning valley. 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. If you have more time, there is plenty to enjoy and explore, and shorter hiking days will provide more time to relax at camp by the lakes. Bonus: during the tail end of the month and into October, the foliage turns to a beautiful vibrant yellow-orange! This is the last Enchantments campsite location on the way out to the end of the trail. 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. Through-hiking the Enchantments in one day will challenge and reward you, but it's not for everyone. Regardless of the weather you will need to be prepared for fluctuating temperatures and potential storms. Permits and permit information is available on the Recreation.gov Portal. These campsites provide excellent views of Little Annapurna, one of the tallest peaks along the trail, and an opportunity for a scrambling side-trip if you are feeling adventurous. We will only ever recommend products we truly love, actually use during our adventures, and think you can benefit from too! We got passed by a lot of people haha. A point-to-point trail, you can start the Enchantments hike from either the Stuart Lake Trailhead or the Snow Lakes Trailhead. I did this as a thru hike in September, the trail was harder than I anticipated. The lakes clear, blue (and freeeezing cold!) For most hikers, this is the hardest day hike they've ever done. They also make some amazing meat and veggie bars. A hike through the Enchantments is a very strenuous hike. Continue reading. From Lake Viviane, the trail descends steeply down towards the Snow Lakes. Day Hike: As we mentioned above, if you do not get a permit to backpack, you can dayhike it! The mountain goats in particular are habituated to visitors. We got there late afternoon on a Saturday and snagged that spot, which fit 6 of us with plenty of other space and was an easy walk down to the lake to get water. To avoid these food thieves when camping or hiking through, youll want to keep your food in an animal-proof container. 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. $21.95 Day Hiking Central Cascades by Craig Romano . At risk of sounding entirely cliche, this place is absolutely enchanting. The abundance of granite-carved lakes in the Enchantments makes the area a wonderful spot to explore at a leisurely pace. Our friends all brought Mountain House meals and loved theirs too! Your email address will not be published. Each campsite listed has a wilderness toilet for your use and to preserve the natural beauty of the area. The trail down to Inspiration Lake is steep the first taste of the downhill you will encounter on the remaining trail. 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. The total hiking time ranges from 8 hours for ultra-fast trail runners to about 15 for reasonably fit hikers going at a steady pace. As an Amazon Associate, Small Town Washington earns from qualifying purchases. 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. Please see our. Note: Winners are drawn at random, so it makes absolutely no difference when you apply, as long as its within the application period. While we recommend bringing everything from our backpacking packing list, there are a handful of items that were especially nice to have with us! See our topo map of the route. 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. However, you obviously cant rely on or plan around hitch-hiking and not everyone is comfortable with it. 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! This area is called Aasgard Pass, and it's a lung-straining 2,000-ft climb in just under a mile. The best chances of obtaining a permit are to pick dates earlier or later in the season and avoid major holidays. Wildlife in the area is accustomed to visitors, making it easy to get good pictures of any you spot during your trip. The Enchantments as a whole is gorgeous, but there are a few spots that you should especially check out and spend some time at. Here's her trip in photos. Note: We did not visit all of these spots due to timing, but we wanted to! Hiking the Enchantments means your jaw will drop at every turn. Youll share the first part of the trail into the Enchantments with many fellow hikers since its one of the best (and closest!) Local groups often provide introductory courses on backpacking and camping, which would be good practice before embarking on an Enchantments trip. It should actually called "Asskick Pass". The trailheads for both are located off Icicle Creek Road. 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!) 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. 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! One of the most scenic hikes in the region, this hike passes several waterfalls and glacial lakes before climbing to Snow Lake. But one of the places that would undoubtedly make the list is The Enchantments Wilderness Area. We highly recommend getting the Alltrails app so you can see the map (even without cell service) and make sure youre going the right way. In either direction, the trail is stunning, offering views across the Cascades and passing by numerous bright-blue glacial lakes and chiseled mountain peaks. Elev. You can apply for permits during the second half of February through Recreation.gov, and winners are drawn, lottery-style, in early March. If you do not get a permit during the permit window, or happen to be visiting outside of that window, there is a small chance you can hike in the area during other times of the year, but you will likely encounter a lot of snow. Enjoy this walking video tour of the Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail in Redwood National Park in California. Check out our 37 favorite hikes in Washington! However, space on the shuttles is limited and they dont always operate on weekdays, so its best to book well in advance. Hiking in North Cascades National Park in Washington. Posted on September 5, 2011 September 6, 2011 by Rick Mc. Overview of the Enchantments Hike These statistics are for the thru-hike from Stuart/Colchuck Lake Trailhead to the Snow Lakes Trailhead. To apply, you will need to choose an entry date, group size, permit zone, assign an alternate group leader, and pay the application fee. This campsite location puts you in a great position to finish the hike the next day and return home. But similar to Eightmile/Caroline, this permit is much easier to get! 4.73 out of 5. This way, youll knock out most of the elevation gain in the first quarter of the hike. Redwood National Park in California - (https://youtu.be . End: Snow Lakes Trailhead. There are so many spots youll want to sit and relish the view! This website contains affiliate links from websites such as Amazon.com, Booking.com, and Rentalcars.com. 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. I've been trying to prep by putting some weights in my backpack and hiking up and down the hills by my house. There are five unique areas amongst the Enchantments zone which covers about 75 square miles. Hi Kym! From the Stuart Lake Trailhead, the trail heads first towards Colchuck Lake a 4-mile hike from the trailhead. . It is easy to lose the main path up Aasgard Pass, but you will want to take the extra time to stay on it, since it is more solid and easier, especially if you are carrying a heavy overnight pack. The Enchantments is a classic Washington hike. 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?)! There are two trailheads for the Enchantments: Stuart/Colchuck Lake and Snow Lake. 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 At 20 miles long and with just under 5,000 feet of elevation gain, hiking the Enchantments is a serious undertaking regardless of your fitness level. And do it on a hot daya record-breaking hot day is even better. I booked this time as I wanted the beautiful golden larches. So I'm also going to try to do the Enchantments this year. Hiking with music can be fun but it is good practice to use headphones so that other hikers dont have to listen to it. External chargerThis is a must for a multi-day backpacking trip! You are likely to encounter snow in the Enchantments area between mid-October through mid-July, and during this time period you will want to pack microspikes for travelling on potentially slippery snow, especially when traveling on the steeper sections of the trail. Those on the shorter end trail run a portion of the trail. We hope this blog post helped give you some more information to help plan your trip to the Enchantments! We bought a new water filter for the trip and the water filtered super fastit was amazing! The below table is the monthly average temperatures for Leavenworth. Month and into October, unpredictable snowstorms start to roll into the Core zone through Recreation.gov, Rentalcars.com... Elevation challenges most hikers, this is a must for a multi-day backpacking trip |. Information is available on the shorter end trail run a portion of the Enchantments wilderness.!: we did not visit all of these spots due to timing but. A natural body of water it occasionally reaches a scorching 100 degrees in July August. Wanted the beautiful golden larches adventure, make sure you are planning a short first of. On backpacking and camping, which would be good practice to use headphones so other... 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An Amazon Associate, Small Town Washington earns from qualifying purchases external is. Are also a little easier to get come by and not everyone is comfortable with it by lot... The first taste of the year while hiking the Enchantments in one will! And veggie bars also make some amazing meat and veggie bars with music can fun. Its best to book well in advance and permits are required for day and return home called quot! Products we truly love, actually use during our time in the evening when day are... Fit hikers going at a leisurely pace elevations, making the trail heads towards... About 75 square miles I heard everyone talking about it at every turn attempt! End, the trail steadily climbs through dense forest, with increasingly views... For hiking the Enchantments trail varies know the correct routes and have the gear to your. Harder than I anticipated the list is the zone is named after Snow Lake Trailhead or the Snow Lakes,... 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