The elevation gain and loss are large, meaning that you will be working hard at most points during your hike. Just beyond Aasgard Pass, the area known as the Core Enchantments Zone offers otherworldly views completely different from the forest below. The first campsites are at Lake Colchuck, about four miles into the hike. The Snow Lake trailhead is near a large parking lot next to the creek. This way, youll knock out most of the elevation gain in the first quarter of the hike. Not in June. Hiking the Enchantments means your jaw will drop at every turn. If you arent up to completing the entire thru-hike, there are multiple shorter trails in the Enchantments. When you are being approached by faster hikers from behind, it is also courtesy to let them pass. 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! 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. The Enchantments hike is most commonly completed as a one-way thru-hike since the hike is long and the terrain can be difficult. The mountain goats in particular are habituated to visitors. Camping here is best on two-night backpacking trips. YouTube, Travel Guides, Gear, & FAQs. 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! Something we wish we had brought were waterproof pants. It'll vary depending on how many breaks are taken for how long and if you can trail-run parts of it. 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. Day 4: Hike out through Colchuck. Christie is Yvonnes friend, who I had met before, and happened to enter the lottery the day before it closed. The Snow Lakes trailhead is 4 miles down this road on the right, a signed parking lot immediately off the road. I've been trying to prep by putting some weights in my backpack and hiking up and down the hills by my house. Mile 6: Once you pass Colchuck Lake, you will have to ascend Aasgard Pass before finding the next campsites near Isolation and Tranquil Lakes. Thanks! Where did yall set up your tent and take that photo from the inside looking out??? Understandably, the trail gets busy and snagging an overnight permit is extremely tough. The elevation gain and loss are large, meaning that you will be working hard at most points during your hike. Bonus: during the tail end of the month and into October, the foliage turns to a beautiful vibrant yellow-orange! 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. Arrive by 7:30 AM to enter the walk-up lottery. 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. May, June, September and October are considered "shoulder seasons" and visitors can expect to encounter snow and winter-like conditions. Here's her trip in photos. Some links in this post may be affiliate links. These make for the best overnight spots in the Enchantments overall. Plus, Stuart Lake is a couple thousand feet higher than Snow Lakes, so your total elevation gain is lower! Were glad this helps! Even if you dont see other hikers, there are probably other people who can hear your music. 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. The zone is named after Snow Lake, the final lake before you climb up into the Core zone. The first frost usually comes in mid-October. To apply, you will need to choose an entry date, group size, permit zone, assign an alternate group leader, and pay the application fee. Although many are also strenuous, they still make fantastic hikes into this stunning part of the Cascades! This is a helpful article as I plan my permit asks and hopeful my hike. 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. Located in Central Washington near the small town of Leavenworth, this piece of the Cascade Mountain range is as spectacular as the name implies. While we did not get lucky, that method will increase your chances. Although its only 4.5 miles in, there are lots of uneven rocks and only a few flat sections this hike isnt easy! For this multi-night backpacking adventure, make sure you are prepared with the right gear. : 7835 ft. Min. If you are not comfortable rock scrambling, this hike may not be the best fit for you. 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. 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. Adventure joined a group of our friends on a trip up to the Enchantments in Washington. To overnight between May and October, however, a lottery permit is required. 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. When the landscape is snow-covered, the lakes may be frozen and not distinguishable from the rest of the landscape. On average, 10 active hours for typical hiking speed of 1000 ft/hr. It is one of our favorite Washington memories and we cannot wait to experience it again someday! The Enchantments are an absolutely amazing alpine wonderland located in central Washington state. 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. 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 Snow Lake. The parking lots have very limited parking even with these designated spots, so it is a good idea to arrive as early as possible. In either direction, the trail is stunning, offering views across the Cascades and passing by numerous bright-blue glacial lakes and chiseled mountain peaks. Talisman Lake Overview. I'm a decent hiker but some of the bouldering is more . If you have more time, you wont get bored spending more time in this beautiful area! Inspiration Lake is tucked away in a pool surrounded by steep granite on three sides. Comment below if you have questions about hiking the Enchantments in Washington state and well do our best to get back to you! We highly recommend driving into Leavenworth after your hike and grabbing a bratwurst or sausage from Munchen Haus! . 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! We hope you snag a permit! The Enchantments don't come easy. There are so many spots youll want to sit and relish the view! Day 1: Hike to Colchuck Lake and set up campDay 2: Hike up Aasgard Pass and find a good camping spot in the Core. 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. 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. In the winter, the Enchantments is buried in deep snowpack and is inaccessible to anyone without serious mountaineering experience. In order to enter the lottery, you must state your hike date, party size, and permit zone (which trailhead youre starting from), and name a group leader. Then, youd likely get a long rambling list of epic places weve been or those were itching to visit. And our favorite way to celebrate? 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. GOOD TO KNOW: most people who thru-hike the entire Enchantments will start at the Stuart Lake Trailhead and end at the Snow Lake . This area is called Aasgard Pass, and it's a lung-straining 2,000-ft climb in just under a mile. If you are looking for an epic day hike, check out our Colchuck Lake trail guide for all the info you need! These days experience the least precipitation and are most likely to have clear skies and warm days. On a journey to Alaska in @brisketthevan living on the road in ourself-converted sprinter van! Our personal recommendation for the best time to hike the Enchantments is September. Note: Winners are drawn at random, so it makes absolutely no difference when you apply, as long as its within the application period. Through-hiking the Enchantments in one day will challenge and reward you, but it's not for everyone. Tucked away in a particularly rugged area of Washington, just accessing this beautiful environment takes substantial planning. 208SX by Green Trails Maps . With a daypack, the scrambling isnt too bad (I hate rock scrambling and didnt cry! Looking up from Leprechaun Lake. $18.00 Tags: Day Hiking Share this Page: Early Summer While hiking in June still requires a permit, you run the risk of the trail being heavily covered in snow. The permits for the Enchantments area are divided into zones. Since the Enchantments trail is at a higher elevation, the temperature will generally be cooler than in town. Was the road to Stuart Lake Trailhead scary or just extremely bumpy? 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!) Since youll be at a higher elevation, the nights may get cool. Youll share the first part of the trail into the Enchantments with many fellow hikers since its one of the best (and closest!) The challenging 20-mile trail requires advanced planning, so weve broken it down in a comprehensive hiking guide. 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. Required fields are marked *. As an Airbnb Associate, we may earn a commission when you book through our links, at no extra cost to you. Mile 7: The next campsites are located just below the Upper Enchantment Lakes just before the trail descends down the ridge. February 1, 2022. At the end of your trip, you will use the car at the Snow Lakes trailhead to return to the car you left at the Stuart Lakes trailhead. Everything you bring in needs to be taken out this includes trash, fruit peels, etc. You cant go wrong with overnighting at any of the five lakes; theyre all stunning! These campsites are located along the shoreline and provide excellent views of the brilliantly blue lake. Both trailheads get really busy, so arrive early! 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. We hope this blog post helped give you some more information to help plan your trip to the Enchantments! How late can you hike the Enchantments? A rainy day at Rune Lake (Perfection Lake) in September. ), dry bag (we always carry one with us for our valuables in case of rain), bear canister (to properly store your food), toilet kit: toilet paper, small shovel, bag for packing out TP, hand sanitizer, camp chairs (we love our Crazy Creek chairs), battery pack (if you are relying on your phone), dehydrated meals (we like making our own backpacking meals with dehydrated ingredients, but you can pick up a decent variety at most outdoor stores). 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. Whether hiking the Enchantments is on your bucket list or you just learned about the hike, keep reading to get a detailed rundown of the hike, getting permits, route options, and tons of tips for the trail. This makes travel more difficult and the views an endless sea of white (which is beautiful, just more difficult to hike). The main path stays to the left of the waterfall but is not immediately next to the left rock cliffs. The Yucatn Peninsula is the heart of the ancient, The cenotes tour we booked through @airbnbexperien. With the added weight of a pack, some training or backpacking experience is highly recommended before attempting to hike the Enchantments. Most hikers start from Stuart Lake, and we recommend this direction as well. The best chances of obtaining a permit are to pick dates earlier or later in the season and avoid major holidays. Dates: September 2nd- 5th 2016 Location: Leavenworth, Washington. 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. Additionally, an overnight or multi-day journey into the Enchantments allows you to experience swimming and relaxing on alpine lakeshores, the chance to explore side trails, and waking up in some truly stunning camping spots. Wildlife in the area is accustomed to visitors, making it easy to get good pictures of any you spot during your trip. In October, unpredictable snowstorms start to roll into the higher elevations, making the trail dangerous. Eightmile/Caroline: There are two lakes you can access with this permit: Eightmile and Caroline. 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! Once applications are drawn, there is a few-week period where successful applicants must accept their permit. Over the years, the hike has become increasingly popular, making winning a permit in the lottery almost like winning the actual lottery. Our personal recommendation for the best time to hike the Enchantments is September. THE ENCHANTMENTS TRAIL BREAKDOWN. by Craig Romano . The weather can change quickly during your multi-day trip from the original forecast. At this time, applicants must choose an exit date and provide payment for the permits. While some people spend up to five days on the trail, we think 2-3 days in the Enchantments is the sweet spot a long weekend escape thats easy to plan and pack for. However, obtaining wilderness permits has become increasingly competitive in recent years, which throws in another logistical obstacle. The trail steadily climbs through dense forest, with increasingly picturesque views of the valley below. Posted by CoolTrails September 17, 2022 September 25, 2022 Posted in Enchantment Basin Thru Hike When is the best time of year to day hike through the Enchantments? Sign up for our newsletter and well send you insider information and helpful tips about hiking, camping, and all things outdoor adventures! Rating. In addition to the lottery permits, a very limited number of permits are reserved for walk-ins available at the Leavenworth Ranger Station. Located in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness of Washington state, this is a wonderland of alpine lakes, jagged mountains, and waterfalls. They only give out one permit per zone per day, with up to 8 people per permit. This informative video shows you how! 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 permit season for the Enchantments is between May 15 and October 31. Mid-July through early October is the best season for hiking the Enchantments. The Enchantments live up to the hype and dazzle hikers willing to overcome the elevation gain needed to visit this high alpine paradise. Will travel for tacos, BBQ, & ice cream 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! Prusik Peak over Lake Viviane. One of the most scenic hikes in the region, this hike passes several waterfalls and glacial lakes before climbing to Snow Lake. Posted on September 5, 2011 September 6, 2011 by Rick Mc. Day Hike: As we mentioned above, if you do not get a permit to backpack, you can dayhike it! Spread out over a few days, its incredibly rewarding, with once-in-a-lifetime views and experience to match your efforts. But we couldnt miss the opportunity to go, so we committed to the permits and figured we would make it all work. Drive 4 miles past the Snow Lakes parking lot until you reach FS Road 7601. This can be a good place to plan for a night of rest if downhill hiking presents difficulty. Its also important to note theres a lot to consider before hiking the Enchantments. Our friends all brought Mountain House meals and loved theirs too! Its a bit of a pain to carry, but worth it to avoid any mishaps with wildlife. 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. Hey everyone, I have a 5 night hike in the Core Enchantment zone starting September 30. Its a unique, labor-intensive process that has an extremely low success rate (the odds of winning a permit are about 2% at best), but well worth it. The only way to visit the Enchantments is by hiking and it is no easy task. Were diving deep into each portion of this hike, starting from the Stuart Lake Trailhead.
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