Something we wish we had brought were waterproof pants. And to watch our experience, check out our vlog below! $21.95 Day Hiking Central Cascades by Craig Romano . Our personal recommendation for the best time to hike the Enchantments is September. You can either start and end at the same trailhead or start and end at different trailheads depending on the route youre going to take. If you have two nights, spend some extra time exploring the side trails and lakes in this area. Whenever you decide to continue on, be prepared for continuation of the rocky trail. Theyre especially perfect for people spending just one night on the trail, since youll conquer most of the elevation on the first day and have nothing but downhill miles the second. Each campsite listed has a wilderness toilet for your use and to preserve the natural beauty of the area. Mountain goats are the most prevalent wildlife youll encounter. 19K views 1 year ago THE ENCHANTMENTS The Enchantments Hike is the most beautiful hike in all of Washington. When the landscape is snow-covered, the lakes may be frozen and not distinguishable from the rest of the landscape. I had done no training barring weekly hikes in LA and it took me 20 hours to complete it. 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. 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. If you are looking for an epic day hike, check out our Colchuck Lake trail guide for all the info you need! 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. You cant go wrong with overnighting at any of the five lakes; theyre all stunning! Toughest thing I have done. But on March 20, we got the disappointing news that we did not get permits. 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. With a daypack, the scrambling isnt too bad (I hate rock scrambling and didnt cry! Most people prefer to backpack in the Enchantments during the summer months, to enjoy the clear blue lakes and granite rocks. 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. Day 4: Hike out through Colchuck. Before July (and sometimes even into July! If you are cooking in the alpine, research proper techniques for cleaning pots and pans. Some links throughout this site are affiliate links. . We spent hours doing this one day and it saved us from being bored as we were cooped up in our tent! Talisman Lake While youll have no cell phone service, being able to charge your phone to take photos, look at a map, etc is crucial. You will want to make sure you have cars at both trailheads (see The Trailheads section below). Camping spots are limited, but when possible, put your tent up away from other tents to give other campers privacy. Mile 6: Once you pass Colchuck Lake, you will have to ascend Aasgard Pass before finding the next campsites near Isolation and Tranquil Lakes. So on September 14, with fully loaded packs, we headed into the Enchantments! Dont be fooled that you are reaching the end here, even though you are leaving the lake basin! In early September, Mrs. 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. Understandably, the trail gets busy and snagging an overnight permit is extremely tough. Read More. 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. On a journey to Alaska in @brisketthevan The last hiking practice Ill mention here is to be courteous of other peoples trips. Soon, the forest reappears and its a foot-battering descent down to the Snow Lake trailhead. The only way to visit the Enchantments is by hiking and it is no easy task. 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. and permits are also a little easier to come by. hiking the Enchantments, WA. The Stuart/Colchuck Lake trailhead is down a VERY rough forested road. 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. https://linktr.ee/kraig00:00 Hiking Aasgard Pass in the Enchantments4:29 Leavenworth Bavarian Village5:46 Hiking Guide and Behind the Scenes Although bears are not commonly sighted, they are present in the area and may also try to get into food. After getting b, Our beautiful home in Mrida! Adventure joined a group of our friends on a trip up to the Enchantments in Washington. Interestingly (and weirdly), many wild animals are attracted to the salts in urine and actually seek it out. Snow Lake was beautiful and more scenic than we thought it would be, so while its not the most ideal permit to get, it still makes for a very fun trip! One of Washingtons best hikes, the Enchantments absolutely lives up to the hype (and its name!). 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. The map below shows the area that make up the Enchantments. Redwood National Park in California - (https://youtu.be . 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. 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. The route is described below beginning at the Stuart Lake Trailhead. Perfection Lake is another clear, shallow alpine lake, perhaps more beautiful than the previous ones (hence its name, perhaps!). Winning is completely up to luck, which is the hard part of the lottery system. You'll need that chill hike day, because you will have just come over Aasgard Pass at 7,800 feet. Hiking with music can be fun but it is good practice to use headphones so that other hikers dont have to listen to it. Even if you dont see other hikers, there are probably other people who can hear your music. 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. We are big fans of Wild Zora backpacking meals, especially the beef ones, as they are super natural and healthy. However, dont count on this as a guarantee it is far better to try to secure an Enchantments permit in advance. What this means is that you have to obtain a permit in the lottery (or in the other methods we cover below) to stay overnight during those dates. You can also find information on AllTrails (Colchuck Lake, the Enchantments). 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. 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? In 2018 (still waiting on 2019 numbers), 17,586 people applied for 708 Core permitsgiving them a 4% chance to snag one. 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. Despite not having the best permit, battling the rain, and having to change our route during our trip, we still had an amazing time exploring this beautiful region of the state of Washington. The summer temperatures drop (it occasionally reaches a scorching 100 degrees in July and August!) - Stock Photos provided by our partner Depositphotos, Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, Hi yall! The main reason to day-hike the Enchantments is that doing so means you dont need a hard-to-get camping permit. Spread out over a few days, its incredibly rewarding, with once-in-a-lifetime views and experience to match your efforts. Take a left at this intersection, then follow the dirt road for 4 miles until reaching the Stuart Lake trailhead. and permits are also a little easier to come by. A hike through the Enchantments is a very strenuous hike. 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. Dates: September 2nd- 5th 2016 Location: Leavenworth, Washington. We hope you snag a permit! The most popular day hike in the Enchantments leads to a breathtaking blue glacial lake right underneath Aasgard Pass. . Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. At this time, applicants must choose an exit date and provide payment for the permits. The Enchantments hike is most commonly completed as a one-way thru-hike since the hike is long and the terrain can be difficult. If you get lucky, you have until March 31 to accept your permit, otherwise those do become available to the public. 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. When to Hike The Enchantments. 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. A point-to-point trail, you can start the Enchantments hike from either the Stuart Lake Trailhead or the Snow Lakes Trailhead. The trail is steep and rocky, resembling your climb up Aasgard Pass. Welcome to Go Wander Wild. 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 did the hike September 9th-11th, for reference. The Core Enchantments area is accessible by two different trailheads: Stuart / Colchuk Lake and Snow Lakes Trailheads. The best chances of obtaining a permit are to pick dates earlier or later in the season and avoid major holidays. We would love to do this hike again in the future, however, we think we would do it a bit differently. It is never acceptable to clean pots by submerging them in a natural body of water. 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. See our topo map of the route. 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. Ensure you know the correct routes and have the gear to keep you safe. To be on the safe side, plan your hike for mid-July to late-September. Where is the Enchantments hike? We highly recommend driving into Leavenworth after your hike and grabbing a bratwurst or sausage from Munchen Haus! Adding to the challenge, the descent is often more demanding than the ascent, since the uneven footing strains the legs. Continue reading. If you begin at the lower Snow Creek Trailhead, reverse the numbers. If you do not get a permit through the lottery, there is still hope! This is a steep, bumpy, potholed dirt road (I take my RV down many dirt roads but I wouldn't drive it on this). After you finish your hike, its time to celebrate! However, weve seen young children complete it, so it could make a great family excursion! Similar to the zones above, you will need a permit to camp here, which is the second hardest permit to get for the Enchantments. Some links in this post may be affiliate links. The Enchantments don't come easy. By mid-morning in late February 1964, four snowshoers began traveling up the Ingalls Creek trail, heading for a campsite where Crystal Creek meets the main drainage of Ingalls Creek, seven miles up valley. 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. Good mealsAfter a long day of hiking, there is nothing better than a hot meal. This is another hike that is a doable day trip, but if youd like to stay overnight, youll need to enter the Enchantments lottery for a permit. If youre hiking the Enchantments by yourself or dont have two vehicles, there are other options. To enter the permit lottery, you will first need to apply during the annual permit lottery (exact dates vary by year). Anytime! Its a bit of a pain to carry, but worth it to avoid any mishaps with wildlife. The road to Colchuck lake does close in the winter, but it typically is open for a bit after October 31, giving you a little bit of a window to do the hike depending on the weather. If you use the links provided and make a purchase, we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. 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! 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. The weather in the mountains can change quickly, so always bring a rainjacket just in case! To reach the Snow Lakes trailhead to drop a car for your return trip, you will need to head into Leavenworth. 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. This is a very popular area for backpacking, camping, and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Overview. Another good spot to check out is Yodelin. While Aasgard Pass terrifies us, we want to experience it once in our lifetime and wed rather do it without the heavy packs. Water filterWhile we have a pretty large Camelbak bladder to store water, it wasnt enough water for a three day hike. Thanks! Talk about timing! ), 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). Positive Elev. The trail through the Enchantments is also very rocky and uneven, further increasing the difficulty of the hike. Here is a rundown of the mileage for different portions of the hike, directly from the Forest Service. Note to everyone: Aasgard Pass is a misnomer. This is a great campsite if you are planning a short first day of hiking. While our experience hiking the Enchantments wasnt the traditional experiencewe didnt have a Core permit and we skipped Aasgard pass due to weather concernswe had such a fun, rainy and memorable three days. 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. Pin this blog post to prep for your trip! 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 I booked this time as I wanted the beautiful golden larches. As you head down from Isolation and Tranquil Lakes, the terrain changes from the smooth granite rocks to alpine meadows. There are two trailheads for the Enchantments: Stuart/Colchuck Lake and Snow Lake. 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