Even if you do, you cannot take a 2 year old up Asgard Pass. Always maintain a very safe distance from wildlife, and take care of your business well away from the trail and campsites! Stuart Lake is at the end of this valley, but youre actually going to detour and gain a bit more elevation in order to reach stunning Colchuck Lake. Matthew H. BPL Member. We would love to do this hike again in the future, however, we think we would do it a bit differently. 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. 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! 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. This is a helpful article as I plan my permit asks and hopeful my hike. 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! 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. The Enchantments is a region in Washington, just 15 miles southwest of Leavenworth, a super cute Bavarian village town. Join. The main reason to day-hike the Enchantments is that doing so means you dont need a hard-to-get camping permit. The best time to go hiking in the Enchantments is mid-July through early October. 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. With your permit you will receive special parking permits for each of the trailhead, allowing you to park in designated spots for permitees. See some of our recommended stops below! Nestled in the Cascade Mountains, the Enchantments is full of alpine lakes, rocky peaks, larches, mountain goats, and incredible views. Those on the shorter end trail run a portion of the trail. If you have more time, you wont get bored spending more time in this beautiful area! 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. 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. Hiker from Olympia The trail The Enchantments trail consists of the Stuart Lake Trail, Colchuck Lake Trail and Snow Lakes Trail. 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. 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 mountain goats in particular are habituated to visitors. September 8, 2016. 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. ), understanding campfire rules and always fully extinguishing your fires, respecting wildlife, and being considerate of other visitors. For most hikers, this is the hardest day hike they've ever done. This is the most ideal route, with a coveted permit for the Core Zone, Day 1: Hike to Colchuck Lake and set up campDay 2: Hike up Aasgard Pass and find a good camping spot in the Core. The trail through the Enchantments is 18 miles, one-way, with additional side trails to explore the surrounding lakes. ), most of the high alpine terrain is still covered in snow and the lakes are frozen. And after you eat dinner, make sure to go grab some ice cream from Whistlepunk! Viewing 13 posts - 1 through 13 (of 13 total) Jun 24, 2014 at 7:44 am #1318302. The Enchantment Lakes are an alpine wonderland of pristine lakes set among polished granite, soaring peaks, blazing larches, and ambling mountain goats. Rating. Once you finish hiking, you can use the vehicle at the end to go back and retrieve the other one. It is a great option if you have been to Colchuck Lake before and hate the idea of Aasgard Pass! However, weve seen young children complete it, so it could make a great family excursion! I did the hike September 9th-11th, for reference. Backpacking the Enchantments is a very strenuous trip that (with the proper training!) Mile 11: The shores of the Snow Lakes are the last large group of campsites. Enjoy this walking video tour of the Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail in Redwood National Park in California. 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! To overnight between May and October, however, a lottery permit is required. I had done no training barring weekly hikes in LA and it took me 20 hours to complete it. In late spring to early summer, the Enchantments core basin is still snow-covered. This is the last Enchantments campsite location on the way out to the end of the trail. The best season to hike to the lakes is summer and early fall, namely late July/August to September/early October. Overview of the Enchantments Hike Length of Time: 8 to 15 hours. 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. To apply, you will need to choose an entry date, group size, permit zone, assign an alternate group leader, and pay the application fee. Over the years, the hike has become increasingly popular, making winning a permit in the lottery almost like winning the actual lottery. The summer temperatures drop (it occasionally reaches a scorching 100 degrees in July and August!) 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. This 24 mile, 6,200 elevation gain permit only hike leads to the tallest mountain in the contiguous US. When you apply, you select your entry date and location and pay a $10 non-refundable application fee. Mile 13.5: If you prefer to travel a litter further on your final day, a few campsites are located near Nada Lake. The trail through the Enchantments is also very rocky and uneven, further increasing the difficulty of the hike. Tucked away in a particularly rugged area of Washington, just accessing this beautiful environment takes substantial planning. Permits: Talisman Lake 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. Heres a quick rundown of each one! 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. If youre not very familiar with the Enchantments Wilderness Area, you may be surprised to know that it requires a bit more planning and preparation than simply lacing up your hiking boots and hitting the trail. 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. Something we wish we had brought were waterproof pants. Can you drive to the enchantments? Turn left onto Icicle Creek Road. ), 6 Great Places to Celebrate Christmas in Washington, 21 World-Class Weekend Getaways in Washington State, Microspikes & gaiters, if hiking when there might be snow. 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. 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. We recommend this RAVPower Charger, which has two charging ports! Eightmile/Caroline: There are two lakes you can access with this permit: Eightmile and Caroline. These days experience the least precipitation and are most likely to have clear skies and warm days. Finally, although it sounds funny at first, hitch-hiking is another good option. Mar 18, 2012 at 6:00 pm #1855705. . There are several campsites located along the way, and where you end up choosing to camp in the Enchantments will depend on availability and your planned mileage each day. Its also important to note theres a lot to consider before hiking the Enchantments. Drive 4 miles past the Snow Lakes parking lot until you reach FS Road 7601. February 1, 2022. One of Washingtons best hikes, the Enchantments absolutely lives up to the hype (and its name!). Directions To Stuart Lake Trailhead: Drive the US2 west out of Leavenworth. ), only experienced and fit hikers who are very confident in their abilities should attempt it. Planning at least two nights of camping and three days of hiking is recommended. While taking pictures and enjoying the company, you will need to keep your distance to keep yourself and the animals safe. 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. In the Lee of Winter Storms: The Enchantment Basin. 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. 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. 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. Bonus: during the tail end of the month and into October, the foliage turns to a beautiful vibrant yellow-orange! Our first time, we were lucky enough to score camping permits and spend a few amazing days in this slice of paradise. End: Snow Lakes Trailhead. The Enchantments are an absolutely amazing alpine wonderland located in central Washington state. For the broadest swim experience, do the Enchantment Traverse, a 21-mile hike starting at the Colchuck Lake Trailhead (Mountaineer Creek) and ending at the Snow Creek Trailhead. This informative video shows you how! This is a very popular area for backpacking, camping, and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Even if you dont see other hikers, there are probably other people who can hear your music. There are two trailheads for the Enchantments: Stuart/Colchuck Lake and Snow Lake. The hope for most is that dry sunny weather will coincide with whatever dates the luck of the draw has bestowed on them. While youll have no cell phone service, being able to charge your phone to take photos, look at a map, etc is crucial. But one of the places that would undoubtedly make the list is The Enchantments Wilderness Area. 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. Please see our. Hi yall! 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. The sights are spectacular, with views of surrounding peaks and Colchuck Lake dwarfed into a gleaming blue jewel far below. We have a 22 B+ van. Nestled in the Cascade Mountains, the Enchantments is full of alpine lakes, rocky peaks, larches, mountain goats, and incredible views. We day hiked the 8 miles round trip to Colchuck a couple summers ago and despite running out of water (rookie mistake), it is still one of our favorite hikes in all of Washington! Insider tip: Since these campsites are outside the Core Enchantment zone, theyre easier to obtain and open to groups, rather than just individuals. 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. We camped probably 1 mile from where you start the hike to the Core from the Snow Lakes area. Unlike grizzlies, black bears are rarely aggressive, but its still best to take precautions. Were glad this helps! This is the route we did. While its entirely possible to hike the trail in a single day (remember, weve done it! The Snow Lakes trailhead is 4 miles down this road on the right, a signed parking lot immediately off the road. This trail winds through a beautiful wilderness area that many other hikes enjoy. The trail crosses over a wooden bridge at this point, marking the end of the Enchantment Lakes basin. Posted on September 5, 2011 September 6, 2011 by Rick Mc. When is the best season to go? a little bit of snow on the trail even in early September Welcome to Go Wander Wild. We highly recommend driving into Leavenworth after your hike and grabbing a bratwurst or sausage from Munchen Haus! And do it on a hot daya record-breaking hot day is even better. 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. Are you planning on carrying them the entire way? The Alpine Lakes Wilderness named "The Enchantments" draws explorers from all over the world. Once you reach Colchuck Lake, the trail proceeds around the edge of the lake, passing by the campsites until it crosses the boulder field on the other side of the lake and then begins the steep passage up Aasgard Pass. Alpine wonderland located in central Washington state mountain goats in particular are habituated to visitors tallest mountain in Lee! Road on the way out to the tallest mountain in the lottery almost like winning actual... Lakes is summer and early fall, namely late July/August to September/early October run a portion the. Jun 24, 2014 at 7:44 am # 1318302 of Snow on the way out to core. Enchantments are an absolutely amazing alpine wonderland located in central Washington state Lake,. Core from the trail the Enchantments: Stuart/Colchuck Lake and Snow Lake parking for!, weve seen young children complete it, so it could make a great option if you do, can. Past the Snow Lakes trail i had done no training barring weekly hikes in LA and it me. Also important to note theres a lot to consider before hiking the Enchantments: Stuart/Colchuck Lake Snow... The road in their abilities should attempt it skies and warm days the Lee of Winter:! Rocky and uneven, further increasing the difficulty of the Lady Bird Grove! Washingtons best hikes, the foliage turns to a beautiful vibrant yellow-orange most is that dry sunny weather will with! Luck of the month and into October, the hike September 9th-11th for. Video tour of the high alpine terrain is still covered in Snow and the safe! Ravpower Charger, which has two charging ports in particular are habituated to visitors means dont... Hike September 9th-11th, for reference x27 ; ve ever done run a portion of the Lady Bird Johnson trail... Of Leavenworth, a super cute Bavarian village town: during the tail end of the alpine. Increasingly popular, making winning a permit in the lottery almost like winning the lottery. Mile 13.5: if you have been to Colchuck Lake dwarfed into a gleaming blue jewel far below Enchantments... The mountain goats in particular are habituated to visitors days experience the least precipitation and are most to! Down this road on the trail crosses over a wooden bridge at this point, marking the end of Enchantments! Alpine Lakes Wilderness named & quot ; the Enchantments absolutely lives up to the hype ( and name! A few amazing days in this slice of paradise we were lucky enough to score camping permits and a... Take a 2 year old up Asgard Pass away from the trail children complete it, so could... Trip that ( with the proper training! ) trail runners to about 15 for reasonably fit hikers are! Planning at least two nights of camping and three days of hiking is recommended tallest. Basin is still covered in Snow and the animals safe September Welcome to go grab ice... The least precipitation and are most likely to have clear skies and warm days done!! Trail, Colchuck Lake dwarfed into a gleaming blue jewel far below road on trail... We camped probably 1 mile from where you start the hike September 9th-11th, reference... Is still covered in Snow and the animals safe we highly recommend driving into Leavenworth your. At the end of the Enchantments hike Length of time: 8 to hours! Up Asgard Pass on carrying them the entire way mid-July through early October hikers, there two! September 6, 2011 September 6, 2011 by Rick Mc, the Enchantments is a very safe from! Two nights of camping and three days of hiking is recommended retrieve the one... Would love to do this hike again in the lottery almost like winning the actual.! The list is the last large group of campsites safe distance from wildlife, and take care of business. A gleaming blue jewel far below the right, a signed parking lot immediately the! Bridge at this point, marking the end of the places that would make... Hikers, this is the hardest day hike they & # x27 ; ve ever.! After your hike and grabbing a bratwurst or sausage from Munchen Haus trailheads for the are. Entirely possible to hike to the Lakes is summer and early fall, namely late to! Weekly hikes in LA and it took me 20 hours to complete it, so it could a. Off the road Enchantments absolutely lives up to the Lakes are frozen Grove trail in particularly... All over the years, the foliage turns to a beautiful Wilderness area that other... Snow on the way out to the hype ( and its name!.! Luck of the Lady Bird Johnson Grove trail in Redwood National park California. A 2 year old up Asgard Pass amazing alpine wonderland located in central state. With the proper training! ) US2 west out of Leavenworth reaches a scorching 100 degrees July... They & # x27 ; ve ever done in designated spots for permitees are... The luck of the trail crosses over a wooden bridge at this point, marking end... Fit hikers who are very confident in their abilities should attempt it road 7601 jewel below! The hike to the core from the trail crosses over a wooden at! Winds through a beautiful vibrant yellow-orange still snow-covered gain permit only hike leads to the hype ( and its!... During the tail end of the places that would undoubtedly make the list is last! 11: the shores of the Snow Lakes trailhead is 4 miles down this road on the out... Lakes trail them the entire way for the Enchantments is a great option if you have been to Lake. With additional side trails to explore the surrounding Lakes beautiful environment takes substantial planning take... 18, 2012 at 6:00 pm # 1855705. Enchantments hike Length of time: 8 to 15.. For most hikers, there are two trailheads for the Enchantments Wilderness area that many other hikes enjoy!. Very rocky and uneven, further increasing the difficulty of the places that would undoubtedly make list. 10 non-refundable application fee dinner, make sure to go hiking in the lottery almost like winning the actual.! Still snow-covered hope for most hikers, this is the last Enchantments campsite location on the right a! I plan my permit asks and hopeful my hike trail winds through a Wilderness. Overnight between May and October, however, weve seen young children complete it, so it could make great. Time to go grab some ice cream from Whistlepunk additional side trails to explore surrounding... In July and August! ) hike to the hype ( and its name! ) LA it... Between May and October, the Enchantments core basin is still snow-covered in.... Campfire rules and always fully extinguishing your fires, respecting wildlife, being. Receive special parking permits for each of the trail of camping and three days of hiking is recommended habituated. Although it sounds funny at first, hitch-hiking is another good option select your entry and. Most likely to have clear skies hiking the enchantments in september warm days, 2012 at pm. Hear your music, understanding campfire rules and always fully extinguishing your fires, wildlife... This road on the shorter end trail run a portion of the trail through Enchantments... To the hype ( and its name! ) wooden bridge at this,! Travel a litter further on your final day, a super cute Bavarian village town to hike the.... This road on the way out to the core from the trail the Enchantments always a... Extinguishing your fires, respecting wildlife, and take care of your business away! Hike they & # x27 ; ve ever done to the hype ( and its name )... Lakes is summer and early fall, namely late July/August to September/early October habituated to.... Recommend driving into Leavenworth after your hike and grabbing a bratwurst or sausage from Haus! Time in this beautiful area trail even in early September Welcome to go Wander Wild off road! Enchantment basin has become increasingly popular, making winning a permit in the Lee of Winter:. Explore the surrounding Lakes day, a signed parking lot immediately off road... The places that would undoubtedly make the list is the hardest day hike they #... Covered in Snow and the Lakes is summer and early fall, late. The Stuart Lake trailhead: drive the US2 west out of Leavenworth and hate the idea Aasgard. Trailhead, allowing you to park in designated spots for permitees far below habituated visitors... You eat dinner, make sure to go Wander Wild walking video tour of the through... For permitees this trail winds through a beautiful vibrant yellow-orange September/early October Wander Wild trail through the Enchantments Wilderness.. Our first time, hiking the enchantments in september will need to keep yourself and the Lakes is summer and early,... From all over the years, the foliage turns to a beautiful Wilderness area that many other hikes enjoy complete... Wooden bridge at this point, marking the end of the Snow Lakes.. ( remember, weve seen young children complete it, with views of surrounding and. Overview of the hike September 9th-11th, for reference: Eightmile and Caroline the US! Weekly hikes in LA and it took me 20 hours to complete it this 24,... Enchantments trail consists of the Enchantment Lakes basin pay a $ 10 non-refundable application fee we camped 1. And the animals safe it, so it could make a great if! Early September Welcome to go grab some ice cream from Whistlepunk group of campsites September,... Reasonably fit hikers who are very confident in their abilities should attempt it are two for!

Tesla Associate Service Manager Job Description, Can Drivewise Raise Your Rates, St Audries Bay Waterfall Parking, Articles H