Hiking the Enchantments takes you through a variety of diverse terrain, which can be roughly broken down into three sections. Try this 20.5-mile point-to-point trail near Leavenworth, Washington. As you approach Leavenworth from the west on Highway 2, you will turn onto Icicle Creek Road on the edge of town. Check out our 37 favorite hikes in Washington! These are the hikes I did (if you don't live in Seattle, pick hikes of similar length and elevation gain): . Day-to-day, the weather can be unpredictable. September 8, 2016. - Stock Photos provided by our partner Depositphotos, Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, Hi yall! But the wait, stress, and uncertainty of getting to access this area is worth it!Note: Dogs are not allowed in the Enchantments. 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. If you are chosen, you must log in to choose your exit date and the number of people in your party (8 people max), as well as pay for the permit, which is $5/person per day. The map below shows the area that make up the Enchantments. This day-hike only shares a couple of miles of the Enchantments Trail, bypassing most of the crowds for solitude in a stunning valley. Hiking the Enchantments is one of the most memorable PNW experiences. We only recommend products we truly love, actually use during our adventures, and think you can benefit from too! No clue if this is beneficial but it does feel like it's getting easier. Its also important to note theres a lot to consider before hiking the Enchantments. One thing thats good to know is that we saw a lot of different mileage reports for this hike. The Enchantment Lakes are an alpine wonderland of pristine lakes set among polished granite, soaring peaks, blazing larches, and ambling mountain goats. More than a dozen high alpine lakes carved in granite. The best season to hike to the lakes is summer and early fall, namely late July/August to September/early October. It is mostly just super bumpy, rocky, and steep. YouTube, Travel Guides, Gear, & FAQs. 208SX by Green Trails Maps . In fact, people have died doing so from falling into crevasses or waterfall holes. day hikes near Leavenworth. Go Wander Wild are participants in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. With a daypack, the scrambling isnt too bad (I hate rock scrambling and didnt cry! For a challenging side adventure, there is a trail that branches off near Perfection Lake and heads up Prusik Pass. Although many are also strenuous, they still make fantastic hikes into this stunning part of the Cascades! Hiking in North Cascades National Park in Washington. While taking pictures and enjoying the company, you will need to keep your distance to keep yourself and the animals safe. There are five total regions: Eightmile/Caroline, Stuart, Colchuck, Core, and Snow. Through-hiking the Enchantments in one day will challenge and reward you, but it's not for everyone. You cant go wrong with overnighting at any of the five lakes; theyre all stunning! 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. The descent from here is long and tedious, and the large decline in elevation challenges most hikers. 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! 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. Pin this blog post to prep for your trip! Once you ascend the Enchantments Core, youll be able to enjoy the spectacular scenery without constant exertion. To help plan your trip, here are the approximate locations of some of the most common campsites along the trail. This informative video shows you how! Mile 7: The next campsites are located just below the Upper Enchantment Lakes just before the trail descends down the ridge. 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! Near the Bavarian town of Leavenworth (but hidden from sight), The Enchantments loom. Since youll be at a higher elevation, the nights may get cool. :) As you proceed down the trail, the next and final lake of the Enchantments is Lake Viviane. The Snow Lake trailhead is off of Icicle Creek Road and has a decent parking lot. A lot of people were doing this and it is allowed. ), 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. Understandably, the trail gets busy and snagging an overnight permit is extremely tough. Day Hike: As we mentioned above, if you do not get a permit to backpack, you can dayhike it! Four of us applied together and each put the same dates, zones, etc. Although bears are not commonly sighted, they are present in the area and may also try to get into food. If you do not have prior wilderness backpacking experience, first try some shorter trips to learn how to pack, improve your fitness level, and practice backpacking skills. Regardless of the weather you will need to be prepared for fluctuating temperatures and potential storms. Just beyond Aasgard Pass, the area known as the Core Enchantments Zone offers otherworldly views completely different from the forest below. The smaller creatures in the Enchantments marmots, pikas, marten, squirrels are used to finding human food around backpacks and tents. 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. 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! The next mile is by far the toughest of the entire trail. The lakes clear, blue (and freeeezing cold!) Soon, the forest reappears and its a foot-battering descent down to the Snow Lake trailhead. If there are still advance permits that did not sell, they will also give these away during the walk-up lottery. You may also be able to snag a spot later in the evening when day hikers are leaving. If you have more time, you wont get bored spending more time in this beautiful area! 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. Snow: This is the zone we camped in during our time in the Enchantments. Many consider it one of the most beautiful areas of the state. Website built with love byDreamworthy Design. The abundance of granite-carved lakes in the Enchantments makes the area a wonderful spot to explore at a leisurely pace. You can also find information on AllTrails (Colchuck Lake, the Enchantments). From the Stuart Lake Trailhead, the trail heads first towards Colchuck Lake a 4-mile hike from the trailhead. The trail through the Enchantments is also very rocky and uneven, further increasing the difficulty of the hike. Winning is completely up to luck, which is the hard part of the lottery system. Mile 6: Once you pass Colchuck Lake, you will have to ascend Aasgard Pass before finding the next campsites near Isolation and Tranquil Lakes. When the landscape is snow-covered, the lakes may be frozen and not distinguishable from the rest of the landscape. When: Do it between late July and early September. Some links throughout this site are affiliate links. 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. The mountain goats in particular are habituated to visitors. The summer temperatures drop (it occasionally reaches a scorching 100 degrees in July and August!) 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. While we did not get lucky, that method will increase your chances. This is what we planned to do, but Mother Nature had other ideas. We coordinated with two friends (Yvonne and Jeffrey) on the dates we wanted, zones we wanted to apply for, and other logistics. Having said that, dont let the challenge dissuade you! We saw tons of people doing this, but make sure you get a very early start so you can finish before dark and also have time to enjoy it without rushing. Hiker from Olympia The trail The Enchantments trail consists of the Stuart Lake Trail, Colchuck Lake Trail and Snow Lakes Trail. In February I put in the permit application for the enchantments as I heard everyone talking about it. Viewing 13 posts - 1 through 13 (of 13 total) Jun 24, 2014 at 7:44 am #1318302. A permit for the Core Enchantment zone allows overnight stays within any of the zones, making it the best choice for a hike through the Enchantments. ELEVATION GAIN: around 5,000 feet of elevation gain across the entire 20-mile length of the trail; this includes climbing 1,900 feet in less than a mile up and over Aasgard Pass. 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. Yay, congrats! 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. The route is described below beginning at the Stuart Lake Trailhead. . Hiking through the Enchantments core is beautiful and memorable. 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. Join. If you only want to see the Core, this would be a good option for you! Where is the Enchantments hike? It is one of our favorite Washington memories and we cannot wait to experience it again someday! When hiking in the Enchantments, it is necessary to use the wilderness toilets established in the area, as the area is high use and finding used toilet paper on the side of the trail is unpleasant. Even if you dont see other hikers, there are probably other people who can hear your music. Similar to the zones above, you will need a permit to camp here, which is the second hardest permit to get for the Enchantments. Hi yall! 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. Wildlife sightings are extremely common while hiking the Enchantments, including mountain goats, marmots, deer, picas, and the very occasional black bear. To overnight between May and October, however, a lottery permit is required. 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. After you finish your hike, its time to celebrate! When we went, we didnt see many people at all near Snow Lakes (I actually dont remember running into anyone over there, minus people hiking through), so there were multiple campsite options. The increasingly jaw-dropping views are the only distraction from the heart-pumping exertion. We hope you snag a permit! Something we wish we had brought were waterproof pants. 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. Planning at least two nights of camping and three days of hiking is recommended. Elev. While Aasgard Pass terrifies us, we want to experience it once in our lifetime and wed rather do it without the heavy packs. 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 It is important that you choose a designated campsite to help preserve the fragile alpine vegetation in the lake basin. A point-to-point trail, you can start the Enchantments hike from either the Stuart Lake Trailhead or the Snow Lakes Trailhead. My dad. Instead of backpacking, wed love to try day hiking it next time. After you get notified that you won the Enchantments lottery, youll want to figure out your route and how many days you want. Tucked away in a particularly rugged area of Washington, just accessing this beautiful environment takes substantial planning. Wildlife in the area is accustomed to visitors, making it easy to get good pictures of any you spot during your trip. Can you drive to the enchantments? Enter: Christie, our Enchantments savior. Thanks for the ideas! And our favorite way to celebrate? If you spend any time in Washington, it won't take long to hear about the Enchantments. Regardless, we decided to go for it considering the luck of the permits - so here is the recap of The Enchantments hike that we completed September 26-27, 2020. 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. Want to discover more trails in Washington? Town of Leavenworth ( but hidden from sight ), the trail the Enchantments trail consists of the lakes... Enchantments Core is beautiful and memorable are habituated to visitors, making it to! ( I hate rock scrambling and didnt cry strenuous, they are present the. The nights may get cool Creek Road on the edge of town Snow: this is the hard of... 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