This is the most recent attempt to mitigate the parking shortage at the trailheads. hiking the Enchantments, WA. 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. They are pit toilets, but its good for a last minute bathroom break before hitting the trail! 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. Water filterWhile we have a pretty large Camelbak bladder to store water, it wasnt enough water for a three day hike. Hiking with music can be fun but it is good practice to use headphones so that other hikers dont have to listen to it. You can also find information on AllTrails (Colchuck Lake, the Enchantments). Before embarking on your adventure, please review theLeave No Trace principlesto ensure you leave every place better than you found it, so that others can enjoy these beautiful places for many years to come!These seven principles include planning ahead and preparing, hiking and camping on durable surfaces, disposing of waste properly (pack out what you pack in! Camping here is best on two-night backpacking trips. 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. Snow: This is the zone we camped in during our time in the Enchantments. You can either try to get a walk up permit (covered above) or day hike it (covered below). Here you will also encounter larches, the iconic coniferous tree with deciduous needles that turn bright yellow before they drop for the winter. When the landscape is snow-covered, the lakes may be frozen and not distinguishable from the rest of the landscape. 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. 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. We got passed by a lot of people haha. So I'm also going to try to do the Enchantments this year. Take a left at this intersection, then follow the dirt road for 4 miles until reaching the Stuart Lake trailhead. You cant go wrong with overnighting at any of the five lakes; theyre all stunning! Maybe you'll get lucky and have good weather. Having said that, dont let the challenge dissuade you! Thanks for the ideas! The permit season for the Enchantments is between May 15 and October 31. Note: in 2019 they reduced the number of permits due to wildfire damage. We managed to score a 5 day permit in the snow zone for Aug 30-Sept 3. 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. Very brutal.. This is what we planned to do, but Mother Nature had other ideas. It is one of our favorite Washington memories and we cannot wait to experience it again someday! 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. As you descend, you will reach Snow Lakes and Nada Lake, both with a variety of campgrounds for the weary hiker. One of Washingtons best hikes, the Enchantments absolutely lives up to the hype (and its name!). 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. Some links throughout this site are affiliate links. 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. The Enchantments live up to the hype and dazzle hikers willing to overcome the elevation gain needed to visit this high alpine paradise. Bear hangs are not recommended, as there are not good trees to implement a proper bear hang to keep food away from wildlife. The trail down to Inspiration Lake is steep the first taste of the downhill you will encounter on the remaining trail. 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. These permits can be difficult to secure, as most of them are drawn on a lottery. Inspiration Lake is tucked away in a pool surrounded by steep granite on three sides. Our first time, we were lucky enough to score camping permits and spend a few amazing days in this slice of paradise. 15 Best Hikes in North Cascades National Park, 11 Best Waterfalls in Washington State + Hikes to Find Them, How to Get From Seattle to Bainbridge Island (By Ferry or Road Trip! Many avoid the Permit hassle doing the Enchantments as a long day hike. Near the Bavarian town of Leavenworth (but hidden from sight), The Enchantments loom. Overview. For a challenging side adventure, there is a trail that branches off near Perfection Lake and heads up Prusik Pass. Were Adam, Kathryn, and Kona, an adventurous married couple (+ pup!) Check out our 37 favorite hikes in Washington! ), but with backpacking packs on, it can be pretty brutal at times. Toughest thing I have done. Although it may look too formidable to even attempt, the beautiful craggy peak behind Colchuck Lake is where the Enchantments hike continues. When to Hike The Enchantments. and permits are also a little easier to come by. Hiking The Enchantments in Washington . However, our friends had to park on the side of the road. The increasingly jaw-dropping views are the only distraction from the heart-pumping exertion. Don't shower for 3 weeks leading up your hike as a human repellent. day hikes near Leavenworth. Once we reached the top of the pass, however, it was all worthwhile! One thing thats good to know is that we saw a lot of different mileage reports for this hike. $21.95 Day Hiking Central Cascades by Craig Romano . We couldnt get enough of this section, and highly recommend it as the best for camping! With your permit you will receive special parking permits for each of the trailhead, allowing you to park in designated spots for permitees. If youre hiking the Enchantments by yourself or dont have two vehicles, there are other options. 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. With a large b, Our FAVORITE things we did in Mrida, Mexico! Although this is difficult, many people prefer this option to hiking the other direction, which involves a much longer strenuous uphill section of trail. Dates: September 2nd- 5th 2016 Location: Leavenworth, Washington. For most hikers, this is the hardest day hike they've ever done. This means that you will start at one trailhead and end your hike at another, without retracing your steps. Just have a few questions. The best time to go hiking in the Enchantments is mid-July through early October. Mile 7: The next campsites are located just below the Upper Enchantment Lakes just before the trail descends down the ridge. After you get notified that you won the Enchantments lottery, youll want to figure out your route and how many days you want. Just outside of the Bavarian town of Leavenworth, the Enchantments are part of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness filled with pristine glacial lakes surrounded by towering granite peaks. Wildlife in the area is accustomed to visitors, making it easy to get good pictures of any you spot during your trip. The only way to visit the Enchantments is by hiking and it is no easy task. The trail through the Enchantments is also very rocky and uneven, further increasing the difficulty of the hike. You should try taking them on a couple easier backpacking trips first to see how they do. Its a good idea to pack bear spray just to be safe. Wander around the Core a bitDay 3: Spend all day exploring the Core. "I can see why it's called the Enchantments. At this time, applicants must choose an exit date and provide payment for the permits. Permits: Day-to-day, the weather can be unpredictable. We will only ever recommend products we truly love, actually use during our adventures, and think you can benefit from too! Thanks! There are five unique areas amongst the Enchantments zone which covers about 75 square miles. Were talking beautiful wilderness full of clear alpine lakes, granite rocks, and vistas of sharp peaks. 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. Drive 8.4 miles and turn left onto Forest Service Road 7601. In the winter, the Enchantments is buried in deep snowpack and is inaccessible to anyone without serious mountaineering experience. Its not scary, but you will need to go slow. We coordinated with two friends (Yvonne and Jeffrey) on the dates we wanted, zones we wanted to apply for, and other logistics. 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. This website contains affiliate links from websites such as Amazon.com, Booking.com, and Rentalcars.com. Leave a car here for your return and continue down Icicle Creek Road towards the Stuart Lake Trailhead. A hike through the Enchantments is a very strenuous hike. An irregular pond due to its shape, not because of the presence of a real leprechaun, Leprechaun Lake sits under the steep ridges of McClelland Peak. Core: The most popular (and coveted) area is the Core zone, which is where the majority of the lakes reside. The best times to hike in the Enchantments are lake summer and early fall. Not sure where to start? However, obtaining wilderness permits has become increasingly competitive in recent years, which throws in another logistical obstacle. At risk of sounding entirely cliche, this place is absolutely enchanting. Talisman Lake Overview of the Enchantments Hike Length of Time: 8 to 15 hours. Theres no sense in minimizing it: the Enchantments hike is very strenuous. https://linktr.ee/kraig00:00 Hiking Aasgard Pass in the Enchantments4:29 Leavenworth Bavarian Village5:46 Hiking Guide and Behind the Scenes 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. Day and overnight visitors need to check the weather and be prepared for all weather types throughout the season. This day-hike only shares a couple of miles of the Enchantments Trail, bypassing most of the crowds for solitude in a stunning valley. 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. YouTube, Travel Guides, Gear, & FAQs. In addition to physical preparation, an understanding of wilderness travel and first aid will greatly improve your trip if anything goes wrong. While Aasgard Pass terrifies us, we want to experience it once in our lifetime and wed rather do it without the heavy packs. We hope to inform, inspire, and empower you to get outside and see this world, while doing your part to respect and protect the lands beneath your feet. Some particularly adventurous skiers and snowshoers attempt the trail during the winter, but thats only advised for very experienced winter sports enthusiasts. Some borderline masochistic types will choose to hike or trail run the 19-mile one-way route in a single day. And she got permits! Another good spot to check out is Yodelin. Hiker from Olympia The trail The Enchantments trail consists of the Stuart Lake Trail, Colchuck Lake Trail and Snow Lakes Trail. The Enchantments is a classic Washington hike. Where did yall set up your tent and take that photo from the inside looking out??? If you get lucky, you have until March 31 to accept your permit, otherwise those do become available to the public. The Yucatn Peninsula is the heart of the ancient, The cenotes tour we booked through @airbnbexperien. The ideal time to hike the Enchantments trail for warm and dry weather is late July and August. Enchantments Hike Specs: Length: 23.6 mi Elevation gain: 5,003 ft Route type: Point to point We hope you snag a permit! 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. The Snow Lake trailhead is near a large parking lot next to the creek. Day 4: Hike out through Colchuck. Was the road to Stuart Lake Trailhead scary or just extremely bumpy? The hike is a mixture of a regular dirt trail and rock scrambling. To preserve the experience of other hikers and the wilderness character of the trail, it is important to follow common hiking etiquettes. The weather in the mountains can change quickly, so always bring a rainjacket just in case! Bonus: during the tail end of the month and into October, the foliage turns to a beautiful vibrant yellow-orange! The environment here has turned from granite rocks to alpine marsh and meadow, full of grass and heather. 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. Talk about timing! Hikers use two trails to approach the Enchantments Basin. The miles of steep, rocky terrain are relentless and because youre at high elevation, you often have to combat Mother Nature, too. These campsites are located along the shoreline and provide excellent views of the brilliantly blue lake. 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. The summer temperatures drop (it occasionally reaches a scorching 100 degrees in July and August!) ), understanding campfire rules and always fully extinguishing your fires, respecting wildlife, and being considerate of other visitors. Here is a rundown of the mileage for different portions of the hike, directly from the Forest Service. Last year, I did the hike up to the summit of Mt. Backpacking the Enchantments is a very strenuous trip that (with the proper training!) As the trail winds through the lakes surrounded by lichen-covered rocks beneath the rugged mountain peaks, you will find more campsites. From the Stuart Lake Trailhead, the trail heads first towards Colchuck Lake a 4-mile hike from the trailhead. First, there is an accepted right-of way when hiking on a trail. 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