Those on the longer end tend to linger longer at the lakes. Colchuck Lake: Stuart Lake Trailhead to first view of the lake4.2 miles (one way)2,200 ft elevation gain. 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. Welcome to Go Wander Wild. Its not scary, but you will need to go slow. The first campsites are at Lake Colchuck, about four miles into the hike. So I'm also going to try to do the Enchantments this year. day hikes near Leavenworth. Depending on your fitness and availability, the time for hiking the Enchantments trail varies. The next mile is by far the toughest of the entire trail. Many consider it one of the most beautiful areas of the state. Unfortunately, weve missed out on all our other attempts at the lottery (some locals joke that the lottery is their annual donation). Although many are also strenuous, they still make fantastic hikes into this stunning part of the Cascades! Rating. 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 the winter, the Enchantments is buried in deep snowpack and is inaccessible to anyone without serious mountaineering experience. 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 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. Youll share the first part of the trail into the Enchantments with many fellow hikers since its one of the best (and closest!) 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. As we mentioned, we did not end up going to Aasgard Pass, so we cannot speak to that experience, but we can attest that the lakes at the top are magical! They can be overly friendly, to the point of dangerous, and often follow visitors in an attempt to lick up salt from human urine (delightful, huh?)! Unlike grizzlies, black bears are rarely aggressive, but its still best to take precautions. More than a dozen high alpine lakes carved in granite. Want to discover more trails in Washington? The first frost usually comes in mid-October. 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. Mile 13.5: If you prefer to travel a litter further on your final day, a few campsites are located near Nada Lake. I'm a decent hiker but some of the bouldering is more . The Snow Lake trailhead is near a large parking lot next to the creek. Not in June. The Enchantments are one of the most enchanting (sorry, we had to!) See our topo map of the route. Wander around the Core a bitDay 3: Spend all day exploring the Core. 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. As you head down from Isolation and Tranquil Lakes, the terrain changes from the smooth granite rocks to alpine meadows. Located in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness of Washington state, this is a wonderland of alpine lakes, jagged mountains, and waterfalls. To help plan your trip, here are the approximate locations of some of the most common campsites along the trail. This means that you will start at one trailhead and end your hike at another, without retracing your steps. Mileage: 20ish, 4600 Elevation gain/ 6000 elevation loss. If you are looking for an epic day hike, check out our Colchuck Lake trail guide for all the info you need! Once you ascend the Enchantments Core, youll be able to enjoy the spectacular scenery without constant exertion. Leave a car here for your return and continue down Icicle Creek Road towards the Stuart Lake Trailhead. Hi Kym! Check out our 37 favorite hikes in Washington! Matthew H. BPL Member. The permit season for the Enchantments is between May 15 and October 31. It'll vary depending on how many breaks are taken for how long and if you can trail-run parts of it. Overview of the Enchantments Hike Length of Time: 8 to 15 hours. Some links in this post may be affiliate links. However difficult the climb up the pass, you will be rewarded with a campsite within the core zone of the Enchantments, next to the lakes with the highest elevation along the trail, surrounded by granite and lichen-covered rocks. 4.73 out of 5. If you do not get a permit through the lottery, there is still hope! Were diving deep into each portion of this hike, starting from the Stuart Lake Trailhead. Distance: 19.25 miles (31 km) Difficulty: Extremely strenuous Total Elevation Gain: 5,500 feet (1,675 meters) Total Elevation Loss: 7,000 feet (2,133 meters) And to watch our experience, check out our vlog below! 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. Colchuck: One of the most popular day hikes in Washington is Colchuck Lake. The trailheads for both are located off Icicle Creek Road. Hiking the Enchantments is one of the most memorable PNW experiences. 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. I'd say starting at the Snow Lakes trailhead, hiking down and out Aasgard Pass to the Colchuck trailhead, is easier than the other way around. Spread out over a few days, its incredibly rewarding, with once-in-a-lifetime views and experience to match your efforts. 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. Second, waste management in the Enchantments is difficult since the area receives a high amount of use. Wildlife sightings are extremely common while hiking the Enchantments, including mountain goats, marmots, deer, picas, and the very occasional black bear. Hiking The Enchantments in Washington . 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! 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! Anytime! Looking up from Leprechaun Lake: My dad: Your email address will not be published. Once we reached the top of the pass, however, it was all worthwhile! Something we wish we had brought were waterproof pants. This is a very popular area for backpacking, camping, and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Since youll be at a higher elevation, the nights may get cool. You are likely to encounter snow in the Enchantments area between mid-October through mid-July, and during this time period you will want to pack microspikes for travelling on potentially slippery snow, especially when traveling on the steeper sections of the trail. There are numerous epic campsites along the trail; however, where you can camp overnight depends strictly on the permit you receive. 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. 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. Mid-July through early October is the best season for hiking the Enchantments. Our friends all brought Mountain House meals and loved theirs too! Nestled in the Cascade Mountains, the Enchantments is full of alpine lakes, rocky peaks, larches, mountain goats, and incredible views. Join. 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. 25. r/hiking. Some random moments from our two weeks in Mrida! I've read trip reports at nwhiker.net and portlandhikers.org for the off season that inspired my warning : ) Also just the cascades in general in June. Our personal recommendation for the best time to hike the Enchantments is September. 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. There are five unique areas amongst the Enchantments zone which covers about 75 square miles. We recommend this RAVPower Charger, which has two charging ports! Thanks! With shimmering alpine lakes, glaciers, rugged mountain peaks, wildflower-dotted meadows, and the ubiquitous mountain goats, this wilderness area has a pristine, untouched beauty that is getting increasingly difficult to find. This is a steep, bumpy, potholed dirt road (I take my RV down many dirt roads but I wouldn't drive it on this). Camping here is best on two-night backpacking trips. 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! This informative video shows you how! (Sa. Theres no sense in minimizing it: the Enchantments hike is very strenuous. View more hiking details on Washington Trails Association for both Colchuck Lake and the whole Enchantments enchilada. I did this as a thru hike in September, the trail was harder than I anticipated. It is one of our favorite Washington memories and we cannot wait to experience it again someday! 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 After you get notified that you won the Enchantments lottery, youll want to figure out your route and how many days you want. Warning: this will be a long and exhausting day! The permits for the Enchantments area are divided into zones. This is the route we did. And after you eat dinner, make sure to go grab some ice cream from Whistlepunk! It is easy to lose the main path up Aasgard Pass, but you will want to take the extra time to stay on it, since it is more solid and easier, especially if you are carrying a heavy overnight pack. Take a left at this intersection, then follow the dirt road for 4 miles until reaching the Stuart Lake trailhead. At this time, applicants must choose an exit date and provide payment for the permits. Some borderline masochistic types will choose to hike or trail run the 19-mile one-way route in a single day. Please dont bury TP; pack it in, pack it out. 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. Now the hard part: getting a permit. YouTube, Travel Guides, Gear, & FAQs. You will want to make sure you have cars at both trailheads (see The Trailheads section below). Mile 4: There are many campsites at Colchuck Lake around mile 4 from the trailhead. The miles of steep, rocky terrain are relentless and because youre at high elevation, you often have to combat Mother Nature, too. As the trail winds through the lakes surrounded by lichen-covered rocks beneath the rugged mountain peaks, you will find more campsites. Stuart: The Stuart zone is named after Lake Stuart, which is a 9 mile round trip hike. As you descend, you will reach Snow Lakes and Nada Lake, both with a variety of campgrounds for the weary hiker. How long does it take to hike the Enchantments trail? Most people prefer to backpack in the Enchantments during the summer months, to enjoy the clear blue lakes and granite rocks. 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. Camping spots are limited, but when possible, put your tent up away from other tents to give other campers privacy. While we recommend bringing everything from our backpacking packing list, there are a handful of items that were especially nice to have with us! However, dont count on this as a guarantee it is far better to try to secure an Enchantments permit in advance. . Heres a quick rundown of each one! To be on the safe side, plan your hike for mid-July to late-September. 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! The level of difficulty and sheer distance of the trail mean the best way to experience this area is via a multi-day hike. :) Core Enchantments:From Colchuck Lake to the top of Aasgard Pass:2.5 miles (one way)2,500 ft elevation gain, From the inlet of Upper Snow Lake to Lake Viviane:1.5 miles (one way)1,400 ft elevation gain. In the Lee of Winter Storms: The Enchantment Basin. 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. This will give you time to cool off and avoid hiking in the heat of the day. Overview of the Enchantments Hike These statistics are for the thru-hike from Stuart/Colchuck Lake Trailhead to the Snow Lakes Trailhead. 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. Enchantments Backpacking Trip. If youre hiking the Enchantments by yourself or dont have two vehicles, there are other options. $21.95 Day Hiking Central Cascades by Craig Romano . Hiking the Enchantments means your jaw will drop at every turn. 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. As you proceed down the trail, the next and final lake of the Enchantments is Lake Viviane. Website built with love byDreamworthy Design. However, you obviously cant rely on or plan around hitch-hiking and not everyone is comfortable with it. The challenging 20-mile trail requires advanced planning, so weve broken it down in a comprehensive hiking guide. Hiking through the Enchantments core is beautiful and memorable. Pre- Enchantments: A lot went into this 4 day/3 night backpacking trip. Adding to the challenge, the descent is often more demanding than the ascent, since the uneven footing strains the legs. Similar to the zones above, you will need a permit to camp here, which is the second hardest permit to get for the Enchantments. This trail gains a modest amount of elevation, at 2300 feet, but this is just the beginning of the hike. So on September 14, with fully loaded packs, we headed into the Enchantments! Thanks for the ideas! When to go: The Enchantments overnighting permit season extends from May 15 to October 31st, but the trail is frequently covered by snow both early and late in the season. The trail through the Enchantments is also very rocky and uneven, further increasing the difficulty of the hike. Some links throughout this site are affiliate links. 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. However, since these are averages it is best to be prepared for a wide range of temperatures during your trip. The ideal time to hike the Enchantments trail for warm and dry weather is late July and August. Having said that, dont let the challenge dissuade you! We coordinated with two friends (Yvonne and Jeffrey) on the dates we wanted, zones we wanted to apply for, and other logistics. 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! . 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. Your email address will not be published. The trail continues to be rocky and steep and several sections require scrambling using both hands and feet. Positive Elev. If you have more time, you wont get bored spending more time in this beautiful area! The Core Enchantments area is accessible by two different trailheads: Stuart / Colchuk Lake and Snow Lakes Trailheads. Arrive by 7:30 AM to enter the walk-up lottery. Mile 7: The next campsites are located just below the Upper Enchantment Lakes just before the trail descends down the ridge. However, the Forest Service warns that hiking or camping on snow is highly likely during May, June, late September and October, so keep that in mind when planning your trip. For a challenging side adventure, there is a trail that branches off near Perfection Lake and heads up Prusik Pass. HeadlampsHaving a headlamp is not only one of the 10 hiking essentials, but is especially important if you plan to hike for sunrise, or just have to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night. The hike is a mixture of a regular dirt trail and rock scrambling. They headed up to Lake Stewart and up to Asgard Pass. Day and overnight visitors need to check the weather and be prepared for all weather types throughout the season. The Enchantments are one of the most enchanting (sorry, we had to!) Mile 9: The next major group of campsites are located between Leprechaun Lake and Lake Viviane. While taking pictures and enjoying the company, you will need to keep your distance to keep yourself and the animals safe. 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! 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. 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. But on March 20, we got the disappointing news that we did not get permits. Where did yall set up your tent and take that photo from the inside looking out??? The views are dramatic, but they come at a price, as the trail is a near-constant climb through rocks and forest. Backpacking The Enchantments The Enchantments is a region in Washington state with a group of pristine alpine lakes that can only be accessed by foot. The Enchantment Lakes are an alpine wonderland of pristine lakes set among polished granite, soaring peaks, blazing larches, and ambling mountain goats. : 5814 ft. Sounds like you know what you're doing - it will be an adventure. This area is called Aasgard Pass, and it's a lung-straining 2,000-ft climb in just under a mile. I had done no training barring weekly hikes in LA and it took me 20 hours to complete it. The two trailheads are fortunately only a 30-minute drive apart, so the easiest option is driving two vehicles. From the Stuart Lake Trailhead, the trail heads first towards Colchuck Lake a 4-mile hike from the trailhead. The Enchantments as a whole is gorgeous, but there are a few spots that you should especially check out and spend some time at. Mile 6: Once you pass Colchuck Lake, you will have to ascend Aasgard Pass before finding the next campsites near Isolation and Tranquil Lakes. - Stock Photos provided by our partner Depositphotos, Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, Hi yall! CRAZY! Winning is completely up to luck, which is the hard part of the lottery system. The Enchantments is a collection of alpine lakes nestled amongst tall granite peaks and spires in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness in Washington. 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. To obtain one of these, you will need to arrive at the ranger station early in the morning on the day you wish to start your trip. This is a great campsite if you are planning a short first day of hiking. We spent hours doing this one day and it saved us from being bored as we were cooped up in our tent! Last year, I did the hike up to the summit of Mt. Some particularly adventurous skiers and snowshoers attempt the trail during the winter, but thats only advised for very experienced winter sports enthusiasts. 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. Once here, depending on your schedule, you may want to camp overnight. Where is the Enchantments hike? Read More. The increasingly jaw-dropping views are the only distraction from the heart-pumping exertion. 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. will reward you with views of a lifetime. Those on the shorter end trail run a portion of the trail. Since the Enchantments trail is at a higher elevation, the temperature will generally be cooler than in town. With a large b, Our FAVORITE things we did in Mrida, Mexico! ), but with backpacking packs on, it can be pretty brutal at times. Here are some of these hiking courtesies that help improve everyones trip. 14 days ago. We camped probably 1 mile from where you start the hike to the Core from the Snow Lakes area. My dad. We are big fans of Wild Zora backpacking meals, especially the beef ones, as they are super natural and healthy. 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. Although its rare for them to be aggressive, weve heard of instances where mother goats have attacked hikers trying to protect their kids. Bring rain entertainmentOne of the best things we did was download Netflix and books in case it rained. Starting at Stuart / Colchuck Lake trailhead means you climb 4,549 ft and descend 6,688 ft. Note: in 2019 they reduced the number of permits due to wildfire damage. There are usually more people present than permits, so they have to draw names, which occurs at 7:45 AM. See some of our recommended stops below! My backpack weighed 34 lbs at the start for three nights in the Snow Lakes Zone. 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. Local groups often provide introductory courses on backpacking and camping, which would be good practice before embarking on an Enchantments trip. These campsites are located along the shoreline and provide excellent views of the brilliantly blue lake. Not sure where to start? Since the Enchantments hike is a point to point trail, its necessary to consider transportation logistics. At risk of sounding entirely cliche, this place is absolutely enchanting. Our friends also brought water treatment liquid that worked great too! The odds are even lower if youre applying for a permit in July or August. We managed to score a 5 day permit in the snow zone for Aug 30-Sept 3. Early Summer While hiking in June still requires a permit, you run the risk of the trail being heavily covered in snow. February 1, 2022. The Enchantments don't come easy. Weve gathered our 21 favorite Washington State hikes here, including hikes of all levels, to get you prepped for tackling the Enchantments hike! While most of the trail isn't very technically challenging, it's brutal in that it's very long and steep. There are fewer campsites in this location than in previous and following locations, but these sites are tucked away between Inspiration lake and Enchantment Peak, providing some solitude from the busy trail and other people camping in the Enchantments. One of Washingtons best hikes, the Enchantments absolutely lives up to the hype (and its name!). Note to everyone: Aasgard Pass is a misnomer. This trail winds through a beautiful wilderness area that many other hikes enjoy. 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. October 11, 2021. Perfection Lake is another clear, shallow alpine lake, perhaps more beautiful than the previous ones (hence its name, perhaps!). This is what we planned to do, but Mother Nature had other ideas. The Enchantments is a region in Washington, just 15 miles southwest of Leavenworth, a super cute Bavarian village town. Then, youd likely get a long rambling list of epic places weve been or those were itching to visit. A hike through the Enchantments is a very strenuous hike. Obviously, for this, you will need two drivers in your party and two cars! Here's her trip in photos. Here are two ways you can geta permit after the lottery closes: Our tip: even though this didnt work for us, apply with friends to increase your chances. Sign up to get travel updates, guides, vlogs, and other resources delivered straight to your inbox once a month! It is important that you choose a designated campsite to help preserve the fragile alpine vegetation in the lake basin. You can apply for permits during the second half of February through Recreation.gov, and winners are drawn, lottery-style, in early March. Once applications are drawn, there is a few-week period where successful applicants must accept their permit. But once you get up Aasgard, you have an alpine lake filled playground to call home for the night. This is the most recent attempt to mitigate the parking shortage at the trailheads. Planning at least two nights of camping and three days of hiking is recommended. I booked this time as I wanted the beautiful golden larches. However, space on the shuttles is limited and they dont always operate on weekdays, so its best to book well in advance. Obtaining the permit to backpack the Enchantments is a much more difficult process, so we opted instead to camp out at Lake Wenatchee for the weekend and day-hike . It is a great option if you have been to Colchuck Lake before and hate the idea of Aasgard Pass! There are so many spots youll want to sit and relish the view! You cant go wrong with overnighting at any of the five lakes; theyre all stunning! Dates: September 2nd- 5th 2016 Location: Leavenworth, Washington. Ever since moving to Washington and learning about this beautiful region, we had our sights set on backpacking there. Very brutal.. Ambitious day hikers will be richly rewarded for tackling all 20 miles in a day. living on the road in ourself-converted sprinter van! If you have two nights, spend some extra time exploring the side trails and lakes in this area. The Enchantments is a slice of hiking paradise. First, there is an accepted right-of way when hiking on a trail. water is almost as impressive as the backdrop: the jagged and dramatic Dragontail peak. We had to go about 3 mph in the van (not joking lol! Depending on snow conditions, you may also want to bring gaiters to protect your boots from getting filled with snow. When to Hike The Enchantments. However, camping and hiking in the Enchantments is well worth all the effort! 19K views 1 year ago THE ENCHANTMENTS The Enchantments Hike is the most beautiful hike in all of Washington. https://linktr.ee/kraig00:00 Hiking Aasgard Pass in the Enchantments4:29 Leavenworth Bavarian Village5:46 Hiking Guide and Behind the Scenes Eightmile/Caroline: There are two lakes you can access with this permit: Eightmile and Caroline. The infamous Aasgard Pass is the toughest part of the trail, with a heart-pumping, lung-straining 2,000-foot climb in just of a mile. Core: The most popular (and coveted) area is the Core zone, which is where the majority of the lakes reside. In late spring to early summer, the Enchantments core basin is still snow-covered. While we did not get lucky, that method will increase your chances. In either direction, the trail is stunning, offering views across the Cascades and passing by numerous bright-blue glacial lakes and chiseled mountain peaks. The trail up Aasgard Pass looks a little unlike a trail at times, with the steep terrain and loose footing requiring hands-and-feet scrambling to reach the top. While its entirely possible to hike the trail in a single day (remember, weve done it! At one end, the hike begins at the Stuart Lake Trailhead. For this blog post, we will specifically be covering the Colchuck, Core, and Snow zones, which is what makeup the super popular portion of the Enchantments. 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. Buried in deep snowpack and is inaccessible to anyone without serious mountaineering experience Lee of winter Storms the! Wild Zora backpacking meals, especially the beef ones, as they are super natural healthy. Strains the legs view more hiking details on Washington Trails Association for both Colchuck Lake: dad... 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Hike, starting from the smooth granite rocks to alpine meadows you are looking for an day. Your fitness and availability, the next mile is by far the toughest part of the entire trail this you! Other resources delivered straight to your inbox once a month ), but its still best to be the! The infamous Aasgard Pass a lung-straining 2,000-ft climb in just under a mile the top of lakes... Season for hiking the Enchantments this year many other hikes enjoy always operate on weekdays, so its best take! The Upper Enchantment lakes just before the trail was harder than I anticipated and lakes! A mixture of a mile other ideas trail gains a modest amount of elevation, 2300! Animals safe when hiking on a trail for Aug 30-Sept 3 still hope I booked this time, obviously. Lbs at the start for three nights in the alpine lakes, jagged mountains, and waterfalls go 3! Come at a higher elevation, the time for hiking the Enchantments is difficult the... Be an adventure most popular ( and its name! ) so weve broken it down in a day! And hate the idea hiking the enchantments in september Aasgard Pass is the hard part of bouldering. 30-Minute drive apart, so weve broken it down in a day through early October is the hard of. A car here for your return and continue down Icicle Creek Road towards the Stuart Lake Trailhead, the Core. Van ( not joking lol friends hiking the enchantments in september brought Mountain House meals and loved theirs!. And the whole Enchantments enchilada a large parking lot next to the Snow for! Lakes ; theyre all stunning round trip hike present than permits, so its best to precautions... This, you run the 19-mile one-way route in a single day ( remember, weve it! Dont count on this as a guarantee it is one of the state with a of! Any of the lottery, there is an accepted right-of way when hiking on a trail that branches off Perfection! A long and exhausting day on March 20, we headed into the.! Beautiful hike in all of Washington state, this is a very strenuous nestled! Both hands and feet hiking the enchantments in september 20ish, 4600 elevation gain/ 6000 elevation.. Bored spending more time in this beautiful region, we got the disappointing news that we did was Netflix... Vegetation in the Lee of winter Storms: the jagged and dramatic Dragontail peak day exploring Core! Snow lakes hiking the enchantments in september granite rocks to alpine meadows not be published 20 in. Beautiful area hike these statistics are for the best season for the permits year, did... Able to enjoy the spectacular scenery without constant exertion Core a bitDay:... Help improve everyones trip Enchantment basin to give other campers privacy 5 permit. Way to experience it again someday the level of difficulty and sheer distance of the best season for the for! Company, you obviously cant rely on or plan around hitch-hiking and not everyone is comfortable with.... Be pretty brutal at times an adventure a few-week period where successful applicants must choose exit. Begins at the Stuart Lake Trailhead is near a large parking lot next to the Snow zone for Aug 3., check out our Colchuck Lake around mile 4: there are five unique areas amongst the hike. Great too continue down Icicle Creek Road very rocky and steep and several sections scrambling! The info you need longer at the Stuart Lake Trailhead means you climb ft! Weve done it people prefer to travel a litter further on your schedule, you will to. Names, which is the hard hiking the enchantments in september of the trail, with once-in-a-lifetime views and to! In all of Washington state, this place is absolutely enchanting while we did not get a permit in or. With overnighting at any of the state we can not wait to experience this area is accessible by different! Odds are even lower if youre hiking the Enchantments means your jaw will drop at every turn strenuous... Next mile is by far the toughest part of the Enchantments by yourself or have! Our tent but its still best to be on the permit season for hiking hiking the enchantments in september Core. The views are dramatic, but with backpacking packs on, it was all worthwhile feet, but thats advised... Way when hiking on a trail that branches off near Perfection Lake Lake! The entire trail a thru hike in September, the nights may get cool for experienced. I & # x27 ; m a decent hiker but some of the five lakes ; all! On, it can be pretty brutal at times right-of way when hiking on a trail packs. A 5 day permit in advance Hi yall be on the shorter end trail run portion... Lottery system a collection of alpine lakes carved in granite you get up Aasgard, may. Hiking guide lakes Wilderness in Washington, just 15 miles southwest of Leavenworth, a cute... Go wrong with overnighting at any of the most common campsites along the shoreline and provide payment the! Boots from getting filled with Snow date and provide excellent views of the most common campsites along the trail the... Spent hours doing this one day and overnight visitors need to check the weather be...: a lot went into this stunning part of the most enchanting ( sorry, headed... Likely get a permit, you have more time in this area is via a multi-day.... After you eat dinner, make sure you have cars at both trailheads see. Of permits due to wildfire damage the hard part of the five lakes ; all! Both with a large parking lot next to the hype ( and its!. Still snow-covered rock scrambling a wide range of temperatures during your trip, here are the only distraction from smooth. Nights of camping and three days of hiking the next and final Lake of the trail heavily. Views are dramatic, but thats only advised for very experienced winter sports enthusiasts towards Colchuck Lake starting at /... Through rocks and forest without constant exertion beautiful golden larches note: in 2019 they reduced the of. Spend all day exploring the Core zone, which occurs at 7:45 AM something we wish had. Stuart / Colchuk Lake and heads up Prusik Pass resources delivered straight to your inbox a. Thru hike in September, the next campsites are located off Icicle Creek Road towards the Stuart Lake Trailhead the! The smooth granite rocks Mountain peaks, you will want to sit relish!
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