Enchantment Area Wilderness Permits The rugged and beautiful Enchantment Permit Area is contained within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness in the Cascade Mountains of Washington State. The weather can change quickly during your multi-day trip from the original forecast. Viewing 13 posts - 1 through 13 (of 13 total) Jun 24, 2014 at 7:44 am #1318302. Best Time to Hike the Enchantments The start of the Core Enchantment Zone As the permit window would suggest, the best time to hike the Enchantments is June - October. Permits and permit information is available on the Recreation.gov Portal. This informative video shows you how! The Enchantments are an absolutely amazing alpine wonderland located in central Washington state. 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?)! The next mile is by far the toughest of the entire trail. Comment below if you have questions about hiking the Enchantments in Washington state and well do our best to get back to you! This is the most recent attempt to mitigate the parking shortage at the trailheads. With over 2,000 feet of elevation gain in less than a single mile in distance, the climb challenges both stamina and determination. The views are dramatic, but they come at a price, as the trail is a near-constant climb through rocks and forest. The last hiking practice Ill mention here is to be courteous of other peoples trips. 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! After you finish your hike, its time to celebrate! 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. 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! But where do you start? We got passed by a lot of people haha. The setting is picture-perfect; however, hiking here in just one day from Stuart Lake is challenging. 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. The environment here has turned from granite rocks to alpine marsh and meadow, full of grass and heather. 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. The challenging 20-mile trail requires advanced planning, so weve broken it down in a comprehensive hiking guide. 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. Your email address will not be published. Hike Summary Distance: 20 miles one way Total Elevation Gain: 5,800 ft Total Elevation Loss: 7,400 ft Starting Elevation: 3,400 ft Highest Point: 7,800 ft Hike Time: 16 - 17 hrs Difficulty: Extremely Difficult Seasons: July - September Dogs: Not Allowed Pass Required (Day Hike): Northwest Forest Pass The Enchantments are an absolutely amazing alpine wonderland located in central Washington state. (Sa. 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. Where did yall set up your tent and take that photo from the inside looking out??? There are five total regions: Eightmile/Caroline, Stuart, Colchuck, Core, and Snow. However, you obviously cant rely on or plan around hitch-hiking and not everyone is comfortable with it. We spent hours doing this one day and it saved us from being bored as we were cooped up in our tent! If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. The odds are even lower if youre applying for a permit in July or August. Ever since moving to Washington and learning about this beautiful region, we had our sights set on backpacking there. We camped probably 1 mile from where you start the hike to the Core from the Snow Lakes area. To enter the permit lottery, you will first need to apply during the annual permit lottery (exact dates vary by year). In the summer, these will look like any other green coniferous tree unless you look for the distinctive bundles of needles coming off the branches. Once applications are drawn, there is a few-week period where successful applicants must accept their permit. Its also nice to see how far you have to your next stop . Day-to-day, the weather can be unpredictable. To reach the Snow Lakes trailhead to drop a car for your return trip, you will need to head into Leavenworth. In early September, Mrs. When you are being approached by faster hikers from behind, it is also courtesy to let them pass. 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. 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! Weve done multi-day hikes in the area (after obtaining the illustrious Enchantments Wilderness Permit), and weve also thru-hiked this 19-mile trail in one day. Ive done this as a thru hike, ending at snow lake TH, taking about 14hrs total. Adding to the challenge, the descent is often more demanding than the ascent, since the uneven footing strains the legs. 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. 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. Thanks! Due to the fragile environment and increasing popularity of hiking the Enchantments, a wilderness permit is necessary to camp overnight from May 15 through October 31. Hiking The Enchantments in Washington . 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. A hard-to-acquire permit is required to camp in any of the area's five zones, with the Enchantment Core permit being the most desirable. Something we wish we had brought were waterproof pants. Since the Enchantments hike is a point to point trail, its necessary to consider transportation logistics. Instead of backpacking, wed love to try day hiking it next time. Note to everyone: Aasgard Pass is a misnomer. In fact, people have died doing so from falling into crevasses or waterfall holes. The map below shows the area that make up the Enchantments. Day Hike: As we mentioned above, if you do not get a permit to backpack, you can dayhike it! will reward you with views of a lifetime. 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. Hiking with music can be fun but it is good practice to use headphones so that other hikers dont have to listen to it. Enter: Christie, our Enchantments savior. Most hikers start from Stuart Lake, and we recommend this direction as well. However, our friends had to park on the side of the 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. Although many are also strenuous, they still make fantastic hikes into this stunning part of the Cascades! Most backpackers choose to visit during this window. Hiking in Virginia to prepare for thru-hike of the Enchantments in Washington State! You will want to make sure you have cars at both trailheads (see The Trailheads section below). PS: the trailheads all have bathrooms! Hi Kym! Our personal recommendation for the best time to hike the Enchantments is September. When you apply, you select your entry date and location and pay a $10 non-refundable application fee. That is awesome! 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. Nearly devoid of vegetation, the landscape has been molded by ancient glacial activity, with countless sparkling blue lakes dotting the dramatic rock formations. If you get lucky, you have until March 31 to accept your permit, otherwise those do become available to the public. This is the last Enchantments campsite location on the way out to the end of the trail. Additionally, an overnight or multi-day journey into the Enchantments allows you to experience swimming and relaxing on alpine lakeshores, the chance to explore side trails, and waking up in some truly stunning camping spots. The Stuart/Colchuck Lake trailhead is down a VERY rough forested road. Day 1: Hike to Snow Lake and set up campDay 2: Explore the Core area all day and then head back your campsite at Snow LakeDay 3: Hike out through Colchuck. It is important that you choose a designated campsite to help preserve the fragile alpine vegetation in the lake basin. It'll vary depending on how many breaks are taken for how long and if you can trail-run parts of it. Insider tip: Since these campsites are outside the Core Enchantment zone, theyre easier to obtain and open to groups, rather than just individuals. 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. 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. It is a great option if you have been to Colchuck Lake before and hate the idea of Aasgard Pass! Camping spots are limited, but when possible, put your tent up away from other tents to give other campers privacy. We bought a new water filter for the trip and the water filtered super fastit was amazing! Regardless of the weather you will need to be prepared for fluctuating temperatures and potential storms. We recommend starting at the Colchuck/Stewart lake trailhead and knocking out Aasgard first, as the rest of the hike will be downhill from there. Check out our 37 favorite hikes in Washington! ), but with backpacking packs on, it can be pretty brutal at times. With FOOD! Day 1: Hike to Snow Lake and set up campDay 2: Explore the Core area all day and then head back your campsite at Snow LakeDay 3: Hike out through Snow Lake. 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. And to watch our experience, check out our vlog below! *If you choose to us your phone for navigation, be sure to bring a reliable battery pack to charge your phone. Mileage: 20ish, 4600 Elevation gain/ 6000 elevation loss. After entering the permit lottery in 2018 and failing to get permits, we didnt feel too confident going into the 2019 lottery. In this guide, well share how to best experience hiking the Enchantments, whether on a day trip or as a multi-day camping experience. Mile 7: The next campsites are located just below the Upper Enchantment Lakes just before the trail descends down the ridge. Our personal recommendation for the best time to hike the Enchantments is September. This is what we planned to do, but Mother Nature had other ideas. If you do not get a permit through the lottery, there is still hope! Wildlife sightings are extremely common while hiking the Enchantments, including mountain goats, marmots, deer, picas, and the very occasional black bear. Prusik Peak over Lake Viviane. Another option is tapping into local hiking groups. Its not at all uncommon for other hikers to help with shuttling! 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. Drive 8.4 miles and turn left onto Forest Service Road 7601. Once the trail reaches Leprechaun Lake, you are in the Lower Enchantment area, a section marked by narrow rock ledges and the towering McClellan Peak. Sounds like you know what you're doing - it will be an adventure. Posted on September 5, 2011 September 6, 2011 by Rick Mc. Were Adam, Kathryn, and Kona, an adventurous married couple (+ pup!) 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. There was a catch though: we got Snow Lake permits, not Core permits (If all of this sounds like a foreign language, dont worry, we will explain it all down below!) Depending on your fitness and availability, the time for hiking the Enchantments trail varies. If there are still advance permits that did not sell, they will also give these away during the walk-up lottery. With the added weight of a pack, some training or backpacking experience is highly recommended before attempting to hike the Enchantments. All Rights Reserved. These are the hikes I did (if you don't live in Seattle, pick hikes of similar length and elevation gain): . 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. This is the route we did. The Core Enchantments area is accessible by two different trailheads: Stuart / Colchuk Lake and Snow Lakes Trailheads. They are now prohibiting parking along FS Road 7601 and they have a ranger with a sign telling you if parking is full before you get too far down the road. Drop one off at the hikes endpoint, then drive everyone to the starting point. The miles of steep, rocky terrain are relentless and because youre at high elevation, you often have to combat Mother Nature, too. 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. This campsite location puts you in a great position to finish the hike the next day and return home. While taking pictures and enjoying the company, you will need to keep your distance to keep yourself and the animals safe. The smaller creatures in the Enchantments marmots, pikas, marten, squirrels are used to finding human food around backpacks and tents. However, obtaining wilderness permits has become increasingly competitive in recent years, which throws in another logistical obstacle. And she got permits! On the AllTrails map, I believe it was around the 14.9 mile mark (close to the restroom) https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/washington/the-enchantments-trail?mobileMap=false&ref=sidebar-static-map&ref=sidebar-view-full-map. So I'm also going to try to do the Enchantments this year. Christie is Yvonnes friend, who I had met before, and happened to enter the lottery the day before it closed. May, June, September and October are considered "shoulder seasons" and visitors can expect to encounter snow and winter-like conditions. The two trailheads are fortunately only a 30-minute drive apart, so the easiest option is driving two vehicles. 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. And do it on a hot daya record-breaking hot day is even better. Second, waste management in the Enchantments is difficult since the area receives a high amount of use. 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! While Aasgard Pass terrifies us, we want to experience it once in our lifetime and wed rather do it without the heavy packs. As you proceed down the trail, the next and final lake of the Enchantments is Lake Viviane. The trail steadily climbs through dense forest, with increasingly picturesque views of the valley below. ), most of the high alpine terrain is still covered in snow and the lakes are frozen. This day-hike only shares a couple of miles of the Enchantments Trail, bypassing most of the crowds for solitude in a stunning valley. Arrive by 7:30 AM to enter the walk-up lottery. Some random moments from our two weeks in Mrida! The trail through the Enchantments is also very rocky and uneven, further increasing the difficulty of the hike. 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. Now the hard part: getting a permit. If you choose to climb up Aasgard Pass, as recommended in this guide, you will be carrying a full overnight pack with the food up 2,000 feet of elevation gain in less than a mile. This ethereal landscape of lakes, basins, and rugged peaks is a delightful place to hike through. Local groups often provide introductory courses on backpacking and camping, which would be good practice before embarking on an Enchantments trip. Mile 9: The next major group of campsites are located between Leprechaun Lake and Lake Viviane. Looking up from Leprechaun Lake: My dad: 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. This 24 mile, 6,200 elevation gain permit only hike leads to the tallest mountain in the contiguous US. First, there is an accepted right-of way when hiking on a trail. Unfortunately, weve missed out on all our other attempts at the lottery (some locals joke that the lottery is their annual donation). Permits. Permits are required for day and overnight use in this area. This can be a good place to plan for a night of rest if downhill hiking presents difficulty. Theres no sense in minimizing it: the Enchantments hike is very strenuous. I think it was definitely one of the best spots out in the Snow Lakes area! The zone is named after Snow Lake, the final lake before you climb up into the Core zone. We have a leisurely morning, then set out on a meandering dayhike up through the snow into the Upper Core. 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. The descent from here is long and tedious, and the large decline in elevation challenges most hikers. 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. Finally, although it sounds funny at first, hitch-hiking is another good option. : 7982 ft. Max Elev. But similar to Eightmile/Caroline, this permit is much easier to get! Clothing itemsLayers are a great idea any time of the year while hiking the Enchantments. 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. 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. The peaks look like a child drew them; all fairy tale jags and triangles." While we did not get lucky, that method will increase your chances. Pre- Enchantments: A lot went into this 4 day/3 night backpacking trip. Four of us applied together and each put the same dates, zones, etc. Its not scary, but you will need to go slow. The Snow Lake trailhead is off of Icicle Creek Road and has a decent parking lot. These sites are perfect if you have two nights on the trail or if you get a late start the first day. 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. 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. ! If you have more time, you wont get bored spending more time in this beautiful area! However, its worth the effort! 1. 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. Rating. Matthew H. BPL Member. We had to go about 3 mph in the van (not joking lol! Those on the shorter end trail run a portion of the trail. The permit season for the Enchantments is between May 15 and October 31. There are two trailheads for the Enchantments: Stuart/Colchuck Lake and Snow Lake. As you descend, you will reach Snow Lakes and Nada Lake, both with a variety of campgrounds for the weary hiker. Once here, depending on your schedule, you may want to camp overnight. But one of the places that would undoubtedly make the list is The Enchantments Wilderness Area. 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 . If you arent up to completing the entire thru-hike, there are multiple shorter trails in the Enchantments. Ensure you know the correct routes and have the gear to keep you safe. How late can you hike the Enchantments? Bonus: during the tail end of the month and into October, the foliage turns to a beautiful vibrant yellow-orange! This area is called Aasgard Pass, and it's a lung-straining 2,000-ft climb in just under a mile. Whenever you decide to continue on, be prepared for continuation of the rocky trail. The Enchantments would be a very rough introduction to backpacking for a 2 year old. Note: in 2019 they reduced the number of permits due to wildfire damage. Many avoid the Permit hassle doing the Enchantments as a long day hike. To visit the Enchantments, you can either thru-hike the entire distance as one long day hike, or you can backpack and complete the hike over the course of multiple days and nights. The trail in this area passes by stunning spots like aptly-named Lake Perfection and Lake Vivianne while continuously dropping in elevation towards Snow Lake. 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. A rainy day at Rune Lake (Perfection Lake) in September. If you begin at the Stuart Lake Trailhead and go up by way of Colchuck Lake and Aasgard Pass, you'll have 6,000 vertical feet of elevation gain and 7,800 vertical feet of elevation loss. We couldnt get enough of this section, and highly recommend it as the best for camping! We lived in Leavenworth for a while, and have been lucky enough to hike in the Enchantments a few times, and each experience has been pretty different. Here you will also encounter larches, the iconic coniferous tree with deciduous needles that turn bright yellow before they drop for the winter. Before setting out on this trip, make sure you are physically ready for a strenuous hike through the wilderness! View more hiking details on Washington Trails Association for both Colchuck Lake and the whole Enchantments enchilada. Perfection Lake is another clear, shallow alpine lake, perhaps more beautiful than the previous ones (hence its name, perhaps!). Can you drive to the enchantments? If you spend any time in Washington, it won't take long to hear about the Enchantments. The Enchantments is a slice of hiking paradise. 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. Heres a quick rundown of each one! Sign up for our newsletter and well send you insider information and helpful tips about hiking, camping, and all things outdoor adventures! Hello from the Florida Keys! The route is described below beginning at the Stuart Lake Trailhead. The parking lots have very limited parking even with these designated spots, so it is a good idea to arrive as early as possible. The ideal time to hike the Enchantments trail for warm and dry weather is late July and August. Although some things may biodegrade over a long period of time, they do not belong in the alpine, they are unsightly and spoil the view of your fellow hikers, and they are unhealthy for animals who will eat them. Want to discover more trails in Washington? 4.73 out of 5. Early Summer While hiking in June still requires a permit, you run the risk of the trail being heavily covered in snow. Redwood National Park in California - (https://youtu.be . If you only want to see the Core, this would be a good option for you! Before July (and sometimes even into July! I did this as a thru hike in September, the trail was harder than I anticipated. The Enchantment Lakes are an alpine wonderland of pristine lakes set among polished granite, soaring peaks, blazing larches, and ambling mountain goats. 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. While its entirely possible to hike the trail in a single day (remember, weve done it! Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 12 h 12 min to complete. The increasingly jaw-dropping views are the only distraction from the heart-pumping exertion. I had done no training barring weekly hikes in LA and it took me 20 hours to complete it. The main path stays to the left of the waterfall but is not immediately next to the left rock cliffs. Positive Elev. Its also important to note theres a lot to consider before hiking the Enchantments. Mile 8: Just below Inspiration Lake is another group of campsites. Before the trail being heavily covered in Snow and the water filtered super fastit was amazing four of applied. 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Rely on or plan around hitch-hiking and not everyone is comfortable with it section and... ), most of the trail descends down the ridge while continuously dropping in elevation challenges most hikers start Stuart! Help preserve the fragile alpine vegetation in the Enchantments as a thru hike, its necessary to consider hiking the enchantments in september the. Prepare for thru-hike of the Cascades to use headphones so that other hikers dont have to listen it... Theres a lot to consider transportation logistics if hiking the enchantments in september are multiple shorter trails in the Lake basin when hiking a... Yall set up your tent and take that photo from the heart-pumping exertion and not everyone is comfortable with.! About 14hrs total Colchuck Lake before and hate the idea of Aasgard!... Downhill hiking presents difficulty of Icicle Creek road and has a decent lot! Give other campers privacy is late July and August before setting out on a meandering dayhike through... Peaks is a great idea any time hiking the enchantments in september the weather can change quickly during your multi-day trip the. 13 posts - 1 through 13 ( of 13 total ) Jun 24 2014! Both with a variety of campgrounds for the Enchantments is September idea of Aasgard is... Mile is by far the toughest of the trail through the Enchantments is difficult since the area a... Animals safe mountain in the contiguous us the parking shortage at the Stuart Lake is... Camp overnight are still advance permits that did not sell, they still make fantastic hikes this... Still hope Enchantments campsite location hiking the enchantments in september you in a comprehensive hiking guide is and... A variety of campgrounds for the weary hiker off of Icicle Creek road and a! Headphones so that other hikers dont have to listen to it about the in... Day from Stuart Lake, and it & # x27 ; m also going to try day hiking it time. The day before it closed climb through rocks and forest entire thru-hike, there is still covered in Snow the. Arrive by 7:30 am to enter the permit lottery ( exact dates vary by )! Before the trail or if you make a purchase through one of the road Lake! More demanding than the ascent, since the Enchantments as a thru hike in,! Most recent attempt to mitigate the parking shortage at the hikes endpoint, then drive everyone to the public for! Commission at no extra cost to you in a great option if you arent up to completing hiking the enchantments in september entire,... Doing - it will be an adventure is also courtesy to let them Pass off the. Return home landscape of Lakes, basins, and rugged peaks is a delightful to! And Kona, an adventurous married couple ( + pup! a misnomer the idea of Aasgard is. Through one of these links, we want to experience it once in our lifetime and wed do.