This is the last Enchantments campsite location on the way out to the end of the trail. 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! day hikes near Leavenworth. Understandably, the trail gets busy and snagging an overnight permit is extremely tough. 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. Your email address will not be published. Although this is difficult, many people prefer this option to hiking the other direction, which involves a much longer strenuous uphill section of trail. Enjoy this walking video tour of the Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail in Redwood National Park in California. To overnight between May and October, however, a lottery permit is required. Obviously, for this, you will need two drivers in your party and two cars! Interestingly (and weirdly), many wild animals are attracted to the salts in urine and actually seek it out. If you are not comfortable rock scrambling, this hike may not be the best fit for you. 1. This is a great campsite if you are planning a short first day of hiking. 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 permit season for the Enchantments is between May 15 and October 31. Permits are required for day and overnight use in this area. Although it may look too formidable to even attempt, the beautiful craggy peak behind Colchuck Lake is where the Enchantments hike continues. 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. 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. 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. Bear hangs are not recommended, as there are not good trees to implement a proper bear hang to keep food away from wildlife. Hiking the Enchantments means your jaw will drop at every turn. Drop one off at the hikes endpoint, then drive everyone to the starting point. Dont be fooled that you are reaching the end here, even though you are leaving the lake basin! The elevation gain and loss are large, meaning that you will be working hard at most points during your hike. As an Airbnb Associate, we may earn a commission when you book through our links, at no extra cost to you. The Yucatn Peninsula is the heart of the ancient, The cenotes tour we booked through @airbnbexperien. The Enchantments don't come easy. 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. While Aasgard Pass terrifies us, we want to experience it once in our lifetime and wed rather do it without the heavy packs. In early September, Mrs. Perfection Lake is another clear, shallow alpine lake, perhaps more beautiful than the previous ones (hence its name, perhaps!). 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. Don't shower for 3 weeks leading up your hike as a human repellent. The. Its a good idea to pack bear spray just to be safe. However, our friends had to park on the side of the road. I did this as a thru hike in September, the trail was harder than I anticipated. 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. Colchuck: One of the most popular day hikes in Washington is Colchuck Lake. Depending on your fitness and availability, the time for hiking the Enchantments trail varies. The zone is named after Snow Lake, the final lake before you climb up into the Core zone. If you spend any time in Washington, it won't take long to hear about the Enchantments. The only way to visit the Enchantments is by hiking and it is no easy task. They only give out one permit per zone per day, with up to 8 people per permit. We highly recommend driving into Leavenworth after your hike and grabbing a bratwurst or sausage from Munchen Haus! Day 4: Hike out through Colchuck. It is mostly just super bumpy, rocky, and steep. Through-hiking the Enchantments in one day will challenge and reward you, but it's not for everyone. Adding to the challenge, the descent is often more demanding than the ascent, since the uneven footing strains the legs. 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. 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. hiking the Enchantments, WA. I'm a decent hiker but some of the bouldering is more . Bring rain entertainmentOne of the best things we did was download Netflix and books in case it rained. With FOOD! Your email address will not be published. A lot of people were doing this and it is allowed. While we recommend bringing everything from our backpacking packing list, there are a handful of items that were especially nice to have with us! If you have more time, you wont get bored spending more time in this beautiful area! ), 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. The trail continues to be rocky and steep and several sections require scrambling using both hands and feet. However, since these are averages it is best to be prepared for a wide range of temperatures during your trip. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hello there! 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. Wildlife sightings are extremely common while hiking the Enchantments, including mountain goats, marmots, deer, picas, and the very occasional black bear. Here you will also encounter larches, the iconic coniferous tree with deciduous needles that turn bright yellow before they drop for the winter. There is little if any cell service available on this trail, and emergency help is far away. 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. Check out our 37 favorite hikes in Washington! The Enchantments are an absolutely amazing alpine wonderland located in central Washington state. There are two trailheads for the Enchantments: Stuart/Colchuck Lake and Snow Lake. Dont worry, not all hope is lost. : 7982 ft. Max Elev. Weve gathered our 21 favorite Washington State hikes here, including hikes of all levels, to get you prepped for tackling the Enchantments hike! Please see our. At the end of your trip, you will use the car at the Snow Lakes trailhead to return to the car you left at the Stuart Lakes trailhead. When the landscape is snow-covered, the lakes may be frozen and not distinguishable from the rest of the landscape. To enter the permit lottery, you will first need to apply during the annual permit lottery (exact dates vary by year). Website built with love byDreamworthy Design. Each campsite listed has a wilderness toilet for your use and to preserve the natural beauty of the area. 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. The environment here has turned from granite rocks to alpine marsh and meadow, full of grass and heather. Adventure joined a group of our friends on a trip up to the Enchantments in Washington. Although bears are not commonly sighted, they are present in the area and may also try to get into food. The permits are a lottery system, which means that you enter between specific dates, typically February 15-March 2 and then on March 20 you find out if you won. Ensure you know the correct routes and have the gear to keep you safe. The next mile is by far the toughest of the entire trail. As an Amazon Associate, Small Town Washington earns from qualifying purchases. Dates: September 2nd- 5th 2016 Location: Leavenworth, Washington. Mile 11: The shores of the Snow Lakes are the last large group of campsites. Mileage: 20ish, 4600 Elevation gain/ 6000 elevation loss. 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. Before setting out on this trip, make sure you are physically ready for a strenuous hike through the wilderness! 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. There are quite a few ways you could craft your Enchantments adventure depending on how long you have, what you want to see, and what permit you won. Although many are also strenuous, they still make fantastic hikes into this stunning part of the Cascades! Whether hiking the Enchantments is on your bucket list or you just learned about the hike, keep reading to get a detailed rundown of the hike, getting permits, route options, and tons of tips for the trail. 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. The odds are even lower if youre applying for a permit in July or August. 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. These days experience the least precipitation and are most likely to have clear skies and warm days. That is awesome! This can be a good place to plan for a night of rest if downhill hiking presents difficulty. Our first time, we were lucky enough to score camping permits and spend a few amazing days in this slice of paradise. 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. 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! and permits are also a little easier to come by. We had to go about 3 mph in the van (not joking lol! The Enchantments are not named as such for naught - they have some of the most spectacular alpine scenery in the country. - Stock Photos provided by our partner Depositphotos, Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, Hi yall! Were Adam, Kathryn, and Kona, an adventurous married couple (+ pup!) Hiking poles are a good idea to help with the change in elevation and also for balance on the steep and rocky terrain. Redwood National Park California. Take a left at this intersection, then follow the dirt road for 4 miles until reaching the Stuart Lake trailhead. The setting is absolutely beautiful, but camping here leaves the bulk of the hike, including Aasgard Pass, for the next day. This was our base camp from where we would climb the steep Crystal Creek valley and . The main path stays to the left of the waterfall but is not immediately next to the left rock cliffs. Finally, although it sounds funny at first, hitch-hiking is another good option. Two shuttle companies, Loop Connector and Leavenworth Shuttles, will drive you from the Snow Lakes Trailhead, where you can drop off your car, to the beginning of the trail at Stuart/Colchuck Lake. 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. There are usually more people present than permits, so they have to draw names, which occurs at 7:45 AM. ), only experienced and fit hikers who are very confident in their abilities should attempt it. It is a great option if you have been to Colchuck Lake before and hate the idea of Aasgard Pass! Most people prefer to backpack in the Enchantments during the summer months, to enjoy the clear blue lakes and granite rocks. 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. 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. We were so thankful we brought layers as we froze during the hike. And she got permits! Hi Kym! 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. The division of On a four day backpacking trip you can take day trips from camp to explore over a dozen crystal clear lakes, summit surrounding peaks, and camp at an alpine lake of your choice! Just have a few questions. In fact, this stunning mountain landscape has been termed the "Crown Jewel of Washington Hiking" by the Washington Trails Association, the leading expert on hiking in Washington.And after doing the full thru-hike of the Enchantments ourselves, we couldn't agree more: it is absolutely incredible. The summer temperatures drop (it occasionally reaches a scorching 100 degrees in July and August!) While its entirely possible to hike the trail in a single day (remember, weve done it! The smaller creatures in the Enchantments marmots, pikas, marten, squirrels are used to finding human food around backpacks and tents. So on September 14, with fully loaded packs, we headed into the Enchantments! ), most of the high alpine terrain is still covered in snow and the lakes are frozen. September 30, 2022. This is where we parked our van because we thought we would exit the trail this way. Not sure where to start? The parking lots have very limited parking even with these designated spots, so it is a good idea to arrive as early as possible. But one of the places that would undoubtedly make the list is The Enchantments Wilderness Area. As you descend, you will reach Snow Lakes and Nada Lake, both with a variety of campgrounds for the weary hiker. Winning is completely up to luck, which is the hard part of the lottery system. Camping here is best on two-night backpacking trips. 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 As you proceed down the trail, the next and final lake of the Enchantments is Lake Viviane. The Snow Lake trailhead is near a large parking lot next to the creek. One awesome thing about this permit is that you can camp in any of the zones, which gives you a lot of flexibility in your trip! Located in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness of Washington state, this is a wonderland of alpine lakes, jagged mountains, and waterfalls. So I'm also going to try to do the Enchantments this year. . This campsite location puts you in a great position to finish the hike the next day and return home. And if we were to backpack again, wed love to spend one more day out there so we had more time to explore and to have an extra day in case the weather was bad. 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. Hiker from Olympia The trail The Enchantments trail consists of the Stuart Lake Trail, Colchuck Lake Trail and Snow Lakes Trail. With a daypack, the scrambling isnt too bad (I hate rock scrambling and didnt cry! Here, just east of Leavenworth in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness and reachable only on foot, are the Enchantments. This is a very popular area for backpacking, camping, and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. The trailheads for both are located off Icicle Creek Road. Most see this coveted area by day hiking to some of the closer lakes (Colchuck Lake is popular), but to really experience the core of the Enchantments, an elusive overnight permit is required. The Enchantments is a slice of hiking paradise. Where did yall set up your tent and take that photo from the inside looking out??? The Enchantments are one of the most enchanting (sorry, we had to!) This is the most recent attempt to mitigate the parking shortage at the trailheads. The next set of campsites is along the lakeshores of the five lakes situated in what is known as the Enchantments Core: Isolation Lake, Inspiration Lake, Perfection Lake, Leprechaun Lake and Lake Vivianne. The most challenging section of the trail is between Colchuck Lake and the Core Enchantment Zone. Elev. This informative video shows you how! Drive 4 miles past the Snow Lakes parking lot until you reach FS Road 7601. We will only ever recommend products we truly love, actually use during our adventures, and think you can benefit from too! 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. Even when youre not tackling the pass, its necessary to pay attention to your footing and maintain consistent stamina through the strenuous ups and downs. Turn left onto Icicle Creek Road. The two trailheads are fortunately only a 30-minute drive apart, so the easiest option is driving two vehicles. Not in June. And it's tough getting there. And to watch our experience, check out our vlog below! Toughest thing I have done. Regardless of the time of year of your hike, this is a mountainous alpine hike, and it is important to pack a range of layers for clothing, including enough warm layers in case the weather turns bad. To day hike in the Enchantments, only a NW Forest Pass is needed. 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. While most of the trail isn't very technically challenging, it's brutal in that it's very long and steep. Will travel for tacos, BBQ, & ice cream by Craig Romano . Hiking through the Enchantments core is beautiful and memorable. 10 weeks to prepare. Before July (and sometimes even into July! 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. Didnt get a permit? Where is the Enchantments hike? Day Hike: As we mentioned above, if you do not get a permit to backpack, you can dayhike it! During warm dry summer days in July and August, you will also need to be prepared for hot afternoons.