On a journey to Alaska in @brisketthevan A lot of people were doing this and it is allowed. And she got permits! Some particularly adventurous skiers and snowshoers attempt the trail during the winter, but thats only advised for very experienced winter sports enthusiasts. The way I prepared for the Enchantments was to hike twice a week for about two months. The next mile is by far the toughest of the entire trail. 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. In the Lee of Winter Storms: The Enchantment Basin. As an Amazon Associate, Small Town Washington earns from qualifying purchases. Mileage: 20ish, 4600 Elevation gain/ 6000 elevation loss. Stuart: The Stuart zone is named after Lake Stuart, which is a 9 mile round trip hike. Bear CanisterWhile we did not see any bears during our trip, we always pack a bear canister when in the wilderness to safely store our food. This makes travel more difficult and the views an endless sea of white (which is beautiful, just more difficult to hike). Drive 4 miles past the Snow Lakes parking lot until you reach FS Road 7601. Sign up to get travel updates, guides, vlogs, and other resources delivered straight to your inbox once a month! In late spring to early summer, the Enchantments core basin is still snow-covered. Arrive by 7:30 AM to enter the walk-up lottery. The ideal time to hike the Enchantments trail for warm and dry weather is late July and August. You will want to make sure you have cars at both trailheads (see The Trailheads section below). The best times to hike in the Enchantments are lake summer and early fall. The Enchantments live up to the hype and dazzle hikers willing to overcome the elevation gain needed to visit this high alpine paradise. Those on the shorter end trail run a portion of the trail. Day 4: Hike out through Colchuck. With a large b, Our FAVORITE things we did in Mrida, Mexico! We managed to score a 5 day permit in the snow zone for Aug 30-Sept 3. It is a great option if you have been to Colchuck Lake before and hate the idea of Aasgard Pass! 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. Second, waste management in the Enchantments is difficult since the area receives a high amount of use. Were Adam, Kathryn, and Kona, an adventurous married couple (+ pup!) 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. After you finish your hike, its time to celebrate! Welcome to Go Wander Wild. Black bear sightings are very uncommon here, but do occasionally happen. The summer temperatures drop (it occasionally reaches a scorching 100 degrees in July and August!) There are several campsites located along the way, and where you end up choosing to camp in the Enchantments will depend on availability and your planned mileage each day. 10 weeks to prepare. This informative video shows you how! Please see our. When you apply, you select your entry date and location and pay a $10 non-refundable application fee. If you have two nights, spend some extra time exploring the side trails and lakes in this area. However, camping and hiking in the Enchantments is well worth all the effort! The main path stays to the left of the waterfall but is not immediately next to the left rock cliffs. Here's her trip in photos. The Enchantments is a region in Washington, just 15 miles southwest of Leavenworth, a super cute Bavarian village town. Since youll be at a higher elevation, the nights may get cool. This means that you will start at one trailhead and end your hike at another, without retracing your steps. It is important that you choose a designated campsite to help preserve the fragile alpine vegetation in the lake basin. Pin this blog post to prep for your trip! Elev. Permits: One of Washingtons best hikes, the Enchantments absolutely lives up to the hype (and its name!). With your permit you will receive special parking permits for each of the trailhead, allowing you to park in designated spots for permitees. Where is the Enchantments hike? Talisman Lake 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. Mile 7: The next campsites are located just below the Upper Enchantment Lakes just before the trail descends down the ridge. The only way to visit the Enchantments is by hiking and it is no easy task. Continue reading. We have a leisurely morning, then set out on a meandering dayhike up through the snow into the Upper Core. Explore the most popular trails in my list Enchantments Hiking with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. Another option is tapping into local hiking groups. Bonus: during the tail end of the month and into October, the foliage turns to a beautiful vibrant yellow-orange! Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 12 h 12 min to complete. If you begin at the lower Snow Creek Trailhead, reverse the numbers. However, obtaining wilderness permits has become increasingly competitive in recent years, which throws in another logistical obstacle. Starting your hike at the Stuart Lake trailhead as I recommend, you will need to find a ride back to this trailhead from the Snow Lakes trailhead. We were so thankful we brought layers as we froze during the hike. 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. Spread out over a few days, its incredibly rewarding, with once-in-a-lifetime views and experience to match your efforts. 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. If you are cooking in the alpine, research proper techniques for cleaning pots and pans. 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 best strategy is to keep your distance as much as possible. 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.To be on the safe side, plan your hike for mid-July to late-September. CRAZY! You can also find information on AllTrails (Colchuck Lake, the Enchantments). 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. We had to go about 3 mph in the van (not joking lol! Some random moments from our two weeks in Mrida! 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. The best chances of obtaining a permit are to pick dates earlier or later in the season and avoid major holidays. However, weve seen young children complete it, so it could make a great family excursion! The Enchantments don't come easy. 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. 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. View more hiking details on Washington Trails Association for both Colchuck Lake and the whole Enchantments enchilada. ), only experienced and fit hikers who are very confident in their abilities should attempt it. Adam, Kathryn, & Kona Hi yall! Soon, the forest reappears and its a foot-battering descent down to the Snow Lake trailhead. The weather can change quickly during your multi-day trip from the original forecast. 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. Not sure where to start? Having said that, dont let the challenge dissuade you! The trailheads for both are located off Icicle Creek Road. Stuart Lake is at the end of this valley, but youre actually going to detour and gain a bit more elevation in order to reach stunning Colchuck Lake. ), 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. water is almost as impressive as the backdrop: the jagged and dramatic Dragontail peak. Mar 18, 2012 at 6:00 pm #1855705. At this time, applicants must choose an exit date and provide payment for the permits. It'll vary depending on how many breaks are taken for how long and if you can trail-run parts of it. Not in June. Looking up from Leprechaun Lake. places in Washington and in this guide we're 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 kn. 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. 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. PS: the trailheads all have bathrooms! This area is called Aasgard Pass, and it's a lung-straining 2,000-ft climb in just under a mile. https://linktr.ee/kraig00:00 Hiking Aasgard Pass in the Enchantments4:29 Leavenworth Bavarian Village5:46 Hiking Guide and Behind the Scenes I'm a decent hiker but some of the bouldering is more . In the winter, the Enchantments is buried in deep snowpack and is inaccessible to anyone without serious mountaineering experience. "I can see why it's called the Enchantments. The zone is named after Snow Lake, the final lake before you climb up into the Core zone. The summer temperatures drop (it occasionally reaches a scorching 100 degrees in July and August!) You can apply for permits during the second half of February through Recreation.gov, and winners are drawn, lottery-style, in early March. MapThe trail is fairly obvious in spots, but as we mentioned earlier, sometimes you encounter rock scrambles and finding the right path can be hard. To preserve the experience of other hikers and the wilderness character of the trail, it is important to follow common hiking etiquettes. The best time to go hiking in the Enchantments is mid-July through early October. When you are being approached by faster hikers from behind, it is also courtesy to let them pass. The level of difficulty and sheer distance of the trail mean the best way to experience this area is via a multi-day hike. When to Hike The Enchantments. They also make some amazing meat and veggie bars. September 8, 2016. Permits are required for day and overnight use in this area. Plan your hike for mid-July to mid-September, and check both trip reports and weather forecasts before getting started. 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. It is mostly just super bumpy, rocky, and steep. Want to discover more trails in Washington? They headed up to Lake Stewart and up to Asgard 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. We got there late afternoon on a Saturday and snagged that spot, which fit 6 of us with plenty of other space and was an easy walk down to the lake to get water. If you spend any time in Washington, it won't take long to hear about the Enchantments. ), but we made it down the road in one piece. 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 Even if you do, you cannot take a 2 year old up Asgard Pass. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. 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 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. The setting is picture-perfect; however, hiking here in just one day from Stuart Lake is challenging. 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. On average, 10 active hours for typical hiking speed of 1000 ft/hr. Always maintain a very safe distance from wildlife, and take care of your business well away from the trail and campsites! 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. McClellan Peak, Little Annapurna, Dragontail Peak, and Pusik Pass are all accessible from the Core. 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. We day hiked to Eightmile Lake a couple years ago and it was beautiful, although not as scenic as some of the other Enchantment lakes (like Colchuck). 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. Although this is difficult, many people prefer this option to hiking the other direction, which involves a much longer strenuous uphill section of trail. Hiking the Enchantments is one of the most memorable PNW experiences. 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. If you have more time, you wont get bored spending more time in this beautiful area! The Enchantments are one of the most enchanting (sorry, we had to!) When the landscape is snow-covered, the lakes may be frozen and not distinguishable from the rest of the landscape. Insider tip: Since these campsites are outside the Core Enchantment zone, theyre easier to obtain and open to groups, rather than just individuals. How late can you hike the Enchantments? 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. As you proceed down the trail, the next and final lake of the Enchantments is Lake Viviane. At risk of sounding entirely cliche, this place is absolutely enchanting. Enter: Christie, our Enchantments savior. Check out our the enchantments hiking selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. Looking up from Leprechaun Lake: My dad: To day hike in the Enchantments, only a NW Forest Pass is needed. 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. 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. Required fields are marked *. 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 . living on the road in ourself-converted sprinter van! Another good spot to check out is Yodelin. These permits can be difficult to secure, as most of them are drawn on a lottery. As you approach Leavenworth from the west on Highway 2, you will turn onto Icicle Creek Road on the edge of town. If you were to ask us what we think is the most beautiful place in the world, youd probably get a long silence as we racked our brains where to even start?! Talk about timing! Your email address will not be published. : 5814 ft. If youre hiking the Enchantments by yourself or dont have two vehicles, there are other options. 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. 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. Will travel for tacos, BBQ, & ice cream And any other tips on some good campsites? First, there is an accepted right-of way when hiking on a trail. Ive done this as a thru hike, ending at snow lake TH, taking about 14hrs total. The Enchantment Lakes are an alpine wonderland of pristine lakes set among polished granite, soaring peaks, blazing larches, and ambling mountain goats. Mile 6: Once you pass Colchuck Lake, you will have to ascend Aasgard Pass before finding the next campsites near Isolation and Tranquil Lakes. 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! 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. Very brutal.. We recommend this RAVPower Charger, which has two charging ports! : 7982 ft. Max Elev. I did this as a thru hike in September, the trail was harder than I anticipated. Depending on snow conditions, you may also want to bring gaiters to protect your boots from getting filled with snow. *If you choose to us your phone for navigation, be sure to bring a reliable battery pack to charge your phone. . Viewing 13 posts - 1 through 13 (of 13 total) Jun 24, 2014 at 7:44 am #1318302. Just beyond Aasgard Pass, the area known as the Core Enchantments Zone offers otherworldly views completely different from the forest below. Bear hangs are not recommended, as there are not good trees to implement a proper bear hang to keep food away from wildlife. Before July (and sometimes even into July! And do it on a hot daya record-breaking hot day is even better. Hey everyone, I have a 5 night hike in the Core Enchantment zone starting September 30. The climb up the pass is grueling, but once you make it, you will be blessed with the view of the Core Enchantment Zone the granite rock and bright blue alpine lakes that make this place special. Water filterWhile we have a pretty large Camelbak bladder to store water, it wasnt enough water for a three day hike. Here you will also encounter larches, the iconic coniferous tree with deciduous needles that turn bright yellow before they drop for the winter. 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. 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! They are pit toilets, but its good for a last minute bathroom break before hitting the trail! The road to Colchuck lake does close in the winter, but it typically is open for a bit after October 31, giving you a little bit of a window to do the hike depending on the weather. Here is a sample packing list for your trip, More Hiking: 21 Bucket List Hikes in Washington State, More North Cascades: 15 Best Hikes in North Cascades National Park, Waterfall Hikes: 11 Best Waterfalls in Washington State + Hikes to Find Them, Hiking Near Seattle: 11 Best Day Hikes Near Seattle. If you only want to see the Core, this would be a good option for you! This campsite location puts you in a great position to finish the hike the next day and return home. With a daypack, the scrambling isnt too bad (I hate rock scrambling and didnt cry! 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. : 1312 ft. the enchantments hiking washington day hike 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. If you get lucky, you have until March 31 to accept your permit, otherwise those do become available to the public. Permits. Mile 13.5: If you prefer to travel a litter further on your final day, a few campsites are located near Nada Lake. Some route-finding is also necessary, as the hike becomes more of a boulder scramble with hands and feet required for balance. 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. Bonus: during the tail end of the month and into October, the foliage turns to a beautiful vibrant yellow-orange! living on the road in our. Hello from the Florida Keys! A hike through the Enchantments is a very strenuous hike. I read a review that said it was really steep. Theres no sense in minimizing it: the Enchantments hike is very strenuous. To help plan your trip, here are the approximate locations of some of the most common campsites along the trail. The median time is 10 to 12 hours. It should either be thoroughly buried in a cat hole or placed in plastic bags and packed out. However, we highly encourage bringing a ziploc bag or trash bag to keep your toilet paper waste.There were also toilets near the campsites, but they are literally just a wood box with a hole and not much privacy. After entering the permit lottery in 2018 and failing to get permits, we didnt feel too confident going into the 2019 lottery. 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. Top 10 Hiking 100 Classic Hikes: Washington, 3rd Ed. Unfortunately, weve missed out on all our other attempts at the lottery (some locals joke that the lottery is their annual donation). 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. As the trail winds through the lakes surrounded by lichen-covered rocks beneath the rugged mountain peaks, you will find more campsites. A rainy day at Rune Lake (Perfection Lake) in September. Heres a quick rundown of each one! 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! The smaller creatures in the Enchantments marmots, pikas, marten, squirrels are used to finding human food around backpacks and tents. 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. 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