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. While taking pictures and enjoying the company, you will need to keep your distance to keep yourself and the animals safe. The Snow Lakes trailhead is 4 miles down this road on the right, a signed parking lot immediately off the road. Toilet paper must be disposed of properly! The trail through the Enchantments is 18 miles, one-way, with additional side trails to explore the surrounding 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. Mileage: 20ish, 4600 Elevation gain/ 6000 elevation loss. These are the hikes I did (if you don't live in Seattle, pick hikes of similar length and elevation gain): . Some links in this post may be affiliate links. Last year, I did the hike up to the summit of Mt. Although its rare for them to be aggressive, weve heard of instances where mother goats have attacked hikers trying to protect their kids. That is awesome! If you click through a link on Small Town Washington, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We got passed by a lot of people haha. Turn left onto Icicle Creek Road. The best time to go hiking in the Enchantments is mid-July through early October. The below table is the monthly average temperatures for Leavenworth. The smaller creatures in the Enchantments marmots, pikas, marten, squirrels are used to finding human food around backpacks and tents. Overview of the Enchantments Hike These statistics are for the thru-hike from Stuart/Colchuck Lake Trailhead to the Snow Lakes Trailhead. Posted on September 5, 2011 September 6, 2011 by Rick Mc. My dad. 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! With over 2,000 feet of elevation gain in less than a single mile in distance, the climb challenges both stamina and determination. 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! Dont be fooled that you are reaching the end here, even though you are leaving the lake basin! To overnight between May and October, however, a lottery permit is required. 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. They headed up to Lake Stewart and up to Asgard Pass. Adventure joined a group of our friends on a trip up to the Enchantments in Washington. Can you drive to the enchantments? Adam, Kathryn, & Kona ), understanding campfire rules and always fully extinguishing your fires, respecting wildlife, and being considerate of other visitors. We hope to inform, inspire, and empower you to get outside, see this incredible world, and find your WILD! Plan your hike for mid-July to mid-September, and check both trip reports and weather forecasts before getting started. Sign up to get travel updates, guides, vlogs, and other resources delivered straight to your inbox once a month! Required fields are marked *. This is a helpful article as I plan my permit asks and hopeful my hike. 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. See some of our recommended stops below! 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? Something we wish we had brought were waterproof pants. hiking the Enchantments, WA. In this video, we provide a complete day hiking guide so you can complete the. Wander around the Core a bitDay 3: Spend all day exploring the Core. Our friends all brought Mountain House meals and loved theirs too! Don't shower for 3 weeks leading up your hike as a human repellent. After entering the permit lottery in 2018 and failing to get permits, we didnt feel too confident going into the 2019 lottery. The only way to visit the Enchantments is by hiking and it is no easy task. The trail down to Inspiration Lake is steep the first taste of the downhill you will encounter on the remaining trail. But the best partshe got six permits, which meant that Yvonne, Jeffrey, Adam, and myself could all go with her and her boyfriend Jackson! In early September, Mrs. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. We had to use our hands for balance as we slooowly clambered up what seemed like a near-vertical route. Permits and permit information is available on the Recreation.gov Portal. Hiking in Virginia to prepare for thru-hike of the Enchantments in Washington State! Once you ascend the Enchantments Core, youll be able to enjoy the spectacular scenery without constant exertion. To day hike in the Enchantments, only a NW Forest Pass is needed. 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. Very brutal.. Thanks for the ideas! 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. Each campsite listed has a wilderness toilet for your use and to preserve the natural beauty of the area. 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. I had done no training barring weekly hikes in LA and it took me 20 hours to complete it. Cathole TrowelNature may call during your trip and when it does, youll need a cathole trowel! 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. As you approach Leavenworth from the west on Highway 2, you will turn onto Icicle Creek Road on the edge of town. 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. ), 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. If you have two nights, spend some extra time exploring the side trails and lakes in this area. Were Adam, Kathryn, and Kona, an adventurous married couple (+ pup!) 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. While youll have no cell phone service, being able to charge your phone to take photos, look at a map, etc is crucial. : 7835 ft. Min. Early Summer While hiking in June still requires a permit, you run the risk of the trail being heavily covered in snow. If you spend any time in Washington, it won't take long to hear about the Enchantments. As you proceed down the trail, the next and final lake of the Enchantments is Lake Viviane. The Enchantments are one of the most enchanting (sorry, we had to!) water is almost as impressive as the backdrop: the jagged and dramatic Dragontail peak. Those on the shorter end trail run a portion of the trail. Talisman Lake : 1312 ft. the enchantments hiking washington day hike Theres no sense in minimizing it: the Enchantments hike is very strenuous. Pin this blog post to prep for your trip! If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. 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! In October, unpredictable snowstorms start to roll into the higher elevations, making the trail dangerous. You may also be able to snag a spot later in the evening when day hikers are leaving. The permits for the Enchantments area are divided into zones. 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 If there are still advance permits that did not sell, they will also give these away during the walk-up lottery. The miles of steep, rocky terrain are relentless and because youre at high elevation, you often have to combat Mother Nature, too. The Snow Lake trailhead is off of Icicle Creek Road and has a decent parking lot. Pre- Enchantments: A lot went into this 4 day/3 night backpacking trip. When hiking in the Enchantments, it is necessary to use the wilderness toilets established in the area, as the area is high use and finding used toilet paper on the side of the trail is unpleasant. I think it was definitely one of the best spots out in the Snow Lakes area! 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! This way, youll knock out most of the elevation gain in the first quarter of the hike. "I can see why it's called the Enchantments. Here is a rundown of the mileage for different portions of the hike, directly from the Forest Service. The Stuart/Colchuck Lake trailhead is down a VERY rough forested road. A hike through the Enchantments is a very strenuous hike. No clue if this is beneficial but it does feel like it's getting easier. 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 Enchantments are not named as such for naught - they have some of the most spectacular alpine scenery in the country. : 7982 ft. Max Elev. Our first time, we were lucky enough to score camping permits and spend a few amazing days in this slice of paradise. 1. Starting at Stuart / Colchuck Lake trailhead means you climb 4,549 ft and descend 6,688 ft. If you get lucky, you have until March 31 to accept your permit, otherwise those do become available to the public. Viewing 13 posts - 1 through 13 (of 13 total) Jun 24, 2014 at 7:44 am #1318302. February 1, 2022. 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. Mile 13.5: If you prefer to travel a litter further on your final day, a few campsites are located near Nada Lake. The zone is named after Snow Lake, the final lake before you climb up into the Core zone. 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 lakes and rocks will be melted off, allowing you to fully see them. 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. day hikes near Leavenworth. Join. When: Do it between late July and early September. Once applications are drawn, there is a few-week period where successful applicants must accept their permit. . So on September 14, with fully loaded packs, we headed into the Enchantments! 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. 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. 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. Here you will also encounter larches, the iconic coniferous tree with deciduous needles that turn bright yellow before they drop for the winter. If youre hiking the Enchantments by yourself or dont have two vehicles, there are other options. If you use the links provided and make a purchase, we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Unfortunately, weve missed out on all our other attempts at the lottery (some locals joke that the lottery is their annual donation). will reward you with views of a lifetime. Was the road to Stuart Lake Trailhead scary or just extremely bumpy? The Alpine Lakes Wilderness named "The Enchantments" draws explorers from all over the world. The first frost usually comes in mid-October. See some of our recommended stops below! How late can you hike the Enchantments? Leave a car here for your return and continue down Icicle Creek Road towards the Stuart Lake Trailhead. The trail continues to be rocky and steep and several sections require scrambling using both hands and feet. Mile 6: Once you pass Colchuck Lake, you will have to ascend Aasgard Pass before finding the next campsites near Isolation and Tranquil Lakes. Ive done this as a thru hike, ending at snow lake TH, taking about 14hrs total. However, our friends had to park on the side of the road. Always maintain a very safe distance from wildlife, and take care of your business well away from the trail and campsites! You cant go wrong with overnighting at any of the five lakes; theyre all stunning! Wildlife in the area is accustomed to visitors, making it easy to get good pictures of any you spot during your trip. Hiker from Olympia The trail The Enchantments trail consists of the Stuart Lake Trail, Colchuck Lake Trail and Snow Lakes Trail. Some links throughout this site are affiliate links. A hike through the Enchantments is a very strenuous hike. 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 hike is a mixture of a regular dirt trail and rock scrambling. The lakes clear, blue (and freeeezing cold!) The hope for most is that dry sunny weather will coincide with whatever dates the luck of the draw has bestowed on them. The Core Enchantments area is accessible by two different trailheads: Stuart / Colchuk Lake and Snow Lakes Trailheads. September 30, 2022. 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. Since the Enchantments hike is a point to point trail, its necessary to consider transportation logistics. 10 weeks to prepare. End: Snow Lakes Trailhead. Some particularly adventurous skiers and snowshoers attempt the trail during the winter, but thats only advised for very experienced winter sports enthusiasts. To be on the safe side, plan your hike for mid-July to late-September. 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. With your permit you will receive special parking permits for each of the trailhead, allowing you to park in designated spots for permitees. 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. To reach the Snow Lakes trailhead to drop a car for your return trip, you will need to head into Leavenworth. No matter what route you take, how many days you have, or if you get a sunny day or a cloudy day, the Enchantments truly are a magical place and 100% worth the permit headaches to visit in whatever capacity you can. Its a good idea to pack bear spray just to be safe. To help plan your trip, here are the approximate locations of some of the most common campsites along the trail. Eightmile/Caroline: There are two lakes you can access with this permit: Eightmile and Caroline. a little bit of snow on the trail even in early September Bear hangs are not recommended, as there are not good trees to implement a proper bear hang to keep food away from wildlife. The most popular day hike in the Enchantments leads to a breathtaking blue glacial lake right underneath Aasgard Pass. The trail through the Enchantments is also very rocky and uneven, further increasing the difficulty of the hike. Day and overnight visitors need to check the weather and be prepared for all weather types throughout the season. Definitely one of the Stuart Lake trailhead called the Enchantments updates,,. Cost to you delivered straight to your inbox once a month special parking permits for the Enchantments is very... Accept their permit down a very safe distance from wildlife, and website in this area something wish! 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Each campsite listed has a decent parking lot immediately off the road to Stuart Lake trailhead to drop a here!
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