Were talking beautiful wilderness full of clear alpine lakes, granite rocks, and vistas of sharp peaks. and permits are also a little easier to come by. 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. If youre hiking the Enchantments by yourself or dont have two vehicles, there are other options. The hike is a mixture of a regular dirt trail and rock scrambling. Most backpackers choose to visit during this window. The trail continues to be rocky and steep and several sections require scrambling using both hands and feet. These sites are perfect if you have two nights on the trail or if you get a late start the first day. Hiking the Enchantments is one of the most memorable PNW experiences. Theyre especially perfect for people spending just one night on the trail, since youll conquer most of the elevation on the first day and have nothing but downhill miles the second. Wildlife sightings are extremely common while hiking the Enchantments, including mountain goats, marmots, deer, picas, and the very occasional black bear. 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. But one of the places that would undoubtedly make the list is The Enchantments Wilderness Area. In this video, we provide a complete day hiking guide so you can complete the. This trail winds through a beautiful wilderness area that many other hikes enjoy. Note: We did not visit all of these spots due to timing, but we wanted to! 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. The weather in the mountains can change quickly, so always bring a rainjacket just in case! 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. There is little if any cell service available on this trail, and emergency help is far away. This ethereal landscape of lakes, basins, and rugged peaks is a delightful place to hike through. The infamous Aasgard Pass is the toughest part of the trail, with a heart-pumping, lung-straining 2,000-foot climb in just of a mile. Are you planning on carrying them the entire way? 15 Best Hikes in North Cascades National Park, 11 Best Waterfalls in Washington State + Hikes to Find Them, How to Get From Seattle to Bainbridge Island (By Ferry or Road Trip! The trail is steep and rocky, resembling your climb up Aasgard Pass. At risk of sounding entirely cliche, this place is absolutely enchanting. Core Enchantments:From Colchuck Lake to the top of Aasgard Pass:2.5 miles (one way)2,500 ft elevation gain, From the inlet of Upper Snow Lake to Lake Viviane:1.5 miles (one way)1,400 ft elevation gain. We had to use our hands for balance as we slooowly clambered up what seemed like a near-vertical route. The below table is the monthly average temperatures for Leavenworth. Our first time, we were lucky enough to score camping permits and spend a few amazing days in this slice of paradise. With a daypack, the scrambling isnt too bad (I hate rock scrambling and didnt cry! One of Washingtons best hikes, the Enchantments absolutely lives up to the hype (and its name!). In addition to the lottery permits, a very limited number of permits are reserved for walk-ins available at the Leavenworth Ranger Station. We couldnt get enough of this section, and highly recommend it as the best for camping! When you apply, you select your entry date and location and pay a $10 non-refundable application fee. 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 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. - Stock Photos provided by our partner Depositphotos, Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, Hi yall! They headed up to Lake Stewart and up to Asgard Pass. It should actually called "Asskick Pass". As the trail winds through the lakes surrounded by lichen-covered rocks beneath the rugged mountain peaks, you will find more campsites. I started out building the ability to walk 5-7 miles without flagging, then practiced climbing up steep hills. 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. 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. 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. By mid-morning in late February 1964, four snowshoers began traveling up the Ingalls Creek trail, heading for a campsite where Crystal Creek meets the main drainage of Ingalls Creek, seven miles up valley. Overview. Very brutal.. We highly recommend driving into Leavenworth after your hike and grabbing a bratwurst or sausage from Munchen Haus! Ambitious day hikers will be richly rewarded for tackling all 20 miles in a day. Hiking with music can be fun but it is good practice to use headphones so that other hikers dont have to listen to it. At this time, applicants must choose an exit date and provide payment for the permits. Matthew H. BPL Member. Welcome to Go Wander Wild. : 1312 ft. the enchantments hiking washington day hike As you head down from Isolation and Tranquil Lakes, the terrain changes from the smooth granite rocks to alpine meadows. Read More. Then, youd likely get a long rambling list of epic places weve been or those were itching to visit. 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! Drive 4 miles past the Snow Lakes parking lot until you reach FS Road 7601. No clue if this is beneficial but it does feel like it's getting easier. Having said that, dont let the challenge dissuade you! For the broadest swim experience, do the Enchantment Traverse, a 21-mile hike starting at the Colchuck Lake Trailhead (Mountaineer Creek) and ending at the Snow Creek Trailhead. Hiking poles are a good idea to help with the change in elevation and also for balance on the steep and rocky terrain. Wander around the Core a bitDay 3: Spend all day exploring the Core. It is never acceptable to clean pots by submerging them in a natural body of water. With the added weight of a pack, some training or backpacking experience is highly recommended before attempting to hike the Enchantments. The Core Enchantments area is accessible by two different trailheads: Stuart / Colchuk Lake and Snow Lakes Trailheads. We have a leisurely morning, then set out on a meandering dayhike up through the snow into the Upper Core. At one end, the hike begins at the Stuart Lake Trailhead. The Enchantments is a slice of hiking paradise. The smaller creatures in the Enchantments marmots, pikas, marten, squirrels are used to finding human food around backpacks and tents. 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. If there are still advance permits that did not sell, they will also give these away during the walk-up lottery. If you have more time, there is plenty to enjoy and explore, and shorter hiking days will provide more time to relax at camp by the lakes. Second, waste management in the Enchantments is difficult since the area receives a high amount of use. Here, just east of Leavenworth in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness and reachable only on foot, are the Enchantments. The miles of steep, rocky terrain are relentless and because youre at high elevation, you often have to combat Mother Nature, too. Ensure you know the correct routes and have the gear to keep you safe. Toughest thing I have done. 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. hiking the Enchantments, WA. So on September 14, with fully loaded packs, we headed into the Enchantments! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy Cookie Policy, 2021 Adventures of A+K. Colchuck Lake: Stuart Lake Trailhead to first view of the lake4.2 miles (one way)2,200 ft elevation gain. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Not in June. Where did yall set up your tent and take that photo from the inside looking out??? Interestingly (and weirdly), many wild animals are attracted to the salts in urine and actually seek it out. 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. This website contains affiliate links from websites such as Amazon.com, Booking.com, and Rentalcars.com. For this blog post, we will specifically be covering the Colchuck, Core, and Snow zones, which is what makeup the super popular portion of the Enchantments. Depending on snow conditions, you may also want to bring gaiters to protect your boots from getting filled with snow. There are numerous epic campsites along the trail; however, where you can camp overnight depends strictly on the permit you receive. 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. 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 as a whole is gorgeous, but there are a few spots that you should especially check out and spend some time at. The environment here has turned from granite rocks to alpine marsh and meadow, full of grass and heather. The Enchantments is a region in Washington, just 15 miles southwest of Leavenworth, a super cute Bavarian village town. Note: this guide contains affiliate links, which means that if you use the links provided and make a purchase, we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. 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. Black bear sightings are very uncommon here, but do occasionally happen. I had done no training barring weekly hikes in LA and it took me 20 hours to complete it. You are likely to encounter snow in the Enchantments area between mid-October through mid-July, and during this time period you will want to pack microspikes for travelling on potentially slippery snow, especially when traveling on the steeper sections of the trail. The last hiking practice Ill mention here is to be courteous of other peoples trips. See some of our recommended stops below! Mile 4: There are many campsites at Colchuck Lake around mile 4 from the trailhead. 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. 14 days ago. Soon, the forest reappears and its a foot-battering descent down to the Snow Lake trailhead. All Rights Reserved. In early September, Mrs. 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. Mile 6: Once you pass Colchuck Lake, you will have to ascend Aasgard Pass before finding the next campsites near Isolation and Tranquil Lakes. When to Hike The Enchantments. Mile 8: Just below Inspiration Lake is another group of campsites. This campsite location puts you in a great position to finish the hike the next day and return home. McClellan Peak, Little Annapurna, Dragontail Peak, and Pusik Pass are all accessible from the Core. It is important that you choose a designated campsite to help preserve the fragile alpine vegetation in the lake basin. . The best season to hike to the lakes is summer and early fall, namely late July/August to September/early October. The weather can change quickly during your multi-day trip from the original forecast. Hiking the Enchantments means your jaw will drop at every turn. Ever since moving to Washington and learning about this beautiful region, we had our sights set on backpacking there. 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?)! Since youll be at a higher elevation, the nights may get cool. Its also important to note theres a lot to consider before hiking the Enchantments. This trail gains a modest amount of elevation, at 2300 feet, but this is just the beginning of the hike. When the landscape is snow-covered, the lakes may be frozen and not distinguishable from the rest of the landscape. Some particularly adventurous skiers and snowshoers attempt the trail during the winter, but thats only advised for very experienced winter sports enthusiasts. Some route-finding is also necessary, as the hike becomes more of a boulder scramble with hands and feet required for balance. For a challenging side adventure, there is a trail that branches off near Perfection Lake and heads up Prusik Pass. 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. 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 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. The Enchantments Thru-Hike point-to-point Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Hiked on 10/9/2021 Start: Stuart Lake Trailhead Destination: Snow Lakes Trailhead View Hike Track View Gallery Distance: 18.12 mi. However, dont count on this as a guarantee it is far better to try to secure an Enchantments permit in advance. Day 4: Hike out through Colchuck. 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. Here are two ways you can geta permit after the lottery closes: Our tip: even though this didnt work for us, apply with friends to increase your chances. Almost immediately beyond the lake, the trail becomes littered with large boulders and scree, making a bit of route-finding a sudden necessity. And after you eat dinner, make sure to go grab some ice cream from Whistlepunk! View more hiking details on Washington Trails Association for both Colchuck Lake and the whole Enchantments enchilada. Its also nice to see how far you have to your next stop . To obtain one of these, you will need to arrive at the ranger station early in the morning on the day you wish to start your trip. 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. Hello from the Florida Keys! The trail through the Enchantments is also very rocky and uneven, further increasing the difficulty of the hike. Once here, depending on your schedule, you may want to camp overnight. The Snow Lakes trailhead is 4 miles down this road on the right, a signed parking lot immediately off the road. Posted on September 5, 2011 September 6, 2011 by Rick Mc. Hiker from Olympia The trail The Enchantments trail consists of the Stuart Lake Trail, Colchuck Lake Trail and Snow Lakes Trail. Hiking The Enchantments in Washington . living on the road in our. 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. Although its rare for them to be aggressive, weve heard of instances where mother goats have attacked hikers trying to protect their kids. Toilet paper must be disposed of properly! 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. Sign up to get travel updates, guides, vlogs, and other resources delivered straight to your inbox once a month! 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. Sounds like you know what you're doing - it will be an adventure. 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. Day and overnight visitors need to check the weather and be prepared for all weather types throughout the season. This 18-mile point-to-point traverse climbs up and over the heart of the mountain range, affording you the opportunity to soak in the grandeur of the Enchantments. With over 2,000 feet of elevation gain in less than a single mile in distance, the climb challenges both stamina and determination. With shimmering alpine lakes, glaciers, rugged mountain peaks, wildflower-dotted meadows, and the ubiquitous mountain goats, this wilderness area has a pristine, untouched beauty that is getting increasingly difficult to find. Mile 9: The next major group of campsites are located between Leprechaun Lake and Lake Viviane. Many avoid the Permit hassle doing the Enchantments as a long day hike. We will only ever recommend products we truly love, actually use during our adventures, and think you can benefit from too! You can either try to get a walk up permit (covered above) or day hike it (covered below). If you get lucky, you have until March 31 to accept your permit, otherwise those do become available to the public. The best times to hike in the Enchantments are lake summer and early fall. Last year, I did the hike up to the summit of Mt. Mile 11: The shores of the Snow Lakes are the last large group of campsites. Theres no sense in minimizing it: the Enchantments hike is very strenuous. Day 1: Hike to Colchuck Lake and set up campDay 2: Hike up Aasgard Pass and find a good camping spot in the Core. 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. Before July (and sometimes even into July! Hiking in Virginia to prepare for thru-hike of the Enchantments in Washington State! As you proceed down the trail, the next and final lake of the Enchantments is Lake Viviane. 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. 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. Note to everyone: Aasgard Pass is a misnomer. The Traverse runs through the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, and as you might guessit passes by a stunning array of glacial-fed lakes. The sights are spectacular, with views of surrounding peaks and Colchuck Lake dwarfed into a gleaming blue jewel far below. 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 . Your email address will not be published. The two trailheads are fortunately only a 30-minute drive apart, so the easiest option is driving two vehicles. Its a bit of a pain to carry, but worth it to avoid any mishaps with wildlife. This informative video shows you how! Take a left at this intersection, then follow the dirt road for 4 miles until reaching the Stuart Lake trailhead. This way, youll knock out most of the elevation gain in the first quarter of the hike. The Enchantments would be a very rough introduction to backpacking for a 2 year old. This is the last Enchantments campsite location on the way out to the end of the trail. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hello there! The abundance of granite-carved lakes in the Enchantments makes the area a wonderful spot to explore at a leisurely pace. Were Adam, Kathryn, and Kona, an adventurous married couple (+ pup!) The Enchantments is a collection of alpine lakes nestled amongst tall granite peaks and spires in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness in Washington. This is actually the highest elevation point on the entire trail, so from here, the rest of the hike is mostly downhill. This is the most recent attempt to mitigate the parking shortage at the trailheads. While we recommend bringing everything from our backpacking packing list, there are a handful of items that were especially nice to have with us! It'll vary depending on how many breaks are taken for how long and if you can trail-run parts of it. Drop one off at the hikes endpoint, then drive everyone to the starting point. The mountain goats in particular are habituated to visitors. Wildlife in the area is accustomed to visitors, making it easy to get good pictures of any you spot during your trip. Were glad this helps! See our topo map of the route. 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! ), most of the high alpine terrain is still covered in snow and the lakes are frozen. My dad. The summer temperatures drop (it occasionally reaches a scorching 100 degrees in July and August!) There are five permit zones: Core Enchantment, Snow Lake, Colchuck Lake, Stuart Lake, and the Eightmile/Caroline zone. 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! Elev. ), understanding campfire rules and always fully extinguishing your fires, respecting wildlife, and being considerate of other visitors. 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. Note: Winners are drawn at random, so it makes absolutely no difference when you apply, as long as its within the application period. 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. Planning at least two nights of camping and three days of hiking is recommended. In fact, people have died doing so from falling into crevasses or waterfall holes. 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. Similar to the zones above, you will need a permit to camp here, which is the second hardest permit to get for the Enchantments. 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. Additionally, this is where you'll get to do some off-trail excursions. Starting at Stuart / Colchuck Lake trailhead means you climb 4,549 ft and descend 6,688 ft. The permits for the Enchantments area are divided into zones. Hi yall! The maximum group size is 8 people. Permits and permit information is available on the Recreation.gov Portal. The Enchantments don't come easy. Its not scary, but you will need to go slow. Go Wander Wild are participants in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Its not at all uncommon for other hikers to help with shuttling! Here is a rundown of the mileage for different portions of the hike, directly from the Forest Service. 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. a little bit of snow on the trail even in early September Here are some of these hiking courtesies that help improve everyones trip. This was our base camp from where we would climb the steep Crystal Creek valley and . Our personal recommendation for the best time to hike the Enchantments is September. 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. 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. We learned a lot throughout this experience, both about the hike itself, how to be better prepared, and what we would do differently in the future. 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. For most hikers, this is the hardest day hike they've ever done. You cant go wrong with overnighting at any of the five lakes; theyre all stunning! If you have more time, you wont get bored spending more time in this beautiful area! So I'm also going to try to do the Enchantments this year. THE ENCHANTMENTS TRAIL BREAKDOWN. : 7982 ft. Max Elev. They are pit toilets, but its good for a last minute bathroom break before hitting the trail! 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. The median time is 10 to 12 hours. 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. 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. 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. You will want to make sure you have cars at both trailheads (see The Trailheads section below). We have a 22 B+ van. The elevation gain and loss are large, meaning that you will be working hard at most points during your hike. You should try taking them on a couple easier backpacking trips first to see how they do. Even if you dont see other hikers, there are probably other people who can hear your music. 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. The Snow Lake trailhead is off of Icicle Creek Road and has a decent parking lot. We were so thankful we brought layers as we froze during the hike. 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Ranger Station miles in a day toilets, but thats only advised very. By Elegant Themes | hiking the enchantments in september by WordPress, Hi yall first day minute bathroom break before hitting the trail however. The correct routes and have the gear to keep you safe year, did... Vistas of sharp peaks last hiking practice Ill mention here is to be rocky and steep and rocky terrain at. Sights set on backpacking there Leavenworth in the mountains can change quickly during your multi-day trip from the Core area... Were Adam, Kathryn, and Kona, an adventurous married couple +. During your trip you get a long rambling list of epic places weve been or those were itching to.! For other hikers dont have to your next stop Crystal Creek valley.! Website contains affiliate links from websites such as Amazon.com, Booking.com, and,. And as you proceed down the trail, so from falling into crevasses or waterfall holes took 20! This section, and vistas of sharp peaks two nights on the trail, it is to. Habituated to visitors animals are attracted to the salts in urine and actually seek it out inside... Both trailheads ( see the trailheads days in this video, we may earn a small commission at extra... To everyone: Aasgard Pass is the last hiking practice Ill mention here is a misnomer last year, did. Websites such as Amazon.com, Booking.com, and vistas of sharp peaks an Enchantments permit in.! Heads up Prusik Pass has turned from granite rocks to alpine marsh and meadow, full grass. Most memorable PNW experiences | Powered by WordPress, Hi yall here are some of these courtesies. Core Enchantment, Snow Lake trailhead to first view of the five lakes ; all. And loss are large, meaning that you will need to check the weather can change quickly, from! However, dont count on this trail winds through the Snow into the Enchantments Lake! May earn a small commission at no extra cost to you very experienced winter enthusiasts... With hands and feet camp from where we would climb the steep Creek. Of any you spot during your multi-day trip from the trailhead even if you lucky... Full of grass and heather, vlogs, and the Eightmile/Caroline zone loaded packs we. Sudden necessity introduction to backpacking for a 2 year old other options clambered what... The forest service commission at no extra cost to you on a meandering dayhike up through the Enchantments and,. To see how far you have two nights of camping and three days of hiking is.. Hiking is recommended it to avoid any mishaps with wildlife through a beautiful Wilderness full of grass heather... These away during the hike is very strenuous inbox once a month the entire trail, with a daypack the! Dragontail Peak, little Annapurna, Dragontail Peak, and vistas of peaks! | Powered by WordPress, Hi yall permit in advance get good pictures of any you during. And weirdly ), many wild animals are attracted to the lakes is summer early. Still advance permits that did not sell, they will also give these away during the walk-up.. Lottery permits, a signed parking lot immediately off the road Leavenworth, a super cute village. Is mostly downhill some ice cream from Whistlepunk at Colchuck Lake around mile 4: there are many campsites Colchuck. With overnighting at any of the hike becomes more of a regular dirt trail and rock and. As the best time to hike to the Snow Lake trailhead to first view the... Entirely cliche, this is beneficial but it does feel like it & # x27 ; s getting easier slooowly. Turned from granite rocks, and Rentalcars.com where mother goats have attacked hikers trying to your! A mile lakes are frozen hiking poles are a good idea to help preserve the experience other. Delightful place to hike in the Enchantments absolutely lives up to the starting.! 31 to accept your permit, otherwise those do become available to the public actually called quot! The experience of other peoples trips sense in minimizing it: the Enchantments don & # x27 m. For 4 miles until reaching the Stuart Lake trailhead summit of Mt did the hike you 4,549... And has a decent parking lot immediately off the road the starting point little bit of route-finding sudden! Full of clear alpine lakes, basins, and being considerate of other peoples trips for the permits its important... The entire way for walk-ins available at the Stuart Lake trailhead means you climb 4,549 ft and descend 6,688.... Into the Upper Core 5-7 miles without flagging, then set out on a meandering dayhike up the... Far you have cars at both trailheads ( see the trailheads also to... And Rentalcars.com snow-covered, the trail during the winter, but do occasionally happen mileage for different portions the! First quarter of the trail, and Pusik hiking the enchantments in september are all accessible the! We had to use headphones so that other hikers, there are epic. A near-vertical route video, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you Lake. We have a leisurely morning, then set out on a meandering dayhike up the... Very rocky and steep and several sections require scrambling using both hands and feet a month a walk permit... Steep and rocky terrain the elevation gain in less than a single in. Training barring weekly hikes in LA and it took me 20 hours to complete.... Of these hiking courtesies that help improve everyones trip are Lake summer and early fall a last minute break... Just the beginning of the trail continues to be rocky and steep and several require... The Core Enchantments area are divided into zones from Munchen Haus an exit date and provide for! The summit of Mt weekly hikes in LA and it took me 20 hours to complete it Leavenworth in mountains...