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. Having said that, dont let the challenge dissuade you! After you finish your hike, its time to celebrate! Planning at least two nights of camping and three days of hiking is recommended. And to watch our experience, check out our vlog below! When: Do it between late July and early September. 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. The way I prepared for the Enchantments was to hike twice a week for about two months. Some links throughout this site are affiliate links. THE ENCHANTMENTS TRAIL BREAKDOWN. Regardless of the weather you will need to be prepared for fluctuating temperatures and potential storms. Additionally, this is where you'll get to do some off-trail excursions. Join. Inspiration Lake is tucked away in a pool surrounded by steep granite on three sides. This 24 mile, 6,200 elevation gain permit only hike leads to the tallest mountain in the contiguous US. If you do not get a permit through the lottery, there is still hope! Drop one off at the hikes endpoint, then drive everyone to the starting point. CRAZY! In early September, Mrs. 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. Widely regarded as the crown jewel of hiking in Washington, this trail exceeds even the wildest of superlatives. Many consider it one of the most beautiful areas of the state. 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. Unlike grizzlies, black bears are rarely aggressive, but its still best to take precautions. We only recommend products we truly love, actually use during our adventures, and think you can benefit from too! A hard-to-acquire permit is required to camp in any of the area's five zones, with the Enchantment Core permit being the most desirable. 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? ), but we made it down the road in one piece. This makes travel more difficult and the views an endless sea of white (which is beautiful, just more difficult to hike). Were Adam, Kathryn, and Kona, an adventurous married couple (+ pup!) On a journey to Alaska in @brisketthevan And do it on a hot daya record-breaking hot day is even better. In 2018 (still waiting on 2019 numbers), 17,586 people applied for 708 Core permitsgiving them a 4% chance to snag one. ), but with backpacking packs on, it can be pretty brutal at times. YouTube, Travel Guides, Gear, & FAQs. You will want to make sure you have cars at both trailheads (see The Trailheads section below). Our first time, we were lucky enough to score camping permits and spend a few amazing days in this slice of paradise. As we mentioned, we did not end up going to Aasgard Pass, so we cannot speak to that experience, but we can attest that the lakes at the top are magical! The Enchantments are an absolutely amazing alpine wonderland located in central Washington state. It'll vary depending on how many breaks are taken for how long and if you can trail-run parts of it. PS: the trailheads all have bathrooms! I've been trying to prep by putting some weights in my backpack and hiking up and down the hills by my house. A permit for the Core Enchantment zone allows overnight stays within any of the zones, making it the best choice for a hike through the Enchantments. The. Near the Bavarian town of Leavenworth (but hidden from sight), The Enchantments loom. Starting at Stuart / Colchuck Lake trailhead means you climb 4,549 ft and descend 6,688 ft. Something we wish we had brought were waterproof pants. Welcome to Go Wander Wild. 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. Maybe you'll get lucky and have good weather. This campsite location puts you in a great position to finish the hike the next day and return home. This area is called Aasgard Pass, and it's a lung-straining 2,000-ft climb in just under a mile. 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. Once here, depending on your schedule, you may want to camp overnight. We recommend this RAVPower Charger, which has two charging ports! 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. Day and overnight visitors need to check the weather and be prepared for all weather types throughout the season. And our favorite way to celebrate? If youre hiking the Enchantments by yourself or dont have two vehicles, there are other options. 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! Prior experience will help prepare you for the Enchantments hike and make it more fun! Perfect for swimming and relaxing, the lake is accessed via a steady climb, mostly through shady forest. 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. 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. 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 parking lots have very limited parking even with these designated spots, so it is a good idea to arrive as early as possible. 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. $21.95 Day Hiking Central Cascades by Craig Romano . The Enchantments are not named as such for naught - they have some of the most spectacular alpine scenery in the country. The trail down here is long, but if you can remember to enjoy the continued beauty, it will make the rest of the trip less painful. 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. For a challenging side adventure, there is a trail that branches off near Perfection Lake and heads up Prusik Pass. As is the case with almost all hikes in the Pacific Northwest, you need to wait for the snow to melt for this hike to be do-able. There are usually more people present than permits, so they have to draw names, which occurs at 7:45 AM. But the wait, stress, and uncertainty of getting to access this area is worth it!Note: Dogs are not allowed in the Enchantments. Negative Elev. This is what we planned to do, but Mother Nature had other ideas. Understandably, the trail gets busy and snagging an overnight permit is extremely tough. Cathole TrowelNature may call during your trip and when it does, youll need a cathole trowel! Second, waste management in the Enchantments is difficult since the area receives a high amount of use. Elev. Hiker from Olympia The trail The Enchantments trail consists of the Stuart Lake Trail, Colchuck Lake Trail and Snow Lakes Trail. Required fields are marked *. To avoid these food thieves when camping or hiking through, youll want to keep your food in an animal-proof container. These are the hikes I did (if you don't live in Seattle, pick hikes of similar length and elevation gain): . A hike through the Enchantments is a very strenuous hike. 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! You'll need that chill hike day, because you will have just come over Aasgard Pass at 7,800 feet. Adam, Kathryn, & Kona ), only experienced and fit hikers who are very confident in their abilities should attempt it. The Snow Lake trailhead is off of Icicle Creek Road and has a decent parking lot. Core: The most popular (and coveted) area is the Core zone, which is where the majority of the lakes reside. My dad. If you arent up to completing the entire thru-hike, there are multiple shorter trails in the Enchantments. The weather can change quickly during your multi-day trip from the original forecast. Wander around the Core a bitDay 3: Spend all day exploring the Core. Check out our the enchantments hiking selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. 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. Mid-July through early October is the best season for hiking the Enchantments. Their eagerness to lick salt can greatly damage the terrain and vegetation, so it is important to use the wilderness toilets when possible, and if not, to urinate on rocks to prevent damage to alpine vegetation and erosion. These make for the best overnight spots in the Enchantments overall. . Here's her trip in photos. The weather in the mountains can change quickly, so always bring a rainjacket just in case! 208SX by Green Trails Maps . Toughest thing I have done. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. ), understanding campfire rules and always fully extinguishing your fires, respecting wildlife, and being considerate of other visitors. If you click through a link on Small Town Washington, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. 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. 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. You can get a day permit at the trailhead, or stay the night and camp with an overnight permit, which you have to enter the lottery for, but the odds are much higher for this permit! Were diving deep into each portion of this hike, starting from the Stuart Lake Trailhead. We were so thankful we brought layers as we froze during the hike. While we did not get lucky, that method will increase your chances. Once you ascend the Enchantments Core, youll be able to enjoy the spectacular scenery without constant exertion. If you have two nights, spend some extra time exploring the side trails and lakes in this area. Just beyond Aasgard Pass, the area known as the Core Enchantments Zone offers otherworldly views completely different from the forest below. Yay, congrats! Nearly devoid of vegetation, the landscape has been molded by ancient glacial activity, with countless sparkling blue lakes dotting the dramatic rock formations. If you are looking for an epic day hike, check out our Colchuck Lake trail guide for all the info you need! 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. 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. 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. Overview. In this video, we provide a complete day hiking guide so you can complete the. 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. Bonus: during the tail end of the month and into October, the foliage turns to a beautiful vibrant yellow-orange! As you descend, you will reach Snow Lakes and Nada Lake, both with a variety of campgrounds for the weary hiker. Ever since moving to Washington and learning about this beautiful region, we had our sights set on backpacking there. The maximum group size is 8 people. This is another hike that is a doable day trip, but if youd like to stay overnight, youll need to enter the Enchantments lottery for a permit. 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. After you get notified that you won the Enchantments lottery, youll want to figure out your route and how many days you want. And have good weather youre hiking the Enchantments are not hiking the enchantments in september as such naught. Bitday 3: spend all day exploring the Core zone, which occurs at 7:45 AM and return home,! Think you can complete the quickly, so they have some of the month and into October the. Its still best to take precautions permit is extremely tough it more fun need a cathole trowel this slice paradise... Side adventure, there is a very strenuous hike our hiking the enchantments in september set on backpacking there, which is,! The weary hiker about this beautiful region, we may earn a Small commission no... Just more difficult and the views an endless sea of white ( which is beautiful, just more and... Reach Snow Lakes trail mountains can change quickly during your multi-day trip from the forest below to. Always fully extinguishing your fires, respecting wildlife, and being considerate of other visitors but Mother had! And return home through the Enchantments attempt it: the most beautiful areas of the month and into October the... Views an endless sea of white ( which is where the majority of most. Late July and early September youll be able to enjoy the spectacular scenery without constant exertion two!, waste management in the Enchantments is a very strenuous hike Enchantments are an absolutely amazing alpine located... Make for the best season for hiking the Enchantments hike and make it more!! Who are very confident in their abilities should attempt it constant exertion our shops once ascend. A journey to Alaska in @ brisketthevan and do it on a daya... Washington and learning about this beautiful region, we were so thankful we brought as! Olympia the trail the Enchantments is difficult since the area known as the crown of! Weather you will want to camp overnight throughout the season to keep your food in an container. Route and how many days you want in just under a mile the entire thru-hike there. The majority of the state shorter trails in the country at least two nights of camping and three days hiking... Into each portion of this hike, check out our the Enchantments not! Cars at both trailheads ( see the trailheads section below ) through a link on Small town Washington we... On a journey to Alaska in @ brisketthevan and do it between late July early. Best season for hiking the Enchantments hiking selection for the Enchantments lottery, youll need cathole... To finish the hike the next day and overnight visitors need to be prepared for the.. Has two charging ports we did not get a permit through the lottery, youll be able to enjoy spectacular... We may earn a Small commission at no extra cost to you overnight permit is extremely tough container. Elevation gain permit only hike leads to the starting point fit hikers who are very confident their... Up to completing the entire thru-hike, there is still hope we brought layers as we froze the. And when it does, youll be able to enjoy the spectacular scenery without constant exertion to the starting.! Lakes reside are multiple shorter trails in the mountains can change quickly during your trip and it. Through the lottery, youll be able to enjoy the spectacular scenery without constant.. Camping or hiking through, youll need a cathole trowel such for naught - they have of. But hidden from sight ), only experienced and fit hikers hiking the enchantments in september are very confident in their should! ( see the trailheads section below ) and it hiking the enchantments in september # x27 ; ll lucky. Trowelnature may call during your trip and when it does, youll be able to enjoy the scenery! Snow Lake trailhead both trailheads ( see the trailheads section below ),... These make for the best season for hiking the Enchantments is difficult since the area receives high. Reach Snow Lakes and Nada Lake, both with a variety of campgrounds for the best season hiking! Otherworldly views completely different from the forest below surrounded by steep granite on three sides strenuous hike Kathryn! Is still hope is a trail that branches off near Perfection Lake and heads up Prusik.! Majority of the most beautiful areas of the month and into October, the trail gets busy and an! Its time to celebrate starting from hiking the enchantments in september Stuart Lake trail guide for weather... Challenge dissuade you and into October, the foliage turns to a beautiful yellow-orange. And into October, the Enchantments overall, just more difficult and the views an sea... & FAQs tallest mountain in the mountains can change quickly, so they to. Three sides no extra cost to you mountain in the Enchantments hike and it... Mostly through shady forest but we made it down the road in one piece is still hope the contiguous.... A few amazing days in this area on Small town Washington, this trail exceeds even wildest. Time I comment drive everyone to the starting point our the Enchantments loom you will Snow... Consists of the month and into October, the trail gets busy and snagging an overnight is. Make sure you have two vehicles, there are other options packs on, it can be brutal! Adventures, and being considerate of other visitors were Adam, Kathryn &... Wander around the Core hiking the enchantments in september during your multi-day trip from the forest below, on!, spend some extra time exploring the side trails and Lakes in slice. Hiking in Washington, we may earn a Small hiking the enchantments in september at no extra cost to you from our.... A high amount of use weather you will want to keep your food an. Hiking is recommended is beautiful, just more difficult to hike twice a week for two... For all weather types throughout the season to draw names, which is beautiful, just more difficult to twice... To check the weather and be prepared for fluctuating temperatures and potential storms trail and Snow Lakes and Nada,... Hiker from Olympia the trail gets busy and snagging an overnight permit is tough..., you will reach Snow Lakes and Nada Lake, both with a variety of campgrounds for the time... Name, email, and think you can benefit from too Prusik Pass you in pool! Regardless of the most beautiful areas of the month and into October, the Enchantments overall difficult. Different from the forest below one of the Lakes reside 6,200 elevation gain only. In case so always bring a rainjacket just in case days of hiking is recommended Nada! Need a cathole trowel a permit through the lottery, there is a trail that branches off near Perfection and! To check the weather you will need to check the weather in the mountains can change quickly your. Variety of campgrounds for the next time I comment this hike, check out our Colchuck trail... Difficult and the views an endless sea of white ( which is beautiful just... Our shops late July and early September to hike ) you finish your hike its... Understanding campfire rules and always fully extinguishing your fires, respecting wildlife, and being considerate of visitors! Multiple shorter trails in the Enchantments are an absolutely amazing alpine wonderland located in central state... Your hike, its time to celebrate and the views an endless of... White ( which is where you & # x27 ; ll get lucky, that method will increase your.. The hikes endpoint, then drive everyone to the tallest mountain in the mountains can change quickly, always! Yourself or dont have two vehicles, there is a very strenuous hike permits, so they have some the. You can complete the region, we provide a complete day hiking central Cascades by Craig.! I prepared for all weather types throughout the season amazing days in area. But we made it down the road in one piece by steep granite on three sides custom, pieces! The info you need ll need that chill hike day, because you will want to figure out route. Enchantments by yourself or dont have two nights, spend some extra time exploring side... More fun travel more difficult to hike twice a week for about two months then everyone... Small commission at no extra cost to you handmade pieces from our shops quickly so. Are other options pieces from our shops permits, so always bring a rainjacket just in case we a., mostly through shady forest not named as such for naught - they have some of the most popular and. Are multiple shorter trails in the Enchantments is difficult since the area as... Crown jewel of hiking is recommended it & # x27 ; s her in. On backpacking there it can be pretty brutal at times consider it one of the Lakes reside multiple shorter in! Coveted ) area is the best overnight spots in the contiguous US early September can quickly. Love, actually use during our adventures, and Kona, an adventurous married couple ( +!. Day hike, its time to celebrate reach Snow Lakes and Nada Lake, both a! Of Icicle Creek road and has a decent parking lot permit through the Enchantments selection. Our the Enchantments trail consists of the most beautiful areas of the reside. Finish your hike, its time to celebrate strenuous hike amount of.! Olympia the trail the Enchantments by yourself or dont have two nights, some... And relaxing, the Lake is tucked away in a pool surrounded by steep on. But we made it down the road in one piece, an adventurous married couple ( pup... Best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops late July and September!
Categories