I started at Stuart Lake Trailhead and ended at Snow Lakes Trailhead. Because we had no intentions of thru-hiking the Enchantments in one day, we decided to take a “later” shuttle that departed the Snow Lakes Trailhead at 7am and got us to the Stuart Lake/Colchuck Lake Trailhead around 7:30. Doing the entire Enchantments as a day hike was definitely more difficult than we had expected. 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. If you can dodge rain forecasts, I highly recommend this hike. This hike usually takes two days each way and is described as "long, steep, and grueling." We left our motel room at 3 a.m. which was located right in downtown Leavenworth, Washington. The trail straightens out but keeps up with its rapid descent, briefly passing in and out of the trees, but most of this time you are exposed to the sun. You can do the Enchantments in a single day–but you’ll need a car shuttle, as it’s 18 miles one way. In this article (part 1 of our two part series) learn about the hiking trail. The day pass, which is essentially a parking pass, costs $5 per vehicle. Just turn right when you step off the bridge and keep following the dirt trail. On the day we hiked The Enchantments, the temperature ranged from about 40° F to 70°. Elevation Loss: 1,000 feet Time it right. Not very many people do. Happy hiking! These are also located at the trailhead. Distance: 5.5 miles Starting at either end hike through forest to gain the 7,000-foot plateau. Republishing this article and/or any of its contents (text, photography, etc. Inspiration Lake was my personal favorite. By now, we were exhausted, sore, and very hot (we did this on a day where the high temperature reached 101°F). A ranger might check to see if you have this during your hike (ours was checked). Over the course of almost 20 miles, you will ascend one mile and then drop down another 7,000 feet to finish the hike. The first time you round the corner and come out of the trees at Colchuck Lake is something of a religious experience. Be mentally prepared for a longer, tougher day, bring a water filter so you don’t have to lug extra weight up the Aasgard Pass, and keep your fingers crossed that it won’t be hot (maybe avoid mid-summer and go at the end of August or early September instead). At the minimum, you’ll want to hike, run, or do some sort of cardio three-five days a week. However, because most hikers don’t want to start before sunrise and attempt 18 miles and 4,500 feet of elevation gain in one day, many try and secure overnight hiking permits. The third option is to hitch hike back to your car…also not a great option this year but it’s what the locals do. Isolation Lake is one of the larger lakes that you will come to first. December -January? We have so much information to share with you that it could not all fit into one article. However, be prepared for the ~15 miles you have left after Aasgard. Thanks , That’s a great question!! The stretch between Snow Lakes and Lake Vivian (the first lake within the Core Zone) is not a walk in the park. Mosquitoes might also be a problem for the remainder of the hike. for more inspiration and travel planning tips. This rocky, mountainous terrain is dotted with small, colorful lakes. The Core Enchantments will typically be snow-free by then, the... Icicle Creek Road (access to Stuart Lakes and Snow Lakes Trailheads) is about 2.5 hours from Seattle, out Highway 2. 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Just past the lake, it’s one last small climb to reach to the top of Aasgard Pass. Average Time: roughly 1 hour. Even though it’s not uphill, it will mess with your head to keep pushing yourself for that long after the “hard” part is over. Part 2 covers the planning, training, and logistics to have a successful hike. If you are a hiker, the Enchantments is a destination that belongs at the top of your list. Trip Overview: The 20 mile Enchantments Traverse backpacking trip goes the beautiful and popular Enchantments Lakes region of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness in the Cascade Mountains. Share Your Local Tips! For overnight permits, check with the ranger station or reserve a wilderness permit online at Recreation.gov . 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. See more ideas about the enchantments, washington hikes, alpine lake. I chronicle the grueling hike to Snow Lakes in the Enchantments Backpacking the Enchantments - Day 1 to Snow Lakes We headed into the Central Cascades and the Enchantments for the first day of our four day backpacking trip. Reach your car with throbbing feet, aching legs, and skeptical memory - wondering if what you just experienced was real. At first the trail slowly descends through the forest, so it is easy to hike fast here. The blue line is Icicle Creek Road. Reply. Turquoise, emerald, and aquamarine alpine lakes are scattered through the jagged, snow-capped mountain peaks. The Upper Enchantments almost look like something from another planet. Vlad and I set off on an awesome 20 mile day hike through what is perhaps the most beautiful wilderness of Washington State - The Enchantments! Q. I understand that it's tough to get a permit in the Enchantments. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. But the Enchantments is tougher. I sweat so much my legs completely cramped and locked up. A fond look back from the wet meadow just above Lake Stuart toward the high and stunning Enchantments. As you slowly descend through the Core Enchantments, more plant life makes an appearance. Day 3: Inspiration Lake, a.k.a. Campgrounds around The Enchantments will give you a taste of this majestic region. Keep in mind that you are not looking to make any significant elevation gains here, you are just crossing the boulder area while keeping Colchuck Lake to your left. It is so tempting to relax and linger at these lakes, but you still have very far to go before your day is over. Our fastest sections were at the very beginning and the very end of the trail, where the terrain was smooth enough that we could keep up a fast pace. The weather can change quickly and dramatically in The Enchantments, and it’s essential to be prepared for anything Mother Nature feels like throwing your way. That’s the whole reason for doing this hike, right? Photo ops abound in every direction as you discover new waterfalls and cliffs around every corner. Overnight permits for the May 15th through October 31st timeframe are awarded in a permit lottery, which takes place during February & March every year. Conditions will be evaluated around 5-15. And that final five mile stretch to the car is a beast. 7 Intermediate Trails. We had done 20 mile day hikes before, but the 4000 feet up and 6000 feet down and the more difficult than expected terrain made it quite a challenge. The red line is the hiking trail. 2 Recommended Routes. The trail steepens for the next 1.5 miles before popping you out at the rim of the spectacular blue-green lake. 15135 Hits. Guide to The Enchantments Day Hikes Dragontail Peak is the highest mountain in The Enchantments. For the most part, you are hiking through a forest. And when we did this, it reached 100 degrees, so the heat made it very tough, especially at the end of the hike. Wildflowers bloom along the edges of the trail, mountain goats graze on the grasses, and the larches turn brilliantly yellow in the fall months. © 2021 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. We have so much information to share with you that it could not all fit into one article. ), deposit the bottom section in the box, and take the top part of the permit with you. Ending Elevation (Snow Lakes TH): 1,400 feet (425 meters) Low . 77.48 % Score. You will hike counter-clockwise around Colchuck Lake. A long, strenuous day hike or backpack through one of the most beautiful alpine settings on earth, The Enchantments in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. You can leave your tent at Snow Lake as a base and make day hikes into the other zones, such as the Enchantment zone, but you must camp in the Snow Zone. The descent is the hardest part, it was painful and felt like it would never end! The pain and the fatigue will fade once you get to the Upper Enchantments. It is a long, hard day but one that you will never forget. You’re so close, but this last bit of trail (a little over a mile to go at this point) still seems to take a long time. This is not an easy day hike, but if you’re doing The Enchantments, visiting the Core Zone is a must. You can explore The Enchantments by day hikes, but the most striking landscapes require challenging, multi-day excursions — and a backpacking permit. On average, people with overnight packs will take 3 or 4 hours just to go from Colchuck Lake to the top of Aasgard Pass. We’re both pretty fit, but we didn’t do any extra training (we weren’t even sure we were going to attempt it until we ran into someone coming back from Delta Lake who said we should go for it). Day 1 – Permit lottery and getting to Snow Lakes The Enchantments Traverse is one of our best hikes in the world.. The Enchantments. Also, you will hike up and over the Aasgard Pass early in the hike, when your legs are still fresh. I called the Ranger Station today and I thought I'd pass on what they told me. Visitors must obtain a highly coveted permit through a lottery to gain overnight access, which keeps the crowds to a minimum and the views to a premium. Reply. You have now gone about 6.75 miles with roughly 4,500 feet of total ascent. Ambitious day hikers will be richly rewarded for tackling all 20 miles in … Everybody who sees them at this stage just falls in love," says Alan Yen, a member of the Washington Native Plant Society who once took an 18-mile day hike through the Enchantments to see the trees. It was a challenge to do in one day, but if you’re a regular hiker, it’s a great one to do at the end of the season when you’re in your best shape. 199 Kilometers. Elevation Loss: 4,000 feet It takes 45 minutes to one hour to walk around the lake to start of the climb up Aasgard Pass. The trail follows Mountaineer Creek and leads you across a log bridge over the falls. When you get to the far end of the lake, you’ll come out of the trees and enter a boulder area. The Enchantments is a stunning landscape of sharp granite peaks and open country studded with small glacial lakes. If you go hiking in the Enchantments… The best time of year to go is August-September. To save time, we had filled out the day permit beforehand. We did not do this because of COVID and shuttle services are very limited this year. As always, arrive early to grab a parking spot and make sure to bring a floaty so you can take a little swim around the crystal clear lake. Turn right once you reach this boulder field. This hike is located at the beginning of the Enchantments and does not require one of the coveted Enchantments permits for a day hike, making it a hot spot in the summer. Find hikes, backpacking, photo spots, and more around Leavenworth. Final stats: 13 hours, 23 miles, 4400 feet gain, 6700 feet loss. Hard to imagine a better place. Yes, you are going downhill but it can be painful. It is a gorgeous hike and well worth the effort. HIKING WASHINGTON | Thru-Hiking The Enchantments in One Day // This was one of the hardest (and most beautiful) day hikes I’ve ever done in my life. The Bavarian town of Leavenworth is located in the midst of beautiful alpine mountains and lakes, making it a great base camp for day hikes. The Enchantments Traverse (same trail + route as described here) is one of Washington's most famous and popular trail runs, and sounds like an awesome way to pack in all of the beauty of this area into one challenging day. Colchuck Lake Hike Info. Day 1: Colchuck Lake. Some more easy trail and about 15 minutes of careful boulder-hopping following the cairns will lead you to the bottom of Aasgard Pass. On the Enchantments hike, particularly between Aasgard Pass and Nada Lake, there are always obstacles along the trail, so you can’t move quickly and you really have to pay attention to where you place your feet. Unlike the other Enchantment lakes, the trail to Eightmile Lake is not part of the thru-hike. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your In August 2020, I solo-hiked The Enchantments and camped one night in the Snow Permit Zone, which is less popular than The Colchuck and Core Enchantments Permit Areas. Your Enchantment Kit will not equal 45lbs (shooting for 15 or less), bring a few extra gallons of water to make weight. Our website uses cookies. The parking lot is located at the very end of the gravel road. The Enchantments Death March, a one day thru-hike gaining over 6k in 18 tough, rocky, granite-filled miles is simply stunning and a mountain goat paradise. For the latter option, I would recommend bringing two cars and booking a place to stay nearby on the nights before and after the hike. Pro Travel Tip: There are very few trail signs along the trail. We are fast hikers, but the trail conditions (steep descents, obstacles on the trail, and hot conditions) slowed us down. Average Time: 45 minutes to one hour (this includes time for a quick break or snack) 5 Difficult Trails. More than a dozen high alpine lakes carved in granite. Once you see this small but gorgeous lake, it’s just a short uphill walk up and over the Aasgard Pass. We were lucky to see two deer cross the trail right in front of us. Now you will alternate between easy and moderate ascents a few times until you reach Colchuck Lake. Most people chose to start at the Stuart/Colchuck Lakes trailhead for two reasons. My husband and I did the Paintbrush Divide/Cascade Canyon loop in the Tetons this summer. When we did this, the water was just a few inches deep, so we left our shoes on. Wildflowers, small shrubs, and eventually larches and evergreen trees appear. Earth Trekkers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to Amazon.com. However, this day hiking through the Enchantments is very strenuous for MOST hikers. trip report by besthike editor Rick McCharles. It’s a short, flat easy walk around Nada Lake. When to hike the Enchantments The permit season for the Enchantments is between May 15 and October 31. Who get a permit awarded by lottery I sweat so much information to share with you that 's! The wet meadow just above Lake Stuart toward the high and stunning Enchantments Enchantments permit for! 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