Want to discover more trails in Washington? Hiking poles are a good idea to help with the change in elevation and also for balance on the steep and rocky terrain. After you finish your hike, its time to celebrate! Mile 8: Just below Inspiration Lake is another group of campsites. Day and overnight visitors need to check the weather and be prepared for all weather types throughout the season. These campsites provide excellent views of Little Annapurna, one of the tallest peaks along the trail, and an opportunity for a scrambling side-trip if you are feeling adventurous. water is almost as impressive as the backdrop: the jagged and dramatic Dragontail peak. For a challenging side adventure, there is a trail that branches off near Perfection Lake and heads up Prusik Pass. Take a left at this intersection, then follow the dirt road for 4 miles until reaching the Stuart Lake trailhead. It is never acceptable to clean pots by submerging them in a natural body of water. Widely regarded as the crown jewel of hiking in Washington, this trail exceeds even the wildest of superlatives. Plus, Stuart Lake is a couple thousand feet higher than Snow Lakes, so your total elevation gain is lower! Viewing 13 posts - 1 through 13 (of 13 total) Jun 24, 2014 at 7:44 am #1318302. The weather in the mountains can change quickly, so always bring a rainjacket just in case! 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. YouTube, Travel Guides, Gear, & FAQs. 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. Continue reading. The Core Enchantments area is accessible by two different trailheads: Stuart / Colchuk Lake and Snow Lakes Trailheads. This informative video shows you how! 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. Youll share the first part of the trail into the Enchantments with many fellow hikers since its one of the best (and closest!) In this guide, well share how to best experience hiking the Enchantments, whether on a day trip or as a multi-day camping experience. 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. During warm dry summer days in July and August, you will also need to be prepared for hot afternoons. We recommend this RAVPower Charger, which has two charging ports! October 11, 2021. 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. This was our base camp from where we would climb the steep Crystal Creek valley and . 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. If youre hiking the Enchantments by yourself or dont have two vehicles, there are other options. As you descend, you will reach Snow Lakes and Nada Lake, both with a variety of campgrounds for the weary hiker. Some links throughout this site are affiliate links. When you apply, you select your entry date and location and pay a $10 non-refundable application fee. Perfection Lake is another clear, shallow alpine lake, perhaps more beautiful than the previous ones (hence its name, perhaps!). 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. We are big fans of Wild Zora backpacking meals, especially the beef ones, as they are super natural and healthy. Welcome to Go Wander Wild. See our topo map of the route. 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. 25. r/hiking. Note: We did not visit all of these spots due to timing, but we wanted to! These make for the best overnight spots in the Enchantments overall. 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. 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. Although this is difficult, many people prefer this option to hiking the other direction, which involves a much longer strenuous uphill section of trail. All rights reserved. So on September 14, with fully loaded packs, we headed into the Enchantments! The. Since youll be at a higher elevation, the nights may get cool. Before setting out on this trip, make sure you are physically ready for a strenuous hike through the wilderness! Talk about timing! Your email address will not be published. The most popular day hike in the Enchantments leads to a breathtaking blue glacial lake right underneath Aasgard Pass. Winning is completely up to luck, which is the hard part of the lottery system. Local groups often provide introductory courses on backpacking and camping, which would be good practice before embarking on an Enchantments trip. Colchuck: One of the most popular day hikes in Washington is Colchuck Lake. Rating. With a large b, Our FAVORITE things we did in Mrida, Mexico! I read a review that said it was really steep. The peaks look like a child drew them; all fairy tale jags and triangles." Youll pass through dense forests, blankets of wildflowers, and high-elevation mountain passes to reach an otherworldly tree-less environment filled only with ancient rocks molded by wind and water. The hike is a mixture of a regular dirt trail and rock scrambling. The Enchantments live up to the hype and dazzle hikers willing to overcome the elevation gain needed to visit this high alpine paradise. 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. Permits and permit information is available on the Recreation.gov Portal. 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. On a journey to Alaska in @brisketthevan 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. You may be able to find a ride back to the Stuart Lake trailhead from someone else completing their hike, but for overnight trips, most people leave a car at both trailheads. Interestingly (and weirdly), many wild animals are attracted to the salts in urine and actually seek it out. Early Summer While hiking in June still requires a permit, you run the risk of the trail being heavily covered in snow. 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. Whitney in CA as a day hike. Finally, although it sounds funny at first, hitch-hiking is another good option. Anytime! 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. Everything you bring in needs to be taken out this includes trash, fruit peels, etc. 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). Those on the longer end tend to linger longer at the lakes. ), dry bag (we always carry one with us for our valuables in case of rain), bear canister (to properly store your food), toilet kit: toilet paper, small shovel, bag for packing out TP, hand sanitizer, camp chairs (we love our Crazy Creek chairs), battery pack (if you are relying on your phone), dehydrated meals (we like making our own backpacking meals with dehydrated ingredients, but you can pick up a decent variety at most outdoor stores). But where do you start? The lakes clear, blue (and freeeezing cold!) Once you ascend the Enchantments Core, youll be able to enjoy the spectacular scenery without constant exertion. The descent from here is long and tedious, and the large decline in elevation challenges most hikers. This trail gains a modest amount of elevation, at 2300 feet, but this is just the beginning of the hike. Before embarking on your adventure, please review theLeave No Trace principlesto ensure you leave every place better than you found it, so that others can enjoy these beautiful places for many years to come!These seven principles include planning ahead and preparing, hiking and camping on durable surfaces, disposing of waste properly (pack out what you pack in! Cathole TrowelNature may call during your trip and when it does, youll need a cathole trowel! The sights are spectacular, with views of surrounding peaks and Colchuck Lake dwarfed into a gleaming blue jewel far below. Its a good idea to pack bear spray just to be safe. Nestled in the Cascade Mountains, the Enchantments is full of alpine lakes, rocky peaks, larches, mountain goats, and incredible views. Adding to the challenge, the descent is often more demanding than the ascent, since the uneven footing strains the legs. Adam, Kathryn, & Kona The main path stays to the left of the waterfall but is not immediately next to the left rock cliffs. A rainy day at Rune Lake (Perfection Lake) in September. Many consider it one of the most beautiful areas of the state. 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! 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 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?! Mileage: 20ish, 4600 Elevation gain/ 6000 elevation loss. 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. However, its worth the effort! Day-to-day, the weather can be unpredictable. However difficult the climb up the pass, you will be rewarded with a campsite within the core zone of the Enchantments, next to the lakes with the highest elevation along the trail, surrounded by granite and lichen-covered rocks. We hope you snag a permit! But once you get up Aasgard, you have an alpine lake filled playground to call home for the night. July and August are the most popular months, but we loved seeing the larches change colors at the end of September (even though the weather was riskier!). Hiking the Enchantments takes you through a variety of diverse terrain, which can be roughly broken down into three sections. The Alpine Lakes Wilderness named "The Enchantments" draws explorers from all over the world. See some of our recommended stops below! This ethereal landscape of lakes, basins, and rugged peaks is a delightful place to hike through. To avoid these food thieves when camping or hiking through, youll want to keep your food in an animal-proof container. Yay, congrats! Colchuck Lake: Stuart Lake Trailhead to first view of the lake4.2 miles (one way)2,200 ft elevation gain. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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! Hiking the Enchantments is one of the most memorable PNW experiences. Through-hiking the Enchantments in one day will challenge and reward you, but it's not for everyone. Overview of the Enchantments Hike These statistics are for the thru-hike from Stuart/Colchuck Lake Trailhead to the 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. If you do not get a permit during the permit window, or happen to be visiting outside of that window, there is a small chance you can hike in the area during other times of the year, but you will likely encounter a lot of snow. Positive Elev. We only recommend products we truly love, actually use during our adventures, and think you can benefit from too! While we recommend bringing everything from our backpacking packing list, there are a handful of items that were especially nice to have with us! Its a bit of a pain to carry, but worth it to avoid any mishaps with wildlife. The below table is the monthly average temperatures for Leavenworth. To mitigate the heat, it is suggested that you start hiking early in the day and aim to arrive at your evening campsite before midday. 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. Dont be fooled that you are reaching the end here, even though you are leaving the lake basin! If you get lucky, you have until March 31 to accept your permit, otherwise those do become available to the public. And she got permits! Bonus: during the tail end of the month and into October, the foliage turns to a beautiful vibrant yellow-orange! 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. Its not at all uncommon for other hikers to help with shuttling! Even if you dont see other hikers, there are probably other people who can hear your music. We spent hours doing this one day and it saved us from being bored as we were cooped up in our tent! Please dont bury TP; pack it in, pack it out. It is a great option if you have been to Colchuck Lake before and hate the idea of Aasgard Pass! However, weve seen young children complete it, so it could make a great family excursion! Bear hangs are not recommended, as there are not good trees to implement a proper bear hang to keep food away from wildlife. We were so thankful we brought layers as we froze during the 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! The best strategy is to keep your distance as much as possible. ), only experienced and fit hikers who are very confident in their abilities should attempt it. day hikes near Leavenworth. However, camping and hiking in the Enchantments is well worth all the effort! Our personal recommendation for the best time to hike the Enchantments is September. A lot of people were doing this and it is allowed. As an Amazon Associate, Small Town Washington earns from qualifying purchases. Redwood National Park in California - (https://youtu.be . You can also choose an alternate leader. 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. For most hikers, this is the hardest day hike they've ever done. 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. 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! 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. Read More. Most hikers start from Stuart Lake, and we recommend this direction as well. While we did not get lucky, that method will increase your chances. Here you will also encounter larches, the iconic coniferous tree with deciduous needles that turn bright yellow before they drop for the winter. In early September, Mrs. 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. Starting at Stuart / Colchuck Lake trailhead means you climb 4,549 ft and descend 6,688 ft. Overview of the Enchantments Hike Length of Time: 8 to 15 hours. At this time, applicants must choose an exit date and provide payment for the permits. Were Adam, Kathryn, and Kona, an adventurous married couple (+ pup!) 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. September 8, 2016. Sign up for our newsletter and well send you insider information and helpful tips about hiking, camping, and all things outdoor adventures! The map below shows the area that make up the Enchantments. Day 4: Hike out through Snow Lake. In this video, we provide a complete day hiking guide so you can complete the. Then, youd likely get a long rambling list of epic places weve been or those were itching to visit. The first frost usually comes in mid-October. They have two parking lots in this area (the first one is for Eightmile and next one is for Stuart/Colchuck), as well as an overnight only parking area for those with overnight permits. This is what we planned to do, but Mother Nature had other ideas. 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. This is where we parked our van because we thought we would exit the trail this way. If you do not get a permit through the lottery, there is still hope! And any other tips on some good campsites? 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. View more hiking details on Washington Trails Association for both Colchuck Lake and the whole Enchantments enchilada. However, our friends had to park on the side of the road. After getting b, Our beautiful home in Mrida! Some borderline masochistic types will choose to hike or trail run the 19-mile one-way route in a single day. 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. Hike these statistics are for the winter 13 posts - 1 through 13 ( of 13 total ) 24! Hikers start from Stuart Lake Trailhead heads up Prusik Pass big fans Wild! 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Email, and we recommend this direction as well in Snow this intersection, then follow dirt! Lake Trailhead to the salts in urine and actually seek it out - 1 through (! Highest elevation point on the steep and rocky terrain runners to about 15 for reasonably fit hikers who are confident! We are big fans of Wild Zora backpacking meals, especially the beef ones as... Thankful we brought layers as we were so thankful we brought layers as we during! Wild animals are attracted to the public camping, and website in video! Bury TP ; pack it out gain/ 6000 elevation loss challenges most hikers this time, must...