Mid-July through early October is the best season for hiking the Enchantments. It'll vary depending on how many breaks are taken for how long and if you can trail-run parts of it. Thanks for the ideas! I'm a decent hiker but some of the bouldering is more . This was our base camp from where we would climb the steep Crystal Creek valley and . Whitney in CA as a day hike. Bring rain entertainmentOne of the best things we did was download Netflix and books in case it rained. Our first time, we were lucky enough to score camping permits and spend a few amazing days in this slice of paradise. We coordinated with two friends (Yvonne and Jeffrey) on the dates we wanted, zones we wanted to apply for, and other logistics. But similar to Eightmile/Caroline, this permit is much easier to get! There are five permit zones: Core Enchantment, Snow Lake, Colchuck Lake, Stuart Lake, and the Eightmile/Caroline zone. 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. The Enchantments are one of the most enchanting (sorry, we had to!) But we couldnt miss the opportunity to go, so we committed to the permits and figured we would make it all work. Enchantments Hike Specs: Length: 23.6 mi Elevation gain: 5,003 ft Route type: Point to point If you arent up to completing the entire thru-hike, there are multiple shorter trails in the Enchantments. Weve gathered our 21 favorite Washington State hikes here, including hikes of all levels, to get you prepped for tackling the Enchantments hike! 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 . When you apply, you select your entry date and location and pay a $10 non-refundable application fee. Are you planning on carrying them the entire way? However, you obviously cant rely on or plan around hitch-hiking and not everyone is comfortable with it. February 1, 2022. The trail through the Enchantments is 18 miles, one-way, with additional side trails to explore the surrounding lakes. Thanks! No clue if this is beneficial but it does feel like it's getting easier. A hike through the Enchantments is a very strenuous hike. Distance: 19.25 miles (31 km) Difficulty: Extremely strenuous Total Elevation Gain: 5,500 feet (1,675 meters) Total Elevation Loss: 7,000 feet (2,133 meters) Not sure where to start? I know prime time for the Enchantments is late September, when the larches are out and the lakes are all melted, but there's something sort of magic about the place under snow, too. 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! Each campsite listed has a wilderness toilet for your use and to preserve the natural beauty of the area. The best chances of obtaining a permit are to pick dates earlier or later in the season and avoid major holidays. But the best partshe got six permits, which meant that Yvonne, Jeffrey, Adam, and myself could all go with her and her boyfriend Jackson! The best strategy is to keep your distance as much as possible. Hello from the Florida Keys! It is mostly just super bumpy, rocky, and steep. Up is easier than down, especially at the beginning of a long hike! This is what we planned to do, but Mother Nature had other ideas. And after you eat dinner, make sure to go grab some ice cream from Whistlepunk! 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. Depending on snow conditions, you may also want to bring gaiters to protect your boots from getting filled with snow. 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. ), 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). Some links throughout this site are affiliate links. This is actually the highest elevation point on the entire trail, so from here, the rest of the hike is mostly downhill. The Traverse runs through the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, and as you might guessit passes by a stunning array of glacial-fed lakes. Mile 7: The next campsites are located just below the Upper Enchantment Lakes just before the trail descends down the ridge. The Enchantments are one of the most enchanting (sorry, we had to!) Finally, although it sounds funny at first, hitch-hiking is another good option. 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. If you are not comfortable rock scrambling, this hike may not be the best fit for you. Pin this blog post to prep for your trip! 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. To avoid these food thieves when camping or hiking through, youll want to keep your food in an animal-proof container. The lakes and rocks will be melted off, allowing you to fully see them. Most backpackers choose to visit during this window. It is one of our favorite Washington memories and we cannot wait to experience it again someday! 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. ), most of the high alpine terrain is still covered in snow and the lakes are frozen. The trail through the Enchantments is also very rocky and uneven, further increasing the difficulty of the hike. All rights reserved. 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?! Some particularly adventurous skiers and snowshoers attempt the trail during the winter, but thats only advised for very experienced winter sports enthusiasts. With your permit you will receive special parking permits for each of the trailhead, allowing you to park in designated spots for permitees. 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. Having said that, dont let the challenge dissuade you! CRAZY! Unlike grizzlies, black bears are rarely aggressive, but its still best to take precautions. This campsite location puts you in a great position to finish the hike the next day and return home. 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. : 5814 ft. For most hikers, this is the hardest day hike they've ever done. Looking up from Leprechaun Lake: My dad: The descent from here is long and tedious, and the large decline in elevation challenges most hikers. Always maintain a very safe distance from wildlife, and take care of your business well away from the trail and campsites! https://linktr.ee/kraig00:00 Hiking Aasgard Pass in the Enchantments4:29 Leavenworth Bavarian Village5:46 Hiking Guide and Behind the Scenes However, camping and hiking in the Enchantments is well worth all the effort! If you are cooking in the alpine, research proper techniques for cleaning pots and pans. And our favorite way to celebrate? Regardless of the weather you will need to be prepared for fluctuating temperatures and potential storms. Website built with love byDreamworthy Design. THE ENCHANTMENTS TRAIL BREAKDOWN. So on September 14, with fully loaded packs, we headed into the Enchantments! The Enchantments are an absolutely amazing alpine wonderland located in central Washington state. This trail winds through a beautiful wilderness area that many other hikes enjoy. Since the Enchantments hike is a point to point trail, its necessary to consider transportation logistics. The zone is named after Snow Lake, the final lake before you climb up into the Core zone. The summer temperatures drop (it occasionally reaches a scorching 100 degrees in July and August!) Stuart: The Stuart zone is named after Lake Stuart, which is a 9 mile round trip hike. To overnight between May and October, however, a lottery permit is required. The Enchantments live up to the hype and dazzle hikers willing to overcome the elevation gain needed to visit this high alpine paradise. Nestled in the Cascade Mountains, the Enchantments is full of alpine lakes, rocky peaks, larches, mountain goats, and incredible views. The Enchantments is a region in Washington, just 15 miles southwest of Leavenworth, a super cute Bavarian village town. Most hikers start from Stuart Lake, and we recommend this direction as well. These campsites are located after the beginning of the steepest descent on the trail, a great Enchantments camping location to rest your knees for the continued descent during the next day. While we did not get lucky, that method will increase your chances. 19K views 1 year ago THE ENCHANTMENTS The Enchantments Hike is the most beautiful hike in all of Washington. Talisman Lake See our topo map of the route. Mile 8: Just below Inspiration Lake is another group of campsites. 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. Youre all packed and now its time to start the hike! Additionally, this is where you'll get to do some off-trail excursions. 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 Explore the most popular trails in my list Enchantments Hiking with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. Most people prefer to backpack in the Enchantments during the summer months, to enjoy the clear blue lakes and granite rocks. I started out building the ability to walk 5-7 miles without flagging, then practiced climbing up steep hills. Then, youd likely get a long rambling list of epic places weve been or those were itching to visit. Although its rare for them to be aggressive, weve heard of instances where mother goats have attacked hikers trying to protect their kids. The main path stays to the left of the waterfall but is not immediately next to the left rock cliffs. Christie is Yvonnes friend, who I had met before, and happened to enter the lottery the day before it closed. Permits. The permits for the Enchantments area are divided into zones. water is almost as impressive as the backdrop: the jagged and dramatic Dragontail peak. The summer temperatures drop (it occasionally reaches a scorching 100 degrees in July and August!) 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! 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. 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! Check out our 37 favorite hikes in Washington! The permit season for the Enchantments is between May 15 and October 31. The first frost usually comes in mid-October. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Here, just east of Leavenworth in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness and reachable only on foot, are the Enchantments. In fact, people have died doing so from falling into crevasses or waterfall holes. And do it on a hot daya record-breaking hot day is even better. Join. Were Adam, Kathryn, and Kona, an adventurous married couple (+ pup!) Viewing 13 posts - 1 through 13 (of 13 total) Jun 24, 2014 at 7:44 am #1318302. 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. Cathole TrowelNature may call during your trip and when it does, youll need a cathole trowel! Overview of the Enchantments Hike Length of Time: 8 to 15 hours. My backpack weighed 34 lbs at the start for three nights in the Snow Lakes Zone. However, since these are averages it is best to be prepared for a wide range of temperatures during your trip. It should either be thoroughly buried in a cat hole or placed in plastic bags and packed out. However, we highly encourage bringing a ziploc bag or trash bag to keep your toilet paper waste.There were also toilets near the campsites, but they are literally just a wood box with a hole and not much privacy. It is important that you choose a designated campsite to help preserve the fragile alpine vegetation in the lake basin. There are usually more people present than permits, so they have to draw names, which occurs at 7:45 AM. Dates: September 2nd- 5th 2016 Location: Leavenworth, Washington. The Snow Lakes trailhead is 4 miles down this road on the right, a signed parking lot immediately off the road. One awesome thing about this permit is that you can camp in any of the zones, which gives you a lot of flexibility in your trip! Winning is completely up to luck, which is the hard part of the lottery system. The ideal time to hike the Enchantments trail for warm and dry weather is late July and August. Can you drive to the enchantments? 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. Its also nice to see how far you have to your next stop . We have a 22 B+ van. Insider tip: Since these campsites are outside the Core Enchantment zone, theyre easier to obtain and open to groups, rather than just individuals. Adventure joined a group of our friends on a trip up to the Enchantments in Washington. In February I put in the permit application for the enchantments as I heard everyone talking about it. This way, youll knock out most of the elevation gain in the first quarter of the hike. If you use the links provided and make a purchase, we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Understandably, the trail gets busy and snagging an overnight permit is extremely tough. The setting is picture-perfect; however, hiking here in just one day from Stuart Lake is challenging. Elev. There was a catch though: we got Snow Lake permits, not Core permits (If all of this sounds like a foreign language, dont worry, we will explain it all down below!) However, space on the shuttles is limited and they dont always operate on weekdays, so its best to book well in advance. This is the most recent attempt to mitigate the parking shortage at the trailheads. 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?)! I know prime time for the Enchantments is late September, when the larches are out and the lakes are all melted, but there's something sort of magic about the place under snow, too. If there are still advance permits that did not sell, they will also give these away during the walk-up lottery. Another good spot to check out is Yodelin. Both trailheads get really busy, so arrive early! There is little if any cell service available on this trail, and emergency help is far away. (Sa. Matthew H. BPL Member. Four of us applied together and each put the same dates, zones, etc. . 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