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. But where do you start? 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. To overnight between May and October, however, a lottery permit is required. In addition to physical preparation, an understanding of wilderness travel and first aid will greatly improve your trip if anything goes wrong. Spread out over a few days, its incredibly rewarding, with once-in-a-lifetime views and experience to match your efforts. Most people prefer to backpack in the Enchantments during the summer months, to enjoy the clear blue lakes and granite rocks. Ive done this as a thru hike, ending at snow lake TH, taking about 14hrs total. The sights are spectacular, with views of surrounding peaks and Colchuck Lake dwarfed into a gleaming blue jewel far below. Hiking the Enchantments means your jaw will drop at every turn. Drop one off at the hikes endpoint, then drive everyone to the starting point. 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. We will only ever recommend products we truly love, actually use during our adventures, and think you can benefit from too! 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. It is mostly just super bumpy, rocky, and steep. 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. Drive 8.4 miles and turn left onto Forest Service Road 7601. Continue reading. If you begin at the lower Snow Creek Trailhead, reverse the numbers. To preserve the experience of other hikers and the wilderness character of the trail, it is important to follow common hiking etiquettes. The best times to hike in the Enchantments are lake summer and early fall. We managed to score a 5 day permit in the snow zone for Aug 30-Sept 3. The Enchantments hike is most commonly completed as a one-way thru-hike since the hike is long and the terrain can be difficult. . Check out our the enchantments hiking selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. The trail crosses over a wooden bridge at this point, marking the end of the Enchantment Lakes basin. 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. Toilet paper must be disposed of properly! 19K views 1 year ago THE ENCHANTMENTS The Enchantments Hike is the most beautiful hike in all of Washington. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy Cookie Policy, 2021 Adventures of A+K. Thanks! As you head down from Isolation and Tranquil Lakes, the terrain changes from the smooth granite rocks to alpine meadows. One of the most scenic hikes in the region, this hike passes several waterfalls and glacial lakes before climbing to Snow Lake. The Enchantments are an absolutely amazing alpine wonderland located in central Washington state. YouTube, Travel Guides, Gear, & FAQs. 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. Finally, although it sounds funny at first, hitch-hiking is another good option. Permits. When to Hike The Enchantments 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. However, there is no easy way to get there. We coordinated with two friends (Yvonne and Jeffrey) on the dates we wanted, zones we wanted to apply for, and other logistics. Early Summer While hiking in June still requires a permit, you run the risk of the trail being heavily covered in snow. Permits: Just outside of the Bavarian town of Leavenworth, the Enchantments are part of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness filled with pristine glacial lakes surrounded by towering granite peaks. In late spring to early summer, the Enchantments core basin is still snow-covered. Hiking with music can be fun but it is good practice to use headphones so that other hikers dont have to listen to it. We bought a new water filter for the trip and the water filtered super fastit was amazing! If you get lucky, you have until March 31 to accept your permit, otherwise those do become available to the public. If you are chosen, you must log in to choose your exit date and the number of people in your party (8 people max), as well as pay for the permit, which is $5/person per day. I'm a decent hiker but some of the bouldering is more . Then, youd likely get a long rambling list of epic places weve been or those were itching to visit. Required fields are marked *. Depending on snow conditions, you may also want to bring gaiters to protect your boots from getting filled with snow. Our friends had some and we were a taddddd jealous when their legs were nice and dry!If its warm out, bring a swimsuit so you can swim in one of the lakes! We hope to inform, inspire, and empower you to get outside, see this incredible world, and find your WILD! Hiking through the Enchantments core is beautiful and memorable. When to go: The Enchantments overnighting permit season extends from May 15 to October 31st, but the trail is frequently covered by snow both early and late in the season. And after you eat dinner, make sure to go grab some ice cream from Whistlepunk! 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. 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. Thankfully Christie applied and was able to bring us along! 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. But the wait, stress, and uncertainty of getting to access this area is worth it!Note: Dogs are not allowed in the Enchantments. Are you planning on carrying them the entire way? The Snow Lake trailhead is off of Icicle Creek Road and has a decent parking lot. 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. Since youll be at a higher elevation, the nights may get cool. Cathole TrowelNature may call during your trip and when it does, youll need a cathole trowel! Plus, Stuart Lake is a couple thousand feet higher than Snow Lakes, so your total elevation gain is lower! Day 1: Hike to Snow Lake and set up campDay 2: Explore the Core area all day and then head back your campsite at Snow LakeDay 3: Hike out through Snow Lake. We hope to inform, inspire, and empower you to get outside and see this world, while doing your part to respect and protect the lands beneath your feet. The Stuart/Colchuck Lake trailhead is down a VERY rough forested road. 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. 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. Both trailheads get really busy, so arrive early! The busy September peak golden larches day we hiked the trail, around 95% of people hiking The Enchantments began at Stuart / Colchuck Lake trailhead and ended at Snow Lake trailhead. To reach the Snow Lakes trailhead to drop a car for your return trip, you will need to head into Leavenworth. Understandably, the trail gets busy and snagging an overnight permit is extremely tough. Obviously, for this, you will need two drivers in your party and two cars! Maybe you'll get lucky and have good weather. Always maintain a very safe distance from wildlife, and take care of your business well away from the trail and campsites! 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. Was the road to Stuart Lake Trailhead scary or just extremely bumpy? 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! Some route-finding is also necessary, as the hike becomes more of a boulder scramble with hands and feet required for balance. Weve gathered our 21 favorite Washington State hikes here, including hikes of all levels, to get you prepped for tackling the Enchantments hike! Join. The summer temperatures drop (it occasionally reaches a scorching 100 degrees in July and August!) 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. On average, 10 active hours for typical hiking speed of 1000 ft/hr. Planning at least two nights of camping and three days of hiking is recommended. 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. ), but with backpacking packs on, it can be pretty brutal at times. by Craig Romano . It is a great option if you have been to Colchuck Lake before and hate the idea of Aasgard Pass! Didnt get a permit? Your email address will not be published. My dad. This is actually the highest elevation point on the entire trail, so from here, the rest of the hike is mostly downhill. After you finish your hike, its time to celebrate! 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. Sounds like you know what you're doing - it will be an adventure. The hike is a mixture of a regular dirt trail and rock scrambling. Overview of the Enchantments Hike These statistics are for the thru-hike from Stuart/Colchuck Lake Trailhead to the Snow Lakes Trailhead. Insider tip: Since these campsites are outside the Core Enchantment zone, theyre easier to obtain and open to groups, rather than just individuals. The trailheads for both are located off Icicle Creek Road. 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. This website contains affiliate links from websites such as Amazon.com, Booking.com, and Rentalcars.com. 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 first frost usually comes in mid-October. 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! Enter: Christie, our Enchantments savior. We are big fans of Wild Zora backpacking meals, especially the beef ones, as they are super natural and healthy. Some links in this post may be affiliate links. Sign up to get travel updates, guides, vlogs, and other resources delivered straight to your inbox once a month! If you click through a link on Small Town Washington, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Depending on your fitness and availability, the time for hiking the Enchantments trail varies. In February I put in the permit application for the enchantments as I heard everyone talking about it. 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. . 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! If you have more time, you wont get bored spending more time in this beautiful area! Up is easier than down, especially at the beginning of a long hike! The division of Enchantments Backpacking Trip. Hi yall! Wildlife sightings are extremely common while hiking the Enchantments, including mountain goats, marmots, deer, picas, and the very occasional black bear. Camping spots are limited, but when possible, put your tent up away from other tents to give other campers privacy. Those on the shorter end trail run a portion of the trail. If you begin at the Stuart Lake Trailhead and go up by way of Colchuck Lake and Aasgard Pass, you'll have 6,000 vertical feet of elevation gain and 7,800 vertical feet of elevation loss. This ethereal landscape of lakes, basins, and rugged peaks is a delightful place to hike through. The setting is picture-perfect; however, hiking here in just one day from Stuart Lake is challenging. water is almost as impressive as the backdrop: the jagged and dramatic Dragontail peak. Heres a quick rundown of each one! While we did not get lucky, that method will increase your chances. It would be reasonable to plan up to 12 hours plus drive time if you want to take. 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 best season to hike to the lakes is summer and early fall, namely late July/August to September/early October. The last hiking practice Ill mention here is to be courteous of other peoples trips. Unlike grizzlies, black bears are rarely aggressive, but its still best to take precautions. However, to go backpacking in the Enchantments between May 15 and October 31, you will need to secure a permit from the US Forest Service. But on March 20, we got the disappointing news that we did not get permits. 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. The Enchantments live up to the hype and dazzle hikers willing to overcome the elevation gain needed to visit this high alpine paradise. But the best partshe got six permits, which meant that Yvonne, Jeffrey, Adam, and myself could all go with her and her boyfriend Jackson! A hike through the Enchantments is a very strenuous hike. The Enchantments is a region in Washington, just 15 miles southwest of Leavenworth, a super cute Bavarian village town. Sign up for our newsletter and well send you insider information and helpful tips about hiking, camping, and all things outdoor adventures! The miles of steep, rocky terrain are relentless and because youre at high elevation, you often have to combat Mother Nature, too. 10 weeks to prepare. Last year, I did the hike up to the summit of Mt. You can either start and end at the same trailhead or start and end at different trailheads depending on the route youre going to take. Welcome to Go Wander Wild. 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. Take a left at this intersection, then follow the dirt road for 4 miles until reaching the Stuart Lake trailhead. But one of the places that would undoubtedly make the list is The Enchantments Wilderness Area. 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