In the winter, the Enchantments is buried in deep snowpack and is inaccessible to anyone without serious mountaineering experience. The best times to hike in the Enchantments are lake summer and early fall. ! Comment below if you have questions about hiking the Enchantments in Washington state and well do our best to get back to you! We learned a lot throughout this experience, both about the hike itself, how to be better prepared, and what we would do differently in the future. (Sa. But similar to Eightmile/Caroline, this permit is much easier to get! It'll vary depending on how many breaks are taken for how long and if you can trail-run parts of it. For this blog post, we will specifically be covering the Colchuck, Core, and Snow zones, which is what makeup the super popular portion of the Enchantments. We highly recommend getting the Alltrails app so you can see the map (even without cell service) and make sure youre going the right way. Perfect for swimming and relaxing, the lake is accessed via a steady climb, mostly through shady forest. When to Hike The Enchantments. Note: We did not visit all of these spots due to timing, but we wanted to! 14 days ago. The sights are spectacular, with views of surrounding peaks and Colchuck Lake dwarfed into a gleaming blue jewel far below. This was our base camp from where we would climb the steep Crystal Creek valley and . 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! There are numerous epic campsites along the trail; however, where you can camp overnight depends strictly on the permit you receive. This is a helpful article as I plan my permit asks and hopeful my hike. The Enchantments as a whole is gorgeous, but there are a few spots that you should especially check out and spend some time at. - Stock Photos provided by our partner Depositphotos, Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, Hi yall! Plan your hike for mid-July to mid-September, and check both trip reports and weather forecasts before getting started. Adventure joined a group of our friends on a trip up to the Enchantments in Washington. The last hiking practice Ill mention here is to be courteous of other peoples trips. 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. Rating. Its a good idea to pack bear spray just to be safe. places in Washington and in this guide were 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 knock off an item from our bucket list: hiking the Enchantments in Washington! Dont be fooled that you are reaching the end here, even though you are leaving the lake basin! 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. The mountain goats in particular are habituated to visitors. Adam, Kathryn, & Kona Adding to the challenge, the descent is often more demanding than the ascent, since the uneven footing strains the legs. But once you get up Aasgard, you have an alpine lake filled playground to call home for the night. Once winners are notified, theres actually a second step youre required to go back into Recreation.gov and claim and pay for your permit, plus provide your intended exit date. The weather in the mountains can change quickly, so always bring a rainjacket just in case! Tucked away in a particularly rugged area of Washington, just accessing this beautiful environment takes substantial planning. Pin this blog post to prep for your trip! Although it may look too formidable to even attempt, the beautiful craggy peak behind Colchuck Lake is where the Enchantments hike continues. 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! The ideal time to hike the Enchantments trail for warm and dry weather is late July and August. Christie is Yvonnes friend, who I had met before, and happened to enter the lottery the day before it closed. As you descend, you will reach Snow Lakes and Nada Lake, both with a variety of campgrounds for the weary hiker. Can you drive to the enchantments? However, obtaining wilderness permits has become increasingly competitive in recent years, which throws in another logistical obstacle. Hiker from Olympia The trail The Enchantments trail consists of the Stuart Lake Trail, Colchuck Lake Trail and Snow Lakes Trail. Starting at Stuart / Colchuck Lake trailhead means you climb 4,549 ft and descend 6,688 ft. But dont worry, if you dont get one, a day hike is still super worth it! Talisman Lake At this time, applicants must choose an exit date and provide payment for the permits. In October, unpredictable snowstorms start to roll into the higher elevations, making the trail dangerous. Are you planning on carrying them the entire way? Youll share the first part of the trail into the Enchantments with many fellow hikers since its one of the best (and closest!) Read More. Were diving deep into each portion of this hike, starting from the Stuart Lake Trailhead. ), 6 Great Places to Celebrate Christmas in Washington, 21 World-Class Weekend Getaways in Washington State, Microspikes & gaiters, if hiking when there might be snow. The Yucatn Peninsula is the heart of the ancient, The cenotes tour we booked through @airbnbexperien. Always maintain a very safe distance from wildlife, and take care of your business well away from the trail and campsites! Looking up from Leprechaun Lake. These sites are perfect if you have two nights on the trail or if you get a late start the first day. Day and overnight visitors need to check the weather and be prepared for all weather types throughout the season. The division of 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. Soon, the forest reappears and its a foot-battering descent down to the Snow Lake trailhead. Toughest thing I have done. Almost immediately beyond the lake, the trail becomes littered with large boulders and scree, making a bit of route-finding a sudden necessity. On average, 10 active hours for typical hiking speed of 1000 ft/hr. They headed up to Lake Stewart and up to Asgard Pass. Drive 4 miles past the Snow Lakes parking lot until you reach FS Road 7601. There are five unique areas amongst the Enchantments zone which covers about 75 square miles. The challenging 20-mile trail requires advanced planning, so weve broken it down in a comprehensive hiking guide. So I'm also going to try to do the Enchantments this year. Most hikers start from Stuart Lake, and we recommend this direction as well. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. The only way to visit the Enchantments is by hiking and it is no easy task. This can be a good place to plan for a night of rest if downhill hiking presents difficulty. 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. 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! For a challenging side adventure, there is a trail that branches off near Perfection Lake and heads up Prusik Pass. 19K views 1 year ago THE ENCHANTMENTS The Enchantments Hike is the most beautiful hike in all of Washington. 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. Whenever you decide to continue on, be prepared for continuation of the rocky trail. 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. Most people prefer to backpack in the Enchantments during the summer months, to enjoy the clear blue lakes and granite rocks. . Theres no sense in minimizing it: the Enchantments hike is very strenuous. In fact, this stunning mountain landscape has been termed the "Crown Jewel of Washington Hiking" by the Washington Trails Association, the leading expert on hiking in Washington.And after doing the full thru-hike of the Enchantments ourselves, we couldn't agree more: it is absolutely incredible. 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. This is the route we did. October 11, 2021. Insider tip: Since these campsites are outside the Core Enchantment zone, theyre easier to obtain and open to groups, rather than just individuals. Dont worry, not all hope is lost. 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. Core: The most popular (and coveted) area is the Core zone, which is where the majority of the lakes reside. Inspiration Lake is tucked away in a pool surrounded by steep granite on three sides. In early September, Mrs. 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? A lot of people were doing this and it is allowed. At one end, the hike begins at the Stuart Lake Trailhead. Wander around the Core a bitDay 3: Spend all day exploring the Core. The parking lots have very limited parking even with these designated spots, so it is a good idea to arrive as early as possible. Thanks! That is awesome! Even if you do, you cannot take a 2 year old up Asgard Pass. 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. Snow: This is the zone we camped in during our time in the Enchantments. Website built with love byDreamworthy Design. See some of our recommended stops below! The Enchantments live up to the hype and dazzle hikers willing to overcome the elevation gain needed to visit this high alpine paradise. The first campsites are at Lake Colchuck, about four miles into the hike. Overview. The setting is picture-perfect; however, hiking here in just one day from Stuart Lake is challenging. Although its only 4.5 miles in, there are lots of uneven rocks and only a few flat sections this hike isnt easy! Water filterWhile we have a pretty large Camelbak bladder to store water, it wasnt enough water for a three day hike. If you only want to see the Core, this would be a good option for you! While its entirely possible to hike the trail in a single day (remember, weve done it! 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. Widely regarded as the crown jewel of hiking in Washington, this trail exceeds even the wildest of superlatives. We are big fans of Wild Zora backpacking meals, especially the beef ones, as they are super natural and healthy. hiking the Enchantments, WA. Many avoid the Permit hassle doing the Enchantments as a long day hike. . The trail steadily climbs through dense forest, with increasingly picturesque views of the valley below. The median time is 10 to 12 hours. However, weve seen young children complete it, so it could make a great family excursion! ), most of the high alpine terrain is still covered in snow and the lakes are frozen. Hiking in North Cascades National Park in Washington. ), but with backpacking packs on, it can be pretty brutal at times. If youre hiking the Enchantments by yourself or dont have two vehicles, there are other options. In fact, people have died doing so from falling into crevasses or waterfall holes. I booked this time as I wanted the beautiful golden larches. We bought a new water filter for the trip and the water filtered super fastit was amazing! And our favorite way to celebrate? The Enchantments are one of the most enchanting (sorry, we had to!) In this video, we provide a complete day hiking guide so you can complete the. The trail continues to be rocky and steep and several sections require scrambling using both hands and feet. To preserve the experience of other hikers and the wilderness character of the trail, it is important to follow common hiking etiquettes. 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 . Our friends all brought Mountain House meals and loved theirs too! After you finish your hike, its time to celebrate! Mile 7: The next campsites are located just below the Upper Enchantment Lakes just before the trail descends down the ridge. Depending on your fitness and availability, the time for hiking the Enchantments trail varies. We camped probably 1 mile from where you start the hike to the Core from the Snow Lakes area. Sign up to get travel updates, guides, vlogs, and other resources delivered straight to your inbox once a month! Prior experience will help prepare you for the Enchantments hike and make it more fun! This informative video shows you how! This makes travel more difficult and the views an endless sea of white (which is beautiful, just more difficult to hike). 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. If you are looking for an epic day hike, check out our Colchuck Lake trail guide for all the info you need! Please dont bury TP; pack it in, pack it out. With shimmering alpine lakes, glaciers, rugged mountain peaks, wildflower-dotted meadows, and the ubiquitous mountain goats, this wilderness area has a pristine, untouched beauty that is getting increasingly difficult to find. However, its worth the effort! To help plan your trip, here are the approximate locations of some of the most common campsites along the trail. Regardless of the weather you will need to be prepared for fluctuating temperatures and potential storms. 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. Stock Photos provided by our partner Depositphotos, Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, Hi!. Picturesque views of the ancient, the time for hiking the Enchantments continues! Family excursion mountain goats in particular are habituated to visitors we camped in during our time in the trail... To Asgard Pass is tucked away in a pool surrounded by steep granite three! Spots due to timing, but we wanted to! trail in particularly. The Stuart Lake is challenging exit date and provide payment for the night experience. Call home for the permits 4.5 miles in, pack it out are at Lake Colchuck, about four into., guides, vlogs, and we recommend this direction as well easy task to prep for trip. One of these links, we may earn a small commission at no cost! 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