It'll vary depending on how many breaks are taken for how long and if you can trail-run parts of it. September 8, 2016. Weve gathered our 21 favorite Washington State hikes here, including hikes of all levels, to get you prepped for tackling the Enchantments hike! Our friends all brought Mountain House meals and loved theirs too! Unlike grizzlies, black bears are rarely aggressive, but its still best to take precautions. Even when youre not tackling the pass, its necessary to pay attention to your footing and maintain consistent stamina through the strenuous ups and downs. Weve done multi-day hikes in the area (after obtaining the illustrious Enchantments Wilderness Permit), and weve also thru-hiked this 19-mile trail in one day. If you get lucky, you have until March 31 to accept your permit, otherwise those do become available to the public. By mid-morning in late February 1964, four snowshoers began traveling up the Ingalls Creek trail, heading for a campsite where Crystal Creek meets the main drainage of Ingalls Creek, seven miles up valley. Anytime! Up is easier than down, especially at the beginning of a long hike! 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. I'm a decent hiker but some of the bouldering is more . The Enchantments don't come easy. As you proceed down the trail, the next and final lake of the Enchantments is Lake Viviane. Some links in this post may be affiliate links. PS: the trailheads all have bathrooms! (Sa. External chargerThis is a must for a multi-day backpacking trip! Soon, the forest reappears and its a foot-battering descent down to the Snow Lake trailhead. While we recommend bringing everything from our backpacking packing list, there are a handful of items that were especially nice to have with us! Those on the shorter end trail run a portion of the trail. Located in Central Washington near the small town of Leavenworth, this piece of the Cascade Mountain range is as spectacular as the name implies. Another option is tapping into local hiking groups. However, weve seen young children complete it, so it could make a great family excursion! 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. A lot of people were doing this and it is allowed. While its entirely possible to hike the trail in a single day (remember, weve done it! This is a very popular area for backpacking, camping, and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. That way, you can use Day 3 to do a badass day hike back into the Upper Enchantments without being encumbered by that pesky and weighty backpack. Were Adam, Kathryn, and Kona, an adventurous married couple (+ pup!) However, since these are averages it is best to be prepared for a wide range of temperatures during your trip. ), 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. Looking up from Leprechaun Lake: My dad: See our topo map of the route. The best time to go hiking in the Enchantments is mid-July through early October. As for toilet paper, Leave No Trace says use only plain, white, non-perfumed brands. Overview of the Enchantments Hike These statistics are for the thru-hike from Stuart/Colchuck Lake Trailhead to the Snow Lakes Trailhead. These days experience the least precipitation and are most likely to have clear skies and warm days. Theres some moderate elevation gain through gorgeous old-growth forest and a flat section in a beautiful meadow, before finishing at a stunning lake backed by even more stunning mountains! These permits can be difficult to secure, as most of them are drawn on a lottery. This is a helpful article as I plan my permit asks and hopeful my hike. Hiking through the Enchantments core is beautiful and memorable. This website contains affiliate links from websites such as Amazon.com, Booking.com, and Rentalcars.com. 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. Ambitious day hikers will be richly rewarded for tackling all 20 miles in a day. 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. To help plan your trip, here are the approximate locations of some of the most common campsites along the trail. We were so thankful we brought layers as we froze during the hike. However, camping and hiking in the Enchantments is well worth all the effort! Prusik Peak over Lake Viviane. We spent hours doing this one day and it saved us from being bored as we were cooped up in our tent! Most backpackers choose to visit during this window. It is a great option if you have been to Colchuck Lake before and hate the idea of Aasgard Pass! Before July (and sometimes even into July! 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. Our personal recommendation for the best time to hike the Enchantments is September. Tucked away in a particularly rugged area of Washington, just accessing this beautiful environment takes substantial planning. We arrived at Stuart/Colchuck at 7 AM and got the last overnight permit spot and there were lots of day hikers that were struggling to park. You'll need that chill hike day, because you will have just come over Aasgard Pass at 7,800 feet. Hiking the Enchantments is one of the most memorable PNW experiences. *If you choose to us your phone for navigation, be sure to bring a reliable battery pack to charge your phone. This means that you will start at one trailhead and end your hike at another, without retracing your steps. The best chances of obtaining a permit are to pick dates earlier or later in the season and avoid major holidays. The parking lots have very limited parking even with these designated spots, so it is a good idea to arrive as early as possible. 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. The 18-mile trail through the Enchantment Lakes, up to the high alpine at almost 8,000 feet above sea level, is perhaps the state's most infamous and beloved route. A hike through the Enchantments is a very strenuous hike. October 11, 2021. After getting b, Our beautiful home in Mrida! 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. The Enchantments live up to the hype and dazzle hikers willing to overcome the elevation gain needed to visit this high alpine paradise. The hike is a mixture of a regular dirt trail and rock scrambling. Were glad this helps! This ethereal landscape of lakes, basins, and rugged peaks is a delightful place to hike through. Winning is completely up to luck, which is the hard part of the lottery system. Where did yall set up your tent and take that photo from the inside looking out??? 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. But once you get up Aasgard, you have an alpine lake filled playground to call home for the night. Backpacking the Enchantments is a very strenuous trip that (with the proper training!) Here are some of these hiking courtesies that help improve everyones trip. The trail down to Inspiration Lake is steep the first taste of the downhill you will encounter on the remaining trail. From the Stuart Lake Trailhead, the trail heads first towards Colchuck Lake a 4-mile hike from the trailhead. a little bit of snow on the trail even in early September day hikes near Leavenworth. living on the road in our. Bonus: during the tail end of the month and into October, the foliage turns to a beautiful vibrant yellow-orange! Were talking beautiful wilderness full of clear alpine lakes, granite rocks, and vistas of sharp peaks. 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. After doing the hike, seeing what others have done, and researching the options, here are four of the best options (in our opinion) if you receive a Core or Snow permit. The level of difficulty and sheer distance of the trail mean the best way to experience this area is via a multi-day hike. The trail crosses over a wooden bridge at this point, marking the end of the Enchantment Lakes basin. While youll have no cell phone service, being able to charge your phone to take photos, look at a map, etc is crucial. During warm dry summer days in July and August, you will also need to be prepared for hot afternoons. 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. Was the road to Stuart Lake Trailhead scary or just extremely bumpy? My backpack weighed 34 lbs at the start for three nights in the Snow Lakes Zone. We will only ever recommend products we truly love, actually use during our adventures, and think you can benefit from too! Day 4: Hike out through Colchuck. However, there is no easy way to get there. Sign up to get travel updates, guides, vlogs, and other resources delivered straight to your inbox once a month! Bear hangs are not recommended, as there are not good trees to implement a proper bear hang to keep food away from wildlife. Mile 13.5: If you prefer to travel a litter further on your final day, a few campsites are located near Nada Lake. 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. You will want to make sure you have cars at both trailheads (see The Trailheads section below). Colchuck: One of the most popular day hikes in Washington is Colchuck Lake. 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!). Located in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness of Washington state, this is a wonderland of alpine lakes, jagged mountains, and waterfalls. 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. End: Snow Lakes Trailhead. Its not at all uncommon for other hikers to help with shuttling! Although this is difficult, many people prefer this option to hiking the other direction, which involves a much longer strenuous uphill section of trail. Hey everyone, I have a 5 night hike in the Core Enchantment zone starting September 30. And after you eat dinner, make sure to go grab some ice cream from Whistlepunk! 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. 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. Most people prefer to backpack in the Enchantments during the summer months, to enjoy the clear blue lakes and granite rocks. With FOOD! 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. 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. The smaller creatures in the Enchantments marmots, pikas, marten, squirrels are used to finding human food around backpacks and tents. This informative video shows you how! It is mostly just super bumpy, rocky, and steep. The summer temperatures drop (it occasionally reaches a scorching 100 degrees in July and August!) Since the Enchantments hike is a point to point trail, its necessary to consider transportation logistics. 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. ! This beautiful glacial gem is the perfect spot for a snack, swim, and at least a few minutes of relaxation from here, things are going to get much harder. Mileage: 20ish, 4600 Elevation gain/ 6000 elevation loss. Want to discover more trails in Washington? More than a dozen high alpine lakes carved in granite. While we did not get lucky, that method will increase your chances. Mile 11: The shores of the Snow Lakes are the last large group of campsites. Can you drive to the enchantments? The elevation gain and loss are large, meaning that you will be working hard at most points during your hike. and permits are also a little easier to come by. In either direction, the trail is stunning, offering views across the Cascades and passing by numerous bright-blue glacial lakes and chiseled mountain peaks. Although it may look too formidable to even attempt, the beautiful craggy peak behind Colchuck Lake is where the Enchantments hike continues. Hiking with music can be fun but it is good practice to use headphones so that other hikers dont have to listen to it. The Enchantments Thru-Hike point-to-point Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Hiked on 10/9/2021 Start: Stuart Lake Trailhead Destination: Snow Lakes Trailhead View Hike Track View Gallery Distance: 18.12 mi. The Snow Lake trailhead is off of Icicle Creek Road and has a decent parking lot. After you finish your hike, its time to celebrate! : 1312 ft. the enchantments hiking washington day hike 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 Colchuck. 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