But dont worry, if you dont get one, a day hike is still super worth it! 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. And our favorite way to celebrate? When to Hike The Enchantments. 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. 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. 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. Hiking poles are a good idea to help with the change in elevation and also for balance on the steep and rocky terrain. Enchantments Hike Specs: Length: 23.6 mi Elevation gain: 5,003 ft Route type: Point to point Day 4: Hike out through Snow Lake. Everything you bring in needs to be taken out this includes trash, fruit peels, etc. Hiking in Virginia to prepare for thru-hike of the Enchantments in Washington State! The sights are spectacular, with views of surrounding peaks and Colchuck Lake dwarfed into a gleaming blue jewel far below. There are so many spots youll want to sit and relish the view! Your email address will not be published. We recommend this RAVPower Charger, which has two charging ports! 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. Mile 7: The next campsites are located just below the Upper Enchantment Lakes just before the trail descends down the ridge. After you finish your hike, its time to celebrate! Here is a sample packing list for your trip, More Hiking: 21 Bucket List Hikes in Washington State, More North Cascades: 15 Best Hikes in North Cascades National Park, Waterfall Hikes: 11 Best Waterfalls in Washington State + Hikes to Find Them, Hiking Near Seattle: 11 Best Day Hikes Near Seattle. Note: in 2019 they reduced the number of permits due to wildfire damage. 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. While taking pictures and enjoying the company, you will need to keep your distance to keep yourself and the animals safe. The descent from here is long and tedious, and the large decline in elevation challenges most hikers. This is a steep, bumpy, potholed dirt road (I take my RV down many dirt roads but I wouldn't drive it on this). How late can you hike the Enchantments? There are five total regions: Eightmile/Caroline, Stuart, Colchuck, Core, and Snow. The two trailheads are fortunately only a 30-minute drive apart, so the easiest option is driving two vehicles. Day 1: Hike to Colchuck Lake and set up campDay 2: Hike up Aasgard Pass and find a good camping spot in the Core. 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. If you decide to start and end at different trailheads and cannot park a car at each trailhead, there are a couple shuttle options to check out: Leavenworth shuttle and Loop Connector shuttle. Winning is completely up to luck, which is the hard part of the lottery system. You can also choose an alternate leader. 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? 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 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. You can also find information on AllTrails (Colchuck Lake, the Enchantments). Adam, Kathryn, & Kona Backpacking the Enchantments is a very strenuous trip that (with the proper training!) After entering the permit lottery in 2018 and failing to get permits, we didnt feel too confident going into the 2019 lottery. Can you drive to the enchantments? The Traverse runs through the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, and as you might guessit passes by a stunning array of glacial-fed lakes. The Snow Lake trailhead is near a large parking lot next to the creek. If there are still advance permits that did not sell, they will also give these away during the walk-up lottery. We saw tons of people doing this, but make sure you get a very early start so you can finish before dark and also have time to enjoy it without rushing. The map below shows the area that make up the Enchantments. As an Airbnb Associate, we may earn a commission when you book through our links, at no extra cost to you. You can either try to get a walk up permit (covered above) or day hike it (covered below). To day hike in the Enchantments, only a NW Forest Pass is needed. This trail winds through a beautiful wilderness area that many other hikes enjoy. There are usually more people present than permits, so they have to draw names, which occurs at 7:45 AM. Yay, congrats! ), but we made it down the road in one piece. This Pacific Northwest travel blog is dedicated to exploring the best of the region, with a special emphasis on Washingtons small towns, national parks, and many incredible weekend getaways. 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. But where do you start? Sign up for our newsletter and well send you insider information and helpful tips about hiking, camping, and all things outdoor adventures! Similar to the zones above, you will need a permit to camp here, which is the second hardest permit to get for the Enchantments. 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. We hope to inform, inspire, and empower you to get outside, see this incredible world, and find your WILD! What awaits visitors: -Nearby Bavarian-styled village -High alpine lakes carved in granite -Curious mountain goats and their kids -Dramatic peaks -Golden larches come fall Our personal recommendation for the best time to hike the Enchantments is September. Dont be fooled that you are reaching the end here, even though you are leaving the lake basin! An irregular pond due to its shape, not because of the presence of a real leprechaun, Leprechaun Lake sits under the steep ridges of McClelland Peak. 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. Once you reach Colchuck Lake, the trail proceeds around the edge of the lake, passing by the campsites until it crosses the boulder field on the other side of the lake and then begins the steep passage up Aasgard Pass. Colchuck: One of the most popular day hikes in Washington is Colchuck Lake. See some of our recommended stops below! Its not at all uncommon for other hikers to help with shuttling! Hiker from Olympia The trail The Enchantments trail consists of the Stuart Lake Trail, Colchuck Lake Trail and Snow Lakes Trail. ), 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. 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) Here, just east of Leavenworth in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness and reachable only on foot, are the Enchantments. 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?! As an Amazon Associate, Small Town Washington earns from qualifying purchases. With FOOD! The trailheads for both are located off Icicle Creek Road. In early September, Mrs. Best 2-Person Tents for Camping & Backpacking, 17 Best Hikes in Capitol Reef National Park, Utah, Dispersed Camping: What is It & How to Find Dispersed Campsites, 25 Hiking Lunch Ideas to Keep You Fed on the Trail, Cracker Lake Trail Guide for Glacier National Park, Tips for Eco Camping: A Guide for the Environmentally Conscious Camper, navigation: physical map, phone* with offline maps downloaded (or both), layers (here is a great resource if youre wondering, sun protection: sunscreen, hat, sun glasses, water bottles and bladder for your Camelbak, way to purify your water (we used our Grayl water bottles on this trail and they were fantastic! Comment below if you have questions about hiking the Enchantments in Washington state and well do our best to get back to you! The summer temperatures drop (it occasionally reaches a scorching 100 degrees in July and August!) Required fields are marked *. Were Adam, Kathryn, and Kona, an adventurous married couple (+ pup!) THE ENCHANTMENTS TRAIL BREAKDOWN. It is a great option if you have been to Colchuck Lake before and hate the idea of Aasgard Pass! 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. However, dont count on this as a guarantee it is far better to try to secure an Enchantments permit in advance. 14 days ago. One of the most scenic hikes in the region, this hike passes several waterfalls and glacial lakes before climbing to Snow Lake. 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! Nestled in the Cascade Mountains, the Enchantments is full of alpine lakes, rocky peaks, larches, mountain goats, and incredible views. I'd say starting at the Snow Lakes trailhead, hiking down and out Aasgard Pass to the Colchuck trailhead, is easier than the other way around. Up is easier than down, especially at the beginning of a long hike! We have a leisurely morning, then set out on a meandering dayhike up through the snow into the Upper Core. It is one of our favorite Washington memories and we cannot wait to experience it again someday! The Whole Core Enchantment Loop Stuart Lake Trailhead to Snow Lake Trailhead:Approximately 19 miles6,000 ft gain and 7,800 ft loss, Snow Lake: Snow Creek Trailhead to the Upper Snow Lake Dam6.5 miles (one way + another 1.5 miles to the far end of the lake)3,800 ft elevation gain. For a challenging side adventure, there is a trail that branches off near Perfection Lake and heads up Prusik Pass. Some particularly adventurous skiers and snowshoers attempt the trail during the winter, but thats only advised for very experienced winter sports enthusiasts. Check out our the enchantments hiking selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. 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. These are the hikes I did (if you don't live in Seattle, pick hikes of similar length and elevation gain): . Adventure joined a group of our friends on a trip up to the Enchantments in Washington. Redwood National Park California. Negative Elev. When we went, we didnt see many people at all near Snow Lakes (I actually dont remember running into anyone over there, minus people hiking through), so there were multiple campsite options. This area is called Aasgard Pass, and it's a lung-straining 2,000-ft climb in just under a mile. If you are cooking in the alpine, research proper techniques for cleaning pots and pans. , the Enchantments in Washington is Colchuck Lake before and hate the of. 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