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 . Wander around the Core a bitDay 3: Spend all day exploring the Core. We would love to do this hike again in the future, however, we think we would do it a bit differently. The parking lots have very limited parking even with these designated spots, so it is a good idea to arrive as early as possible. Talk about timing! 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. ), but we made it down the road in one piece. Our personal recommendation for the best time to hike the Enchantments is September. Please see our. HeadlampsHaving a headlamp is not only one of the 10 hiking essentials, but is especially important if you plan to hike for sunrise, or just have to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night. The main reason to day-hike the Enchantments is that doing so means you dont need a hard-to-get camping permit. The lakes and rocks will be melted off, allowing you to fully see them. Day and overnight visitors need to check the weather and be prepared for all weather types throughout the season. The most popular day hike in the Enchantments leads to a breathtaking blue glacial lake right underneath Aasgard Pass. The Alpine Lakes Wilderness named "The Enchantments" draws explorers from all over the world. Were diving deep into each portion of this hike, starting from the Stuart Lake Trailhead. Finally, although it sounds funny at first, hitch-hiking is another good option. The next mile is by far the toughest of the entire trail. Try this 20.5-mile point-to-point trail near Leavenworth, Washington. These sites are perfect if you have two nights on the trail or if you get a late start the first day. 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. 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 25. r/hiking. 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. Don't shower for 3 weeks leading up your hike as a human repellent. 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. 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! Were Adam, Kathryn, and Kona, an adventurous married couple (+ pup!) If youre not very familiar with the Enchantments Wilderness Area, you may be surprised to know that it requires a bit more planning and preparation than simply lacing up your hiking boots and hitting the trail. Mile 11: The shores of the Snow Lakes are the last large group of campsites. The trail through the Enchantments is 18 miles, one-way, with additional side trails to explore the surrounding lakes. Youll share the first part of the trail into the Enchantments with many fellow hikers since its one of the best (and closest!) In early September, Mrs. This is the most ideal route, with a coveted permit for the Core Zone, Day 1: Hike to Colchuck Lake and set up campDay 2: Hike up Aasgard Pass and find a good camping spot in the Core. We had to use our hands for balance as we slooowly clambered up what seemed like a near-vertical route. 19K views 1 year ago THE ENCHANTMENTS The Enchantments Hike is the most beautiful hike in all of Washington. We coordinated with two friends (Yvonne and Jeffrey) on the dates we wanted, zones we wanted to apply for, and other logistics. 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. GOOD TO KNOW: most people who thru-hike the entire Enchantments will start at the Stuart Lake Trailhead and end at the Snow Lake . Are you planning on carrying them the entire way? We camped probably 1 mile from where you start the hike to the Core from the Snow Lakes area. We only recommend products we truly love, actually use during our adventures, and think you can benefit from too! Its a good idea to pack bear spray just to be safe. water is almost as impressive as the backdrop: the jagged and dramatic Dragontail peak. The Enchantments hike is most commonly completed as a one-way thru-hike since the hike is long and the terrain can be difficult. If you have two nights, spend some extra time exploring the side trails and lakes in this area. This 24 mile, 6,200 elevation gain permit only hike leads to the tallest mountain in the contiguous US. The first frost usually comes in mid-October. And if we were to backpack again, wed love to spend one more day out there so we had more time to explore and to have an extra day in case the weather was bad. 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. If you choose to climb up Aasgard Pass, as recommended in this guide, you will be carrying a full overnight pack with the food up 2,000 feet of elevation gain in less than a mile. This is a great campsite if you are planning a short first day of hiking. day hikes near Leavenworth. Negative Elev. Its a bit of a pain to carry, but worth it to avoid any mishaps with wildlife. 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. Pin this blog post to prep for your trip! However, dont count on this as a guarantee it is far better to try to secure an Enchantments permit in advance. The increasingly jaw-dropping views are the only distraction from the heart-pumping exertion. If you do not get a permit during the permit window, or happen to be visiting outside of that window, there is a small chance you can hike in the area during other times of the year, but you will likely encounter a lot of snow. It is a great option if you have been to Colchuck Lake before and hate the idea of Aasgard Pass! Tucked away in a particularly rugged area of Washington, just accessing this beautiful environment takes substantial planning. Here is a rundown of the mileage for different portions of the hike, directly from the Forest Service. Plan your hike for mid-July to mid-September, and check both trip reports and weather forecasts before getting started. Sounds like you know what you're doing - it will be an adventure. For a challenging side adventure, there is a trail that branches off near Perfection Lake and heads up Prusik Pass. The Enchantments are an absolutely amazing alpine wonderland located in central Washington state. Viewing 13 posts - 1 through 13 (of 13 total) Jun 24, 2014 at 7:44 am #1318302. The Enchantments would be a very rough introduction to backpacking for a 2 year old. See some of our recommended stops below! 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. You may also be able to snag a spot later in the evening when day hikers are leaving. The last hiking practice Ill mention here is to be courteous of other peoples trips. Enchantments Hike Specs: Length: 23.6 mi Elevation gain: 5,003 ft Route type: Point to point There are five unique areas amongst the Enchantments zone which covers about 75 square miles. Snow Lake was beautiful and more scenic than we thought it would be, so while its not the most ideal permit to get, it still makes for a very fun trip! You should try taking them on a couple easier backpacking trips first to see how they do. Although its only 4.5 miles in, there are lots of uneven rocks and only a few flat sections this hike isnt easy! The mountain goats in particular are habituated to visitors. : 1312 ft. the enchantments hiking washington day hike The main path stays to the left of the waterfall but is not immediately next to the left rock cliffs. We highly recommend driving into Leavenworth after your hike and grabbing a bratwurst or sausage from Munchen Haus! There are two starting points to choose from, both just a 30-minute drive outside of town, making this one of the best hikes near Leavenworth. A lot of people were doing this and it is allowed. Hiking poles are a good idea to help with the change in elevation and also for balance on the steep and rocky terrain. Overview. We recommend starting at the Colchuck/Stewart lake trailhead and knocking out Aasgard first, as the rest of the hike will be downhill from there. 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! Inspiration Lake is tucked away in a pool surrounded by steep granite on three sides. The hike is a mixture of a regular dirt trail and rock scrambling. But the wait, stress, and uncertainty of getting to access this area is worth it!Note: Dogs are not allowed in the Enchantments. Most hikers start from Stuart Lake, and we recommend this direction as well. Many avoid the Permit hassle doing the Enchantments as a long day hike. Once applications are drawn, there is a few-week period where successful applicants must accept their permit. Please dont bury TP; pack it in, pack it out. 208SX by Green Trails Maps . Prior experience will help prepare you for the Enchantments hike and make it more fun! The permits are a lottery system, which means that you enter between specific dates, typically February 15-March 2 and then on March 20 you find out if you won. The miles of steep, rocky terrain are relentless and because youre at high elevation, you often have to combat Mother Nature, too. Always maintain a very safe distance from wildlife, and take care of your business well away from the trail and campsites! As an Airbnb Associate, we may earn a commission when you book through our links, at no extra cost to you. But once you get up Aasgard, you have an alpine lake filled playground to call home for the night. a little bit of snow on the trail even in early September 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. Clothing itemsLayers are a great idea any time of the year while hiking the Enchantments. Yay, congrats! Hiking the Enchantments is one of the most memorable PNW experiences. The Enchantments is a region in Washington, just 15 miles southwest of Leavenworth, a super cute Bavarian village town. You can also choose an alternate leader. 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. Unlike grizzlies, black bears are rarely aggressive, but its still best to take precautions. If you have more time, there is plenty to enjoy and explore, and shorter hiking days will provide more time to relax at camp by the lakes. However, there is no easy way to get there. It would be reasonable to plan up to 12 hours plus drive time if you want to take. The permit season for the Enchantments is between May 15 and October 31. The lakes clear, blue (and freeeezing cold!) Your email address will not be published. Dates: September 2nd- 5th 2016 Location: Leavenworth, Washington. Core Enchantments:From Colchuck Lake to the top of Aasgard Pass:2.5 miles (one way)2,500 ft elevation gain, From the inlet of Upper Snow Lake to Lake Viviane:1.5 miles (one way)1,400 ft elevation gain. The total hiking time ranges from 8 hours for ultra-fast trail runners to about 15 for reasonably fit hikers going at a steady pace. Toughest of the year while hiking the Enchantments to prep for your trip on carrying them entire! 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