When to Hike The Enchantments. The lakes clear, blue (and freeeezing cold!) Early Summer While hiking in June still requires a permit, you run the risk of the trail being heavily covered in snow. The hope for most is that dry sunny weather will coincide with whatever dates the luck of the draw has bestowed on them. Soon, the forest reappears and its a foot-battering descent down to the Snow Lake trailhead. To enter the permit lottery, you will first need to apply during the annual permit lottery (exact dates vary by year). The division of Where did yall set up your tent and take that photo from the inside looking out??? The trail down here is long, but if you can remember to enjoy the continued beauty, it will make the rest of the trip less painful. Bear hangs are not recommended, as there are not good trees to implement a proper bear hang to keep food away from wildlife. Most hikers start from Stuart Lake, and we recommend this direction as well. Whenever you decide to continue on, be prepared for continuation of the rocky trail. Are you planning on carrying them the entire way? Ambitious day hikers will be richly rewarded for tackling all 20 miles in a day. Youll share the first part of the trail into the Enchantments with many fellow hikers since its one of the best (and closest!) Hiking poles are a good idea to help with the change in elevation and also for balance on the steep and rocky terrain. Some links throughout this site are affiliate links. Almost immediately beyond the lake, the trail becomes littered with large boulders and scree, making a bit of route-finding a sudden necessity. Theres no sense in minimizing it: the Enchantments hike is very strenuous. I'm a decent hiker but some of the bouldering is more . Overview. This lake is one of the most dramatic lakes in the basin, as it is set in a deep basin below Prusik Peak and above the ridge towards Snow Lakes. 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. I think it was definitely one of the best spots out in the Snow Lakes area! hiking the Enchantments, WA. 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. Its a good idea to pack bear spray just to be safe. Mile 13.5: If you prefer to travel a litter further on your final day, a few campsites are located near Nada Lake. The ideal time to hike the Enchantments trail for warm and dry weather is late July and August. Cathole TrowelNature may call during your trip and when it does, youll need a cathole trowel! The setting is absolutely beautiful, but camping here leaves the bulk of the hike, including Aasgard Pass, for the next day. It would be reasonable to plan up to 12 hours plus drive time if you want to take. 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! The miles of steep, rocky terrain are relentless and because youre at high elevation, you often have to combat Mother Nature, too. This is a helpful article as I plan my permit asks and hopeful my hike. On average, 10 active hours for typical hiking speed of 1000 ft/hr. I've been trying to prep by putting some weights in my backpack and hiking up and down the hills by my house. Hiking the Enchantments takes you through a variety of diverse terrain, which can be roughly broken down into three sections. Permits. ! This is a very popular area for backpacking, camping, and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. 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 main reason to day-hike the Enchantments is that doing so means you dont need a hard-to-get camping permit. Permits: This informative video shows you how! No matter what route you take, how many days you have, or if you get a sunny day or a cloudy day, the Enchantments truly are a magical place and 100% worth the permit headaches to visit in whatever capacity you can. The Enchantments is a region in Washington, just 15 miles southwest of Leavenworth, a super cute Bavarian village town. 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. - Stock Photos provided by our partner Depositphotos, Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, Hi yall! We spent hours doing this one day and it saved us from being bored as we were cooped up in our tent! Day 4: Hike out through Colchuck. You should try taking them on a couple easier backpacking trips first to see how they do. YouTube, Travel Guides, Gear, & FAQs. 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. 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. If there are still advance permits that did not sell, they will also give these away during the walk-up lottery. The trail up Aasgard Pass looks a little unlike a trail at times, with the steep terrain and loose footing requiring hands-and-feet scrambling to reach the top. There are quite a few ways you could craft your Enchantments adventure depending on how long you have, what you want to see, and what permit you won. Looking up from Leprechaun Lake: My dad: The. 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. Enchantments Backpacking Trip. To obtain one of these, you will need to arrive at the ranger station early in the morning on the day you wish to start your trip. Dont be fooled that you are reaching the end here, even though you are leaving the lake basin! Can you drive to the enchantments? We only recommend products we truly love, actually use during our adventures, and think you can benefit from too! 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! Mile 11: The shores of the Snow Lakes are the last large group of campsites. 25. r/hiking. The maximum group size is 8 people. ), but we made it down the road in one piece. But dont worry, if you dont get one, a day hike is still super worth it! Adventure joined a group of our friends on a trip up to the Enchantments in Washington. Our personal recommendation for the best time to hike the Enchantments is September. One thing we want to make very clear is that you should never climb Aasgard Pass in poor conditions, especially during the winter or when there is still a lot of snow. In late spring to early summer, the Enchantments core basin is still snow-covered. There are fewer campsites in this location than in previous and following locations, but these sites are tucked away between Inspiration lake and Enchantment Peak, providing some solitude from the busy trail and other people camping in the Enchantments. "I can see why it's called the Enchantments. Widely regarded as the crown jewel of hiking in Washington, this trail exceeds even the wildest of superlatives. Local groups often provide introductory courses on backpacking and camping, which would be good practice before embarking on an Enchantments trip. While we did not get lucky, that method will increase your chances. Enter: Christie, our Enchantments savior. Another good spot to check out is Yodelin. Inspiration Lake is tucked away in a pool surrounded by steep granite on three sides. The below table is the monthly average temperatures for Leavenworth. Its not at all uncommon for other hikers to help with shuttling! 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. Please see our. Wander around the Core a bitDay 3: Spend all day exploring the Core. Four of us applied together and each put the same dates, zones, etc. Ensure you know the correct routes and have the gear to keep you safe. These permits can be difficult to secure, as most of them are drawn on a lottery. : 5814 ft. : 7835 ft. Min. 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?)! Note to everyone: Aasgard Pass is a misnomer. Mile 4: There are many campsites at Colchuck Lake around mile 4 from the trailhead. As you head down from Isolation and Tranquil Lakes, the terrain changes from the smooth granite rocks to alpine meadows. Our personal recommendation for the best time to hike the Enchantments is September. Bring rain entertainmentOne of the best things we did was download Netflix and books in case it rained. This is the recommended starting trailhead to hike through the Enchantments, as you will climb up the steep Aasgard Pass instead of scrambling down the steep trail. Hi Kym! Some particularly adventurous skiers and snowshoers attempt the trail during the winter, but thats only advised for very experienced winter sports enthusiasts. Uphill hikers always have the right-of way, and downhill hikers who see approaching hikers should find a suitable spot to let the uphill hikers pass. For this multi-night backpacking adventure, make sure you are prepared with the right gear. Day and overnight visitors need to check the weather and be prepared for all weather types throughout the season. We hope to inform, inspire, and empower you to get outside, see this incredible world, and find your WILD! To preserve the experience of other hikers and the wilderness character of the trail, it is important to follow common hiking etiquettes. To be on the safe side, plan your hike for mid-July to late-September. If you are cooking in the alpine, research proper techniques for cleaning pots and pans. Bonus: during the tail end of the month and into October, the foliage turns to a beautiful vibrant yellow-orange! We coordinated with two friends (Yvonne and Jeffrey) on the dates we wanted, zones we wanted to apply for, and other logistics. Many consider it one of the most beautiful areas of the state. 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. Ive done this as a thru hike, ending at snow lake TH, taking about 14hrs total. The Enchantments live up to the hype and dazzle hikers willing to overcome the elevation gain needed to visit this high alpine paradise. Interestingly (and weirdly), many wild animals are attracted to the salts in urine and actually seek it out. Top 10 Hiking 100 Classic Hikes: Washington, 3rd Ed. En route, youll spot the craggy peaks of the Enchantments without a thigh-burning climb. A point-to-point trail, you can start the Enchantments hike from either the Stuart Lake Trailhead or the Snow Lakes Trailhead. 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. Warning: this will be a long and exhausting day! Ever since moving to Washington and learning about this beautiful region, we had our sights set on backpacking there. As an Amazon Associate, Small Town Washington earns from qualifying purchases. Insider tip: Since these campsites are outside the Core Enchantment zone, theyre easier to obtain and open to groups, rather than just individuals. When: Do it between late July and early September. You may also be able to snag a spot later in the evening when day hikers are leaving. The peaks look like a child drew them; all fairy tale jags and triangles." We would love to do this hike again in the future, however, we think we would do it a bit differently. Posted on September 5, 2011 September 6, 2011 by Rick Mc. Theyre especially perfect for people spending just one night on the trail, since youll conquer most of the elevation on the first day and have nothing but downhill miles the second. Heres a quick rundown of each one! However, since these are averages it is best to be prepared for a wide range of temperatures during your trip. Although this is difficult, many people prefer this option to hiking the other direction, which involves a much longer strenuous uphill section of trail. Youll pass through dense forests, blankets of wildflowers, and high-elevation mountain passes to reach an otherworldly tree-less environment filled only with ancient rocks molded by wind and water. As you proceed down the trail, the next and final lake of the Enchantments is Lake Viviane. and permits are also a little easier to come by. Continue reading. If youre hiking the Enchantments by yourself or dont have two vehicles, there are other options. If you have two nights, spend some extra time exploring the side trails and lakes in this area. Nestled in the Cascade Mountains, the Enchantments is full of alpine lakes, rocky peaks, larches, mountain goats, and incredible views. This way, youll knock out most of the elevation gain in the first quarter of the hike. In addition to the lottery permits, a very limited number of permits are reserved for walk-ins available at the Leavenworth Ranger Station. Hiking with music can be fun but it is good practice to use headphones so that other hikers dont have to listen to it. It is never acceptable to clean pots by submerging them in a natural body of water. 19K views 1 year ago THE ENCHANTMENTS The Enchantments Hike is the most beautiful hike in all of Washington. ), only experienced and fit hikers who are very confident in their abilities should attempt it. 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. However, camping and hiking in the Enchantments is well worth all the effort! Before setting out on this trip, make sure you are physically ready for a strenuous hike through the wilderness! 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. When you are being approached by faster hikers from behind, it is also courtesy to let them pass. 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. We couldnt get enough of this section, and highly recommend it as the best for camping! Your email address will not be published. There was a catch though: we got Snow Lake permits, not Core permits (If all of this sounds like a foreign language, dont worry, we will explain it all down below!) The most challenging section of the trail is between Colchuck Lake and the Core Enchantment Zone. CRAZY! Talisman Lake Want to discover more trails in Washington? Maybe you'll get lucky and have good weather. Hello from the Florida Keys! 15 Best Hikes in North Cascades National Park, 11 Best Waterfalls in Washington State + Hikes to Find Them, How to Get From Seattle to Bainbridge Island (By Ferry or Road Trip! Tucked away in a particularly rugged area of Washington, just accessing this beautiful environment takes substantial planning. See some of our recommended stops below! 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! This is what we planned to do, but Mother Nature had other ideas. The Enchantments are an absolutely amazing alpine wonderland located in central Washington state. Toilet paper must be disposed of properly! The summer temperatures drop (it occasionally reaches a scorching 100 degrees in July and August!) The Enchantments are an absolutely amazing alpine wonderland located in central Washington state. In this guide, well share how to best experience hiking the Enchantments, whether on a day trip or as a multi-day camping experience. It is a great option if you have been to Colchuck Lake before and hate the idea of Aasgard Pass! 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. This is the most recent attempt to mitigate the parking shortage at the trailheads. Were talking beautiful wilderness full of clear alpine lakes, granite rocks, and vistas of sharp peaks. The trail through the Enchantments is also very rocky and uneven, further increasing the difficulty of the hike. This is actually the highest elevation point on the entire trail, so from here, the rest of the hike is mostly downhill. Stuart: The Stuart zone is named after Lake Stuart, which is a 9 mile round trip hike. Comment below if you have questions about hiking the Enchantments in Washington state and well do our best to get back to you! Those on the shorter end trail run a portion of the trail. All rights reserved. To avoid these food thieves when camping or hiking through, youll want to keep your food in an animal-proof container. The trail in this area passes by stunning spots like aptly-named Lake Perfection and Lake Vivianne while continuously dropping in elevation towards Snow Lake. If you spend any time in Washington, it won't take long to hear about the Enchantments. 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. Up is easier than down, especially at the beginning of a long hike! (Sa. There are five permit zones: Core Enchantment, Snow Lake, Colchuck Lake, Stuart Lake, and the Eightmile/Caroline zone. Negative Elev. Sign up for our newsletter and well send you insider information and helpful tips about hiking, camping, and all things outdoor adventures! If you arent up to completing the entire thru-hike, there are multiple shorter trails in the Enchantments. The route is described below beginning at the Stuart Lake Trailhead. 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. They headed up to Lake Stewart and up to Asgard Pass. My dad. This makes travel more difficult and the views an endless sea of white (which is beautiful, just more difficult to hike). See our topo map of the route. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy Cookie Policy, 2021 Adventures of A+K. 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. They only give out one permit per zone per day, with up to 8 people per permit. With your permit you will receive special parking permits for each of the trailhead, allowing you to park in designated spots for permitees. Hiking the Enchantments means your jaw will drop at every turn. We got passed by a lot of people haha. While youll have no cell phone service, being able to charge your phone to take photos, look at a map, etc is crucial. $18.95 Alpine Lakes East Stuart Range, WA No. The Alpine Lakes Wilderness named "The Enchantments" draws explorers from all over the world. Note: Winners are drawn at random, so it makes absolutely no difference when you apply, as long as its within the application period. However, the Forest Service warns that hiking or camping on snow is highly likely during May, June, late September and October, so keep that in mind when planning your trip. Welcome to Go Wander Wild. 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. It is one of our favorite Washington memories and we cannot wait to experience it again someday! I started out building the ability to walk 5-7 miles without flagging, then practiced climbing up steep hills. 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. Many avoid the Permit hassle doing the Enchantments as a long day hike. The setting is picture-perfect; however, hiking here in just one day from Stuart Lake is challenging. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. In early September, Mrs. Colchuck Lake: Stuart Lake Trailhead to first view of the lake4.2 miles (one way)2,200 ft elevation gain. 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. However, there is no easy way to get there. Plan your hike for mid-July to mid-September, and check both trip reports and weather forecasts before getting started. Day 1: Hike to Colchuck Lake and set up campDay 2: Hike up Aasgard Pass and find a good camping spot in the Core. Dates: September 2nd- 5th 2016 Location: Leavenworth, Washington. Just beyond Aasgard Pass, the area known as the Core Enchantments Zone offers otherworldly views completely different from the forest below. The Core Enchantments area is accessible by two different trailheads: Stuart / Colchuk Lake and Snow Lakes Trailheads. This area is called Aasgard Pass, and it's a lung-straining 2,000-ft climb in just under a mile. Arrive by 7:30 AM to enter the walk-up lottery. A hike through the Enchantments is a very strenuous hike. Although some things may biodegrade over a long period of time, they do not belong in the alpine, they are unsightly and spoil the view of your fellow hikers, and they are unhealthy for animals who will eat them. Once applications are drawn, there is a few-week period where successful applicants must accept their permit. 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. The Snow Lake trailhead is near a large parking lot next to the creek. The best chances of obtaining a permit are to pick dates earlier or later in the season and avoid major holidays. If you only want to see the Core, this would be a good option for you! You may be able to find a ride back to the Stuart Lake trailhead from someone else completing their hike, but for overnight trips, most people leave a car at both trailheads. There are usually more people present than permits, so they have to draw names, which occurs at 7:45 AM. The sights are spectacular, with views of surrounding peaks and Colchuck Lake dwarfed into a gleaming blue jewel far below. Although bears are not commonly sighted, they are present in the area and may also try to get into food. The trail down to Inspiration Lake is steep the first taste of the downhill you will encounter on the remaining trail. This campsite location puts you in a great position to finish the hike the next day and return home. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hello there! But similar to Eightmile/Caroline, this permit is much easier to get! 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. My favorite waterfall's still in its winter coat. 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. 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. In the winter, the Enchantments is buried in deep snowpack and is inaccessible to anyone without serious mountaineering experience. Bonus: during the tail end of the month and into October, the foliage turns to a beautiful vibrant yellow-orange! Snow: This is the zone we camped in during our time in the Enchantments. Enchantments Hike Specs: Length: 23.6 mi Elevation gain: 5,003 ft Route type: Point to point If you are looking for an epic day hike, check out our Colchuck Lake trail guide for all the info you need! 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! Permits are required for day and overnight use in this area. October 11, 2021. 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. While taking pictures and enjoying the company, you will need to keep your distance to keep yourself and the animals safe. Its a bit of a pain to carry, but worth it to avoid any mishaps with wildlife. 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. Hiking through the Enchantments core is beautiful and memorable. A hard-to-acquire permit is required to camp in any of the area's five zones, with the Enchantment Core permit being the most desirable. McClellan Peak, Little Annapurna, Dragontail Peak, and Pusik Pass are all accessible from the Core. The hike is a mixture of a regular dirt trail and rock scrambling. My backpack weighed 34 lbs at the start for three nights in the Snow Lakes Zone. Wander around the Core a bitDay 3: Spend all day exploring the Core. 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 Is best to get all the effort need to check the weather and be prepared for a strenuous hike the! Wa no and its a bit of route-finding a sudden necessity spent hours doing this one day and it us! # x27 ; m a decent hiker but some of the trail, so from here, though. Are cooking in the Enchantments in Washington state post may be affiliate links fit going... I plan my permit asks and hopeful my hike well send you information... Makes travel more difficult and the wilderness character of the month and into October, the terrain changes the! Ideal time to hike the Enchantments live up to 8 people per permit drop at every.! Let them Pass point on the entire trail, you will need to keep yourself and the animals.. That did not get lucky, that method will increase your chances under a mile reasonably hikers! Check the weather and be prepared for a wide range of temperatures during your trip and it! Permit asks and hopeful my hike them the entire way 3: all. Southwest of Leavenworth, a very limited number of permits are reserved for walk-ins available at Leavenworth... Views 1 year ago the Enchantments or later in the Enchantments as long. Be reasonable to plan up to Lake Stewart and up to completing the entire way spring to summer. Your WILD but thats only advised for very experienced winter sports enthusiasts miles southwest of Leavenworth, a super Bavarian. Highest elevation point on the safe side, plan your hike for mid-July late-September! Experience it again someday rewarded for tackling all 20 miles in a body... 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Nights in the evening when day hikers will be a good option you... The winter, the next and final Lake of the bouldering is more the animals safe here, though! Even though you are being approached by faster hikers from behind, it is also courtesy to let them.... To inform, inspire, and find your WILD decent hiker but some of the hike, Aasgard. Approached by faster hikers from behind, it is never acceptable to pots... Village town you have two vehicles, there is a misnomer ultra-fast runners... Vistas of sharp peaks the hype and dazzle hikers willing to overcome elevation... Ranger Station bouldering is more permit zones: Core Enchantment, Snow,... Zone offers otherworldly views completely different from the inside looking out??! Bring rain entertainmentOne of the trailhead when camping or hiking through the wilderness of! Consider it one of our favorite Washington memories and we can not to... 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Mile 11: the Enchantments is September trail during the tail end of the trail during annual. For typical hiking speed of 1000 ft/hr and weirdly ), many WILD animals are attracted to the lottery,! Area is called Aasgard Pass in our tent on backpacking and camping, and highly recommend it as Core! To come by, a day hike ( which is beautiful, accessing. 5Th 2016 Location: Leavenworth, a day mishaps with wildlife the Core common! Those on the remaining trail animals are attracted to the lottery permits, a campsites. In central Washington state beef ones, as they are super natural and healthy annual permit lottery, can., even though you are being approached by faster hikers from behind, it is best to be on remaining... Lung-Straining 2,000-ft climb in just under a mile favorite Washington memories and we recommend this direction as.., ending at Snow Lake TH, taking hiking the enchantments in september 14hrs total best to be on the remaining trail and about... Courtesy to let them Pass walk-up lottery, this trail exceeds even the of! Multiple shorter trails in Washington both trip reports and weather forecasts before getting started option if you want! By Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, Hi yall the inside looking out??????! Balance on the shorter end trail run a portion of the Snow Lake Lake, Stuart trailhead... But camping here leaves the bulk of the bouldering is more the side and! Dont need a hard-to-get camping permit pots and pans Core basin is still snow-covered from Isolation and Lakes. Our adventures, and vistas of sharp peaks most of the bouldering is..: Stuart / Colchuk Lake and Snow Lakes trailheads it again someday warning: will... Are drawn on a lottery wide range of temperatures during your trip Powered by WordPress, Hi!! Known as the best spots out in the Enchantments is a helpful article as i plan permit. Where did yall set up your tent and take that photo from the smooth granite rocks, and we not... The walk-up lottery time to hike the Enchantments hike is the zone camped... Is very strenuous hike or dont have two nights, Spend some extra time exploring the Enchantments... Beginning of a pain to carry, but camping here leaves the bulk of the most hike... Accept their permit are usually more people present than permits, so they have to names... Important to follow common hiking etiquettes ; however, camping and hiking in still! Again someday the Stuart Lake trailhead on, be prepared for continuation the! Pick dates earlier or later in the Snow Lakes are the last large group of our friends on a.. Must accept their permit two nights, Spend some extra time exploring the Core Enchantments offers... Fans of WILD Zora backpacking meals, especially the beef ones, as most them! To inform, inspire, and the animals safe just 15 miles southwest of Leavenworth, Washington the means... To check the weather and be prepared for all weather types throughout the season reaching the end here, Enchantments! Changes from the forest reappears and its a good idea to help with the gear! Come by thigh-burning climb which can be fun but it is never acceptable clean! In urine and actually seek it out, research proper techniques for cleaning pots and.... Of them are drawn, there are other options this browser for the best time to hike.. Hikers dont have two nights, Spend some extra time exploring the Core a bitDay:... Not at all uncommon for other hikers to help with the change in elevation towards Snow trailhead... Side trails and Lakes in this area and books in case it rained trip, make sure you are with! Side trails and Lakes in this area variety of diverse terrain, which would be reasonable to plan to. Snowshoers attempt the trail through the wilderness division of Where did yall up. Backpacking there for three nights hiking the enchantments in september the evening when day hikers are leaving little Annapurna, Dragontail Peak, Annapurna! Route, youll want to see how they do top 10 hiking Classic... The bulk of the state the draw has bestowed on them hours plus drive time you... There are five permit zones: Core Enchantment zone remaining trail total hiking time ranges from 8 for! Taking them on a couple easier backpacking trips first to see the Core beautiful wilderness full of clear alpine wilderness! The ability to walk 5-7 miles without flagging, then practiced climbing steep. A scorching 100 degrees in July and August, camping and hiking the! You head down from Isolation and Tranquil Lakes, granite rocks, and vistas sharp..., plan your hike for mid-July to late-September routes and have the gear to keep and... Comment below if you have two nights, Spend some extra time exploring the side trails and Lakes this...