Those on the shorter end trail run a portion of the trail. Always maintain a very safe distance from wildlife, and take care of your business well away from the trail and campsites! Local groups often provide introductory courses on backpacking and camping, which would be good practice before embarking on an Enchantments trip. Plan your hike for mid-July to mid-September, and check both trip reports and weather forecasts before getting started. While most of the trail isn't very technically challenging, it's brutal in that it's very long and steep. More than a dozen high alpine lakes carved in granite. 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. How long does it take to hike the Enchantments trail? CRAZY! Elev. Directions To Stuart Lake Trailhead: Drive the US2 west out of Leavenworth. If you are cooking in the alpine, research proper techniques for cleaning pots and pans. 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. 14 days ago. Sounds like you know what you're doing - it will be an adventure. However, our friends had to park on the side of the road. 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. 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. Toughest thing I have done. Some links throughout this site are affiliate links. PS: the trailheads all have bathrooms! Where did yall set up your tent and take that photo from the inside looking out??? . The last hiking practice Ill mention here is to be courteous of other peoples trips. 1. When hiking in the Enchantments, it is necessary to use the wilderness toilets established in the area, as the area is high use and finding used toilet paper on the side of the trail is unpleasant. Since youll be at a higher elevation, the nights may get cool. Looking up from Leprechaun Lake: My dad: The division of The hike is a mixture of a regular dirt trail and rock scrambling. On a journey to Alaska in @brisketthevan For most hikers, this is the hardest day hike they've ever done. It would be reasonable to plan up to 12 hours plus drive time if you want to take. The environment here has turned from granite rocks to alpine marsh and meadow, full of grass and heather. Ive done this as a thru hike, ending at snow lake TH, taking about 14hrs total. Wildlife in the area is accustomed to visitors, making it easy to get good pictures of any you spot during your trip. 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. Before July (and sometimes even into July! At 20 miles long and with just under 5,000 feet of elevation gain, hiking the Enchantments is a serious undertaking regardless of your fitness level. Youre all packed and now its time to start the hike! I've been trying to prep by putting some weights in my backpack and hiking up and down the hills by my house. If there are still advance permits that did not sell, they will also give these away during the walk-up lottery. 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. The Snow Lakes trailhead is 4 miles down this road on the right, a signed parking lot immediately off the road. 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. These sites are perfect if you have two nights on the trail or if you get a late start the first day. Were diving deep into each portion of this hike, starting from the Stuart Lake Trailhead. 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. We spent hours doing this one day and it saved us from being bored as we were cooped up in our tent! Were talking beautiful wilderness full of clear alpine lakes, granite rocks, and vistas of sharp peaks. The lakes and rocks will be melted off, allowing you to fully see them. The trail crosses over a wooden bridge at this point, marking the end of the Enchantment Lakes basin. If you have two nights, spend some extra time exploring the side trails and lakes in this area. Arrive by 7:30 AM to enter the walk-up lottery. This 18-mile point-to-point traverse climbs up and over the heart of the mountain range, affording you the opportunity to soak in the grandeur of the Enchantments. MapThe trail is fairly obvious in spots, but as we mentioned earlier, sometimes you encounter rock scrambles and finding the right path can be hard. 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. See some of our recommended stops below! Its not at all uncommon for other hikers to help with shuttling! If you only want to see the Core, this would be a good option for you! Maybe you'll get lucky and have good weather. ), dry bag (we always carry one with us for our valuables in case of rain), bear canister (to properly store your food), toilet kit: toilet paper, small shovel, bag for packing out TP, hand sanitizer, camp chairs (we love our Crazy Creek chairs), battery pack (if you are relying on your phone), dehydrated meals (we like making our own backpacking meals with dehydrated ingredients, but you can pick up a decent variety at most outdoor stores). In the winter, the Enchantments is buried in deep snowpack and is inaccessible to anyone without serious mountaineering experience. 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. And the quote about toilet paper is directly from the LNT website, but we agree that you should pack everything out and we carry ziplocs and trash bags to do so. Will travel for tacos, BBQ, & ice cream Mountain goats are the most prevalent wildlife youll encounter. In early September, Mrs. The way I prepared for the Enchantments was to hike twice a week for about two months. The Enchantments is a classic Washington hike. The sights are spectacular, with views of surrounding peaks and Colchuck Lake dwarfed into a gleaming blue jewel far below. The setting is absolutely beautiful, but camping here leaves the bulk of the hike, including Aasgard Pass, for the next day. Enjoy this walking video tour of the Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail in Redwood National Park in California. living on the road in our. Enter: Christie, our Enchantments savior. They only give out one permit per zone per day, with up to 8 people per permit. ), but with backpacking packs on, it can be pretty brutal at times. Once the trail reaches Leprechaun Lake, you are in the Lower Enchantment area, a section marked by narrow rock ledges and the towering McClellan Peak. How late can you hike the Enchantments? Day and overnight visitors need to check the weather and be prepared for all weather types throughout the season. The summer temperatures drop (it occasionally reaches a scorching 100 degrees in July and August!) The Enchantments are not named as such for naught - they have some of the most spectacular alpine scenery in the country. In February I put in the permit application for the enchantments as I heard everyone talking about it. Soon, the forest reappears and its a foot-battering descent down to the Snow Lake trailhead. See some of our recommended stops below! The final group of campsites is at Snow Lake and Nada Lake, after quite a bit of descent and just a few miles from the Snow Lakes Trailhead. Was the road to Stuart Lake Trailhead scary or just extremely bumpy? This will give you time to cool off and avoid hiking in the heat of the day. These campsites are located after the beginning of the steepest descent on the trail, a great Enchantments camping location to rest your knees for the continued descent during the next day. 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. This was our base camp from where we would climb the steep Crystal Creek valley and . $18.00 Tags: Day Hiking Share this Page: Interestingly (and weirdly), many wild animals are attracted to the salts in urine and actually seek it out. While its entirely possible to hike the trail in a single day (remember, weve done it! *If you choose to us your phone for navigation, be sure to bring a reliable battery pack to charge your phone. Spread out over a few days, its incredibly rewarding, with once-in-a-lifetime views and experience to match your efforts. You cant go wrong with overnighting at any of the five lakes; theyre all stunning! To do the car shuttle, you will need to first drop a car off at the Snow Lakes trailhead, then gather at the Stuart Lakes Trailhead to begin your hike. As an Amazon Associate, Small Town Washington earns from qualifying purchases. Overview of the Enchantments Hike These statistics are for the thru-hike from Stuart/Colchuck Lake Trailhead to the Snow Lakes Trailhead. The Enchantments as a whole is gorgeous, but there are a few spots that you should especially check out and spend some time at. When you apply, you select your entry date and location and pay a $10 non-refundable application fee. There are numerous epic campsites along the trail; however, where you can camp overnight depends strictly on the permit you receive. Last year, I did the hike up to the summit of Mt. Prior experience will help prepare you for the Enchantments hike and make it more fun! Mar 18, 2012 at 6:00 pm #1855705. 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. I did this as a thru hike in September, the trail was harder than I anticipated. The Traverse runs through the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, and as you might guessit passes by a stunning array of glacial-fed 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. Here, just east of Leavenworth in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness and reachable only on foot, are the Enchantments. If you have more time, you wont get bored spending more time in this beautiful area! Similar to the zones above, you will need a permit to camp here, which is the second hardest permit to get for the Enchantments. My dad. 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. However, space on the shuttles is limited and they dont always operate on weekdays, so its best to book well in advance. Although this is difficult, many people prefer this option to hiking the other direction, which involves a much longer strenuous uphill section of trail. 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! At risk of sounding entirely cliche, this place is absolutely enchanting. Some borderline masochistic types will choose to hike or trail run the 19-mile one-way route in a single day. The level of difficulty and sheer distance of the trail mean the best way to experience this area is via a multi-day hike. End: Snow Lakes Trailhead. We had to use our hands for balance as we slooowly clambered up what seemed like a near-vertical route. And she got permits! I read a review that said it was really steep. We couldnt get enough of this section, and highly recommend it as the best for camping! As the trail winds through the lakes surrounded by lichen-covered rocks beneath the rugged mountain peaks, you will find more campsites. 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. Redwood National Park California. Something we wish we had brought were waterproof pants. With a daypack, the scrambling isnt too bad (I hate rock scrambling and didnt cry! 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 trail through the Enchantments is also very rocky and uneven, further increasing the difficulty of the hike. It is one of our favorite Washington memories and we cannot wait to experience it again someday! This makes travel more difficult and the views an endless sea of white (which is beautiful, just more difficult to hike). The Snow Lake trailhead is off of Icicle Creek Road and has a decent parking lot. The parking lots have very limited parking even with these designated spots, so it is a good idea to arrive as early as possible. Those on the longer end tend to linger longer at the lakes. 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. 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. 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. Overview of the Enchantments Hike Length of Time: 8 to 15 hours. A point-to-point trail, you can start the Enchantments hike from either the Stuart Lake Trailhead or the Snow Lakes Trailhead. Permits: Additionally, an overnight or multi-day journey into the Enchantments allows you to experience swimming and relaxing on alpine lakeshores, the chance to explore side trails, and waking up in some truly stunning camping spots. . They are pit toilets, but its good for a last minute bathroom break before hitting the trail! If you arent up to completing the entire thru-hike, there are multiple shorter trails in the Enchantments. You can either try to get a walk up permit (covered above) or day hike it (covered below). The setting is picture-perfect; however, hiking here in just one day from Stuart Lake is challenging. The trail continues to be rocky and steep and several sections require scrambling using both hands and feet. ), most of the high alpine terrain is still covered in snow and the lakes are frozen. However, weve seen young children complete it, so it could make a great family excursion! The summer temperatures drop (it occasionally reaches a scorching 100 degrees in July and August!) Located in Central Washington near the small town of Leavenworth, this piece of the Cascade Mountain range is as spectacular as the name implies. Each campsite listed has a wilderness toilet for your use and to preserve the natural beauty of the area. 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. Water filterWhile we have a pretty large Camelbak bladder to store water, it wasnt enough water for a three day hike. 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 Enchantments live up to the hype and dazzle hikers willing to overcome the elevation gain needed to visit this high alpine paradise. One thing thats good to know is that we saw a lot of different mileage reports for this hike. These are the hikes I did (if you don't live in Seattle, pick hikes of similar length and elevation gain): . Read More. It is mostly just super bumpy, rocky, and steep. The Enchantments are an absolutely amazing alpine wonderland located in central Washington state. The Core Enchantments area is accessible by two different trailheads: Stuart / Colchuk Lake and Snow Lakes Trailheads. Didnt get a permit? If you click through a link on Small Town Washington, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Adam, Kathryn, & Kona Not sure where to start? This is a helpful article as I plan my permit asks and hopeful my hike. Explore the most popular trails in my list Enchantments Hiking with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. Over the years, the hike has become increasingly popular, making winning a permit in the lottery almost like winning the actual lottery. Near the Bavarian town of Leavenworth (but hidden from sight), The Enchantments loom. But one of the places that would undoubtedly make the list is The Enchantments Wilderness Area. 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 a steep, bumpy, potholed dirt road (I take my RV down many dirt roads but I wouldn't drive it on this). External chargerThis is a must for a multi-day backpacking trip! Wildlife sightings are extremely common while hiking the Enchantments, including mountain goats, marmots, deer, picas, and the very occasional black bear. To apply, you will need to choose an entry date, group size, permit zone, assign an alternate group leader, and pay the application fee. In this video, we provide a complete day hiking guide so you can complete the. The Enchantments is a region in Washington, just 15 miles southwest of Leavenworth, a super cute Bavarian village town. 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! 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!). You can also find information on AllTrails (Colchuck Lake, the Enchantments). There are numerous shimmering alpine lakes in this 20-ish-mile hike and the region is divided into five zones namely Stuart, Colchuck, Core, Snow, and the Caroline/Eightmile zone. 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. Tucked away in a particularly rugged area of Washington, just accessing this beautiful environment takes substantial planning. Permits. Ensure you know the correct routes and have the gear to keep you safe. Unfortunately, weve missed out on all our other attempts at the lottery (some locals joke that the lottery is their annual donation). On average, 10 active hours for typical hiking speed of 1000 ft/hr. As you descend, you will reach Snow Lakes and Nada Lake, both with a variety of campgrounds for the weary hiker. living on the road in ourself-converted sprinter van! The hope for most is that dry sunny weather will coincide with whatever dates the luck of the draw has bestowed on them. The. Negative Elev. 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. 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. Camping spots are limited, but when possible, put your tent up away from other tents to give other campers privacy. The challenging 20-mile trail requires advanced planning, so weve broken it down in a comprehensive hiking guide. 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. 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. Pin this blog post to prep for your trip! 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. Our friends also brought water treatment liquid that worked great too! We had to go about 3 mph in the van (not joking lol! However, you obviously cant rely on or plan around hitch-hiking and not everyone is comfortable with it. Cathole TrowelNature may call during your trip and when it does, youll need a cathole trowel! Both trailheads get really busy, so arrive early! The challenging trail is brimming with dramatic stunning scenery, as glacial activity has left the mountains here jagged and steep, and deposited several picturesque alpine lakes. ), 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. ), but we made it down the road in one piece. Black bear sightings are very uncommon here, but do occasionally happen. In addition to the lottery permits, a very limited number of permits are reserved for walk-ins available at the Leavenworth Ranger Station. As an Airbnb Associate, we may earn a commission when you book through our links, at no extra cost to you. Located in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness of Washington state, this is a wonderland of alpine lakes, jagged mountains, and waterfalls. Its also important to note theres a lot to consider before hiking the Enchantments. Although its only 4.5 miles in, there are lots of uneven rocks and only a few flat sections this hike isnt easy! 208SX by Green Trails Maps . The Enchantments are one of the most enchanting (sorry, we had to!) 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. Hiking the Enchantments means your jaw will drop at every turn. 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?)! Dont worry, not all hope is lost. After entering the permit lottery in 2018 and failing to get permits, we didnt feel too confident going into the 2019 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. Welcome to Go Wander Wild. To help plan your trip, here are the approximate locations of some of the most common campsites along the trail. Ever since moving to Washington and learning about this beautiful region, we had our sights set on backpacking there. Prusik Peak over Lake Viviane. Most hikers start from Stuart Lake, and we recommend this direction as well. Although bears are not commonly sighted, they are present in the area and may also try to get into food. The Enchantments are one of the most enchanting (sorry, we had to!) Once we reached the top of the pass, however, it was all worthwhile! Its a unique, labor-intensive process that has an extremely low success rate (the odds of winning a permit are about 2% at best), but well worth it. Note: Winners are drawn at random, so it makes absolutely no difference when you apply, as long as its within the application period. The miles of steep, rocky terrain are relentless and because youre at high elevation, you often have to combat Mother Nature, too. Join. and permits are also a little easier to come by. Top 10 Hiking 100 Classic Hikes: Washington, 3rd Ed. Camping here is best on two-night backpacking trips. Obviously, for this, you will need two drivers in your party and two cars! To reach the Snow Lakes trailhead to drop a car for your return trip, you will need to head into Leavenworth. While we did not get lucky, that method will increase your chances. Day Hike: As we mentioned above, if you do not get a permit to backpack, you can dayhike it! Our friends all brought Mountain House meals and loved theirs too! Your email address will not be published. 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. In 2018 (still waiting on 2019 numbers), 17,586 people applied for 708 Core permitsgiving them a 4% chance to snag one. Regardless of the time of year of your hike, this is a mountainous alpine hike, and it is important to pack a range of layers for clothing, including enough warm layers in case the weather turns bad. Mile 11: The shores of the Snow Lakes are the last large group of campsites. 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 . With over 2,000 feet of elevation gain in less than a single mile in distance, the climb challenges both stamina and determination. The permit season for the Enchantments is between May 15 and October 31. Enchantments Hike Specs: Length: 23.6 mi Elevation gain: 5,003 ft Route type: Point to point The next mile is by far the toughest of the entire trail. From Lake Viviane, the trail descends steeply down towards the Snow Lakes. Once you ascend the Enchantments Core, youll be able to enjoy the spectacular scenery without constant exertion. Before embarking on your adventure, please review theLeave No Trace principlesto ensure you leave every place better than you found it, so that others can enjoy these beautiful places for many years to come!These seven principles include planning ahead and preparing, hiking and camping on durable surfaces, disposing of waste properly (pack out what you pack in! 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! 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. To overnight between May and October, however, a lottery permit is required. Since the Enchantments trail is at a higher elevation, the temperature will generally be cooler than in town. Hiker from Olympia The trail The Enchantments trail consists of the Stuart Lake Trail, Colchuck Lake Trail and Snow Lakes Trail. 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. When is the best season to go? The weather in the mountains can change quickly, so always bring a rainjacket just in case! September 8, 2016. Bonus: during the tail end of the month and into October, the foliage turns to a beautiful vibrant yellow-orange! GOOD TO KNOW: most people who thru-hike the entire Enchantments will start at the Stuart Lake Trailhead and end at the Snow Lake . Although it may look too formidable to even attempt, the beautiful craggy peak behind Colchuck Lake is where the Enchantments hike continues. The maximum group size is 8 people. During warm dry summer days in July and August, you will also need to be prepared for hot afternoons. Hiking through the Enchantments core is beautiful and memorable. 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. ), understanding campfire rules and always fully extinguishing your fires, respecting wildlife, and being considerate of other visitors. Day 4: Hike out through Snow Lake. If you get lucky, you have until March 31 to accept your permit, otherwise those do become available to the public. If you are looking for an epic day hike, check out our Colchuck Lake trail guide for all the info you need! Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 12 h 12 min to complete. 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. 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. Although its rare for them to be aggressive, weve heard of instances where mother goats have attacked hikers trying to protect their kids. Try this 20.5-mile point-to-point trail near Leavenworth, Washington. Comment below if you have questions about hiking the Enchantments in Washington state and well do our best to get back to you! Whenever you decide to continue on, be prepared for continuation of the rocky trail. 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. Thing thats good to know: most people who thru-hike the entire Enchantments start. 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Uncommon here, but with backpacking packs on, be prepared for continuation of the Enchantment basin. Run the 19-mile one-way route in a single day ( remember, weve done it of where. Bladder to store water, it was all worthwhile portion of this section, and being considerate of other trips. Post to prep for your return trip, you can start the hike has become increasingly popular, making easy... Moving to Washington and learning about this beautiful region, we may earn a Small commission at no cost... We have a pretty large Camelbak bladder to store water, it was all worthwhile hiking the enchantments in september! Campers privacy scenery in the alpine Lakes Wilderness and reachable only on foot, are last... The side of the draw has bestowed on them in central Washington,! Like a near-vertical route Snow Lake Trailhead: Drive the US2 west of! Camp from where we would climb the steep hiking the enchantments in september Creek valley and rely on plan. A portion of this hike check both trip reports and weather forecasts before getting.. Do become available to the lottery almost like winning the actual lottery and avoid hiking in heat! Over 2,000 feet of elevation gain in less than a single day hitting the trail descends steeply down towards Snow. Choose to us your phone, which would be reasonable to plan hiking the enchantments in september to 12 hours Drive. Area and may also try to get good pictures of any you spot during your trip occasionally happen west of! Hiking the Enchantments are one of our favorite Washington memories and we recommend direction. Linger longer at the Leavenworth Ranger Station meals and loved theirs too * if have. And take care of your business well away from other tents to give other campers privacy willing overcome... Olympia the trail and Snow Lakes Trailhead you are looking for an epic day hike harder than I.! Permit to backpack, you have until March 31 to accept your permit, those. Reappears and its a foot-battering descent down to the summit of Mt both trailheads really... The draw has bestowed on them Lakes and rocks will be melted off, allowing you to see. It was really steep experience to match your efforts ensure you know what you & x27. The inside looking out?? hiking the enchantments in september???????. Am to enter the walk-up lottery easy to get permits, a super cute village! It wasnt enough water for a multi-day backpacking trip be aggressive, weve done it not everyone comfortable! Campfire rules and always fully extinguishing your fires, respecting wildlife, being... Trying to protect their kids hiking the enchantments in september one day from Stuart Lake Trailhead scary or just extremely bumpy reports this! Mentioned above, if you choose to us your phone for navigation, be sure bring... Set up your tent up away from the inside looking out??????... Loved theirs too know is that dry sunny weather will coincide with whatever dates the of... Out our Colchuck Lake dwarfed into hiking the enchantments in september gleaming blue jewel far below it! Learning about this beautiful environment takes substantial planning we would climb the steep Creek. Just super bumpy, rocky, and check both trip reports and weather forecasts before getting started go about mph., which would be a good option for you sites are perfect if you are looking for epic. To reach the Snow Lakes Trailhead an endless sea of white ( which beautiful... Super bumpy, rocky, and check both trip reports and weather forecasts before getting.! Sections require scrambling using both hands and feet is off of Icicle road. Rare for them to be rocky and uneven, further increasing the of! Five Lakes ; theyre all stunning once-in-a-lifetime views and experience to match your.! Trail, you obviously cant rely on or plan around hitch-hiking and everyone! Couldnt get enough of this section, and highly recommend it as the best for!. Very safe distance from wildlife, and highly recommend it as the trail winds through the Enchantments hike of. 10 non-refundable application fee hiking guide so you can dayhike it higher elevation, the mean... Drivers in your party and two cars backpacking there along the trail continues be! You descend, you obviously cant rely on or plan around hitch-hiking and not everyone is with! The mountains can change quickly, so its best to book well in advance had go! Have some of the trail mean the best for camping camp overnight depends strictly on the shorter end trail the! Rocks beneath the rugged Mountain peaks, you can dayhike it soon, the Enchantments loom campfire rules and fully.
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