https://linktr.ee/kraig00:00 Hiking Aasgard Pass in the Enchantments4:29 Leavenworth Bavarian Village5:46 Hiking Guide and Behind the Scenes The challenging 20-mile trail requires advanced planning, so weve broken it down in a comprehensive hiking guide. Instead of backpacking, wed love to try day hiking it next time. 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. Enchantments Hike Specs: Length: 23.6 mi Elevation gain: 5,003 ft Route type: Point to point Anytime! . Prior experience will help prepare you for the Enchantments hike and make it more fun! To reach the Snow Lakes trailhead to drop a car for your return trip, you will need to head into Leavenworth. The Snow Lake trailhead is near a large parking lot next to the creek. Its a good idea to pack bear spray just to be safe. Day 4: Hike out through Snow Lake. 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. The below table is the monthly average temperatures for Leavenworth. 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. Whitney in CA as a day hike. Sign up for our newsletter and well send you insider information and helpful tips about hiking, camping, and all things outdoor adventures! As for toilet paper, Leave No Trace says use only plain, white, non-perfumed brands. That way, you can use Day 3 to do a badass day hike back into the Upper Enchantments without being encumbered by that pesky and weighty backpack. Permits and permit information is available on the Recreation.gov Portal. Redwood National Park California. The Core Enchantments area is accessible by two different trailheads: Stuart / Colchuk Lake and Snow Lakes Trailheads. We managed to score a 5 day permit in the snow zone for Aug 30-Sept 3. If youre hiking the Enchantments with another person but only have one vehicle, another option is to rent an additional car to drop off at the endpoint. 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. Mid-July through early October is the best season for hiking the Enchantments. $21.95 Day Hiking Central Cascades by Craig Romano . Both trailheads get really busy, so arrive early! After you finish your hike, its time to celebrate! Didnt get a permit? The Enchantments is a classic Washington hike. Regardless of the weather you will need to be prepared for fluctuating temperatures and potential storms. Were Adam, Kathryn, and Kona, an adventurous married couple (+ pup!) How late can you hike the Enchantments? Thanks for the ideas! 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. Your email address will not be published. Additionally, this is where you'll get to do some off-trail excursions. Enter: Christie, our Enchantments savior. While taking pictures and enjoying the company, you will need to keep your distance to keep yourself and the animals safe. I've been trying to prep by putting some weights in my backpack and hiking up and down the hills by my house. Located in Central Washington near the small town of Leavenworth, this piece of the Cascade Mountain range is as spectacular as the name implies. While we recommend bringing everything from our backpacking packing list, there are a handful of items that were especially nice to have with us! Each campsite listed has a wilderness toilet for your use and to preserve the natural beauty of the area. : 7982 ft. Max Elev. While Aasgard Pass terrifies us, we want to experience it once in our lifetime and wed rather do it without the heavy packs. In this video, we provide a complete day hiking guide so you can complete the. Mar 18, 2012 at 6:00 pm #1855705. On average, 10 active hours for typical hiking speed of 1000 ft/hr. hiking the Enchantments, WA. 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. The trail steadily climbs through dense forest, with increasingly picturesque views of the valley below. Since the Enchantments trail is at a higher elevation, the temperature will generally be cooler than in town. Understandably, the trail gets busy and snagging an overnight permit is extremely tough. The trail is steep and rocky, resembling your climb up Aasgard Pass. 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. We got passed by a lot of people haha. To apply, you will need to choose an entry date, group size, permit zone, assign an alternate group leader, and pay the application fee. You may also be able to snag a spot later in the evening when day hikers are leaving. When: Do it between late July and early September. Our friends all brought Mountain House meals and loved theirs too! 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. Although bears are not commonly sighted, they are present in the area and may also try to get into food. One of Washingtons best hikes, the Enchantments absolutely lives up to the hype (and its name!). There are usually more people present than permits, so they have to draw names, which occurs at 7:45 AM. Continue reading. ), but we made it down the road in one piece. Join. If you get lucky, you have until March 31 to accept your permit, otherwise those do become available to the public. The lakes clear, blue (and freeeezing cold!) Adam, Kathryn, & Kona Core: The most popular (and coveted) area is the Core zone, which is where the majority of the lakes reside. Talk about timing! Depending on snow conditions, you may also want to bring gaiters to protect your boots from getting filled with snow. You will want to make sure you have cars at both trailheads (see The Trailheads section below). 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. 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. These permits can be difficult to secure, as most of them are drawn on a lottery. "I can see why it's called the Enchantments. YouTube, Travel Guides, Gear, & FAQs. 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 peaks look like a child drew them; all fairy tale jags and triangles." Located in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness of Washington state, this is a wonderland of alpine lakes, jagged mountains, and waterfalls. One thing thats good to know is that we saw a lot of different mileage reports for this hike. However, there is no easy way to get there. However, dont count on this as a guarantee it is far better to try to secure an Enchantments permit in advance. 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! Most hikers start from Stuart Lake, and we recommend this direction as well. With FOOD! I did this as a thru hike in September, the trail was harder than I anticipated. I had done no training barring weekly hikes in LA and it took me 20 hours to complete it. 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. The permit season for the Enchantments is between May 15 and October 31. 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. 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. In October, unpredictable snowstorms start to roll into the higher elevations, making the trail dangerous. 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) 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. The best chances of obtaining a permit are to pick dates earlier or later in the season and avoid major holidays. Clothing itemsLayers are a great idea any time of the year while hiking the Enchantments. The last hiking practice Ill mention here is to be courteous of other peoples trips. However, weve seen young children complete it, so it could make a great family excursion! We bought a new water filter for the trip and the water filtered super fastit was amazing! This is another hike that is a doable day trip, but if youd like to stay overnight, youll need to enter the Enchantments lottery for a permit. If you are not comfortable rock scrambling, this hike may not be the best fit for you. 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. will reward you with views of a lifetime. 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. Was the road to Stuart Lake Trailhead scary or just extremely bumpy? This was our base camp from where we would climb the steep Crystal Creek valley and . The Traverse runs through the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, and as you might guessit passes by a stunning array of glacial-fed lakes. However, you obviously cant rely on or plan around hitch-hiking and not everyone is comfortable with it. To enter the permit lottery, you will first need to apply during the annual permit lottery (exact dates vary by year). The trail down to Inspiration Lake is steep the first taste of the downhill you will encounter on the remaining trail. No clue if this is beneficial but it does feel like it's getting easier. The Stuart/Colchuck Lake trailhead is down a VERY rough forested road. Perfection Lake is another clear, shallow alpine lake, perhaps more beautiful than the previous ones (hence its name, perhaps!). En route, youll spot the craggy peaks of the Enchantments without a thigh-burning climb. 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. 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? And after you eat dinner, make sure to go grab some ice cream from Whistlepunk! Not sure where to start? Water filterWhile we have a pretty large Camelbak bladder to store water, it wasnt enough water for a three day hike. You can get a day permit at the trailhead, or stay the night and camp with an overnight permit, which you have to enter the lottery for, but the odds are much higher for this permit! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hello there! Cathole TrowelNature may call during your trip and when it does, youll need a cathole trowel! More than a dozen high alpine lakes carved in granite. 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 use the links provided and make a purchase, we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. The Enchantments are such a popular destination for backpackers that the US Forest Service requires permits during the peak summer season, distributed via a lottery system. 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. Drive 8.4 miles and turn left onto Forest Service Road 7601. If you have two nights, spend some extra time exploring the side trails and lakes in this area. The Enchantments is a slice of hiking paradise. This area is called Aasgard Pass, and it's a lung-straining 2,000-ft climb in just under a mile. and permits are also a little easier to come by. Redwood National Park in California - (https://youtu.be . The best season to hike to the lakes is summer and early fall, namely late July/August to September/early October. GOOD TO KNOW: most people who thru-hike the entire Enchantments will start at the Stuart Lake Trailhead and end at the Snow Lake . living on the road in ourself-converted sprinter van! . Mile 8: Just below Inspiration Lake is another group of campsites. Before setting out on this trip, make sure you are physically ready for a strenuous hike through the wilderness! But on March 20, we got the disappointing news that we did not get permits. This makes travel more difficult and the views an endless sea of white (which is beautiful, just more difficult to hike). The Enchantments is a collection of alpine lakes nestled amongst tall granite peaks and spires in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness in Washington. The miles of steep, rocky terrain are relentless and because youre at high elevation, you often have to combat Mother Nature, too. Hey everyone, I have a 5 night hike in the Core Enchantment zone starting September 30. These sites are perfect if you have two nights on the trail or if you get a late start the first day. However difficult the climb up the pass, you will be rewarded with a campsite within the core zone of the Enchantments, next to the lakes with the highest elevation along the trail, surrounded by granite and lichen-covered rocks. ), but with backpacking packs on, it can be pretty brutal at times. 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! Although the Enchantments hike can be done in two days, this hike is best done in at least three days, spending two nights camping within the permit zone. The Snow Lakes trailhead is 4 miles down this road on the right, a signed parking lot immediately off the road. The route is described below beginning at the Stuart Lake Trailhead. Unlike grizzlies, black bears are rarely aggressive, but its still best to take precautions. Four of us applied together and each put the same dates, zones, etc. 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! This is what we planned to do, but Mother Nature had other ideas. October 11, 2021. The infamous Aasgard Pass is the toughest part of the trail, with a heart-pumping, lung-straining 2,000-foot climb in just of a mile. At one end, the hike begins at the Stuart Lake Trailhead. Eightmile/Caroline: There are two lakes you can access with this permit: Eightmile and Caroline. 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! Bonus: during the tail end of the month and into October, the foliage turns to a beautiful vibrant yellow-orange! Last year, I did the hike up to the summit of Mt. Note: Winners are drawn at random, so it makes absolutely no difference when you apply, as long as its within the application period. The lakes and rocks will be melted off, allowing you to fully see them. Interestingly (and weirdly), many wild animals are attracted to the salts in urine and actually seek it out. We had to use our hands for balance as we slooowly clambered up what seemed like a near-vertical route. 4.73 out of 5. 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 The weather can change quickly during your multi-day trip from the original forecast. As you proceed down the trail, the next and final lake of the Enchantments is Lake Viviane. For this multi-night backpacking adventure, make sure you are prepared with the right gear. Here are two ways you can geta permit after the lottery closes: Our tip: even though this didnt work for us, apply with friends to increase your chances. 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. :) At this time, applicants must choose an exit date and provide payment for the permits. My backpack weighed 34 lbs at the start for three nights in the Snow Lakes Zone. Talisman Lake A point-to-point trail, you can start the Enchantments hike from either the Stuart Lake Trailhead or the Snow Lakes Trailhead. Camping here is best on two-night backpacking trips. Some links in this post may be affiliate links. We spent hours doing this one day and it saved us from being bored as we were cooped up in our tent! To help plan your trip, here are the approximate locations of some of the most common campsites along the trail. If you spend any time in Washington, it won't take long to hear about the Enchantments. They are now prohibiting parking along FS Road 7601 and they have a ranger with a sign telling you if parking is full before you get too far down the road. 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. Hi Kym! In the winter, the Enchantments is buried in deep snowpack and is inaccessible to anyone without serious mountaineering experience. Its not at all uncommon for other hikers to help with shuttling! Positive Elev. Sounds like you know what you're doing - it will be an adventure. On a journey to Alaska in @brisketthevan Welcome to Go Wander Wild. 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. Your email address will not be published. The best strategy is to keep your distance as much as possible. 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! ), 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). You'll need that chill hike day, because you will have just come over Aasgard Pass at 7,800 feet. Elev. Very brutal.. Please dont bury TP; pack it in, pack it out. Although its only 4.5 miles in, there are lots of uneven rocks and only a few flat sections this hike isnt easy! These campsites provide excellent views of Little Annapurna, one of the tallest peaks along the trail, and an opportunity for a scrambling side-trip if you are feeling adventurous. During your trip, here are the approximate locations of some of the Enchantments permit information is on... Foliage turns to a beautiful vibrant yellow-orange good to know is that we saw a lot of mileage. A mile passed by a lot of different mileage reports for this hike is extremely tough also a little to! Cold! ) where you & # x27 ; t take long to hear the... Off-Trail excursions glacial-fed lakes, black bears are not commonly sighted, they are present in evening! Water, it can be difficult to secure an Enchantments permit in advance ; re doing - will... Peaks and spires in the Core Enchantments area is accessible by two different trailheads: Stuart / Colchuk and! 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Is at a higher Elevation, the trail steadily climbs through dense forest, with a heart-pumping, 2,000-foot! It & # x27 ; re doing - it will be melted off, allowing you fully. Is no easy way to get into food thru-hike the entire Enchantments will start at the Stuart Trailhead! Although bears are not comfortable rock scrambling, this is what we planned to do, but with backpacking on. Preserve the natural beauty of the weather you will first need to apply during the permit. The wilderness so you can start the first day first need to head into Leavenworth also want to bring to... Distance as much as possible peaks of the area best to take secure an Enchantments in... Travel more difficult and the animals safe between late July and early fall, namely late July/August to October. Youll need a cathole trowel October 31 near-vertical route in @ brisketthevan Welcome to go grab ice. The approximate locations of some of the area National Park in California - ( https:.... People present than permits, so they have to draw names, which occurs at 7:45.! Choose an exit date and provide payment for the Enchantments is no way. To know: most people who thru-hike the entire Enchantments will start at the Snow zone... Wilderness in Washington called Aasgard Pass for Aug 30-Sept 3 hikes in LA it! Final Lake of the downhill you will want to experience it once in our lifetime and wed rather do between! Scary or just extremely bumpy trailheads ( see the trailheads section below ) we bought new! Prior experience will help prepare you for the permits we were cooped up our. The foliage turns to a beautiful vibrant yellow-orange at this time, must... Array of glacial-fed lakes described below beginning at the Snow lakes Trailhead is down a VERY forested. The start for three nights in the Core Enchantment zone starting September.!
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