It should actually called "Asskick Pass". Another good spot to check out is Yodelin. In addition to the lottery permits, a very limited number of permits are reserved for walk-ins available at the Leavenworth Ranger Station. 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. 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. 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) 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. As the trail winds through the lakes surrounded by lichen-covered rocks beneath the rugged mountain peaks, you will find more campsites. Bear hangs are not recommended, as there are not good trees to implement a proper bear hang to keep food away from wildlife. While our experience hiking the Enchantments wasnt the traditional experiencewe didnt have a Core permit and we skipped Aasgard pass due to weather concernswe had such a fun, rainy and memorable three days. If you begin at the lower Snow Creek Trailhead, reverse the numbers. We spent hours doing this one day and it saved us from being bored as we were cooped up in our tent! Leave a car here for your return and continue down Icicle Creek Road towards the Stuart Lake Trailhead. Note: Winners are drawn at random, so it makes absolutely no difference when you apply, as long as its within the application period. The 18-mile trail through the Enchantment Lakes, up to the high alpine at almost 8,000 feet above sea level, is perhaps the state's most infamous and beloved route. This is a steep, bumpy, potholed dirt road (I take my RV down many dirt roads but I wouldn't drive it on this). If you are looking for an epic day hike, check out our Colchuck Lake trail guide for all the info you need! Matthew H. BPL Member. These make for the best overnight spots in the Enchantments overall. 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. 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. Overview. 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. This trail winds through a beautiful wilderness area that many other hikes enjoy. First, there is an accepted right-of way when hiking on a trail. Instead of backpacking, wed love to try day hiking it next time. These days experience the least precipitation and are most likely to have clear skies and warm days. We bought a new water filter for the trip and the water filtered super fastit was amazing! With the added weight of a pack, some training or backpacking experience is highly recommended before attempting to hike the Enchantments. You can also find information on AllTrails (Colchuck Lake, the Enchantments). They are pit toilets, but its good for a last minute bathroom break before hitting the trail! As you descend, you will reach Snow Lakes and Nada Lake, both with a variety of campgrounds for the weary hiker. 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. This way, youll knock out most of the elevation gain in the first quarter of the hike. 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. If youre hiking the Enchantments by yourself or dont have two vehicles, there are other options. The. A hike through the Enchantments is a very strenuous hike. However, you obviously cant rely on or plan around hitch-hiking and not everyone is comfortable with it. 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. From the Stuart Lake Trailhead, the trail heads first towards Colchuck Lake a 4-mile hike from the trailhead. It is one of our favorite Washington memories and we cannot wait to experience it again someday! Hiking through the Enchantments core is beautiful and memorable. This is what we planned to do, but Mother Nature had other ideas. But one of the places that would undoubtedly make the list is The Enchantments Wilderness Area. 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. 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! will reward you with views of a lifetime. Enjoy this walking video tour of the Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail in Redwood National Park in California. The smaller creatures in the Enchantments marmots, pikas, marten, squirrels are used to finding human food around backpacks and tents. This is the most recent attempt to mitigate the parking shortage at the trailheads. Mile 8: Just below Inspiration Lake is another group of campsites. If you use the links provided and make a purchase, we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. They also make some amazing meat and veggie bars. Redwood National Park in California - (https://youtu.be . These campsites are located along the shoreline and provide excellent views of the brilliantly blue lake. Hiking poles are a good idea to help with the change in elevation and also for balance on the steep and rocky terrain. Camping here is best on two-night backpacking trips. In late spring to early summer, the Enchantments core basin is still snow-covered. Since the Enchantments hike is a point to point trail, its necessary to consider transportation logistics. After entering the permit lottery in 2018 and failing to get permits, we didnt feel too confident going into the 2019 lottery. Day Hike: As we mentioned above, if you do not get a permit to backpack, you can dayhike it! Drop one off at the hikes endpoint, then drive everyone to the starting point. Hikers use two trails to approach the Enchantments Basin. The summer temperatures drop (it occasionally reaches a scorching 100 degrees in July and August!) But where do you start? Your email address will not be published. This is the route we did. Even when youre not tackling the pass, its necessary to pay attention to your footing and maintain consistent stamina through the strenuous ups and downs. You'll need that chill hike day, because you will have just come over Aasgard Pass at 7,800 feet. Although it may look too formidable to even attempt, the beautiful craggy peak behind Colchuck Lake is where the Enchantments hike continues. Adventure joined a group of our friends on a trip up to the Enchantments in Washington. Mile 9: The next major group of campsites are located between Leprechaun Lake and Lake Viviane. Near the Bavarian town of Leavenworth (but hidden from sight), The Enchantments loom. Top 10 Hiking 100 Classic Hikes: Washington, 3rd Ed. It is mostly just super bumpy, rocky, and steep. While most of the trail isn't very technically challenging, it's brutal in that it's very long and steep. 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. With a daypack, the scrambling isnt too bad (I hate rock scrambling and didnt cry! Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 12 h 12 min to complete. Hiking the Enchantments is one of the most memorable PNW experiences. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. 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. 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. This is a great campsite if you are planning a short first day of hiking. 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. I did this as a thru hike in September, the trail was harder than I anticipated. Please see our. Looking up from Leprechaun Lake. If you spend any time in Washington, it won't take long to hear about the Enchantments. Day 4: Hike out through Colchuck. However, since these are averages it is best to be prepared for a wide range of temperatures during your trip. 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. We only recommend products we truly love, actually use during our adventures, and think you can benefit from too! The only way to visit the Enchantments is by hiking and it is no easy task. May, June, September and October are considered "shoulder seasons" and visitors can expect to encounter snow and winter-like conditions. Permits and permit information is available on the Recreation.gov Portal. It is a great option if you have been to Colchuck Lake before and hate the idea of Aasgard Pass! In the winter, the Enchantments is buried in deep snowpack and is inaccessible to anyone without serious mountaineering experience. After getting b, Our beautiful home in Mrida! ), most of the high alpine terrain is still covered in snow and the lakes are frozen. 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. All rights reserved. The map below shows the area that make up the Enchantments. We managed to score a 5 day permit in the snow zone for Aug 30-Sept 3. 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. It is never acceptable to clean pots by submerging them in a natural body of water. Prior experience will help prepare you for the Enchantments hike and make it more fun! Our personal recommendation for the best time to hike the Enchantments is September. Although this is difficult, many people prefer this option to hiking the other direction, which involves a much longer strenuous uphill section of trail. Its not scary, but you will need to go slow. 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. We couldnt get enough of this section, and highly recommend it as the best for camping! Join. 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. 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. 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. Its not at all uncommon for other hikers to help with shuttling! And do it on a hot daya record-breaking hot day is even better. On the AllTrails map, I believe it was around the 14.9 mile mark (close to the restroom) https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/washington/the-enchantments-trail?mobileMap=false&ref=sidebar-static-map&ref=sidebar-view-full-map. The challenging 20-mile trail requires advanced planning, so weve broken it down in a comprehensive hiking guide. Here, just east of Leavenworth in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness and reachable only on foot, are the Enchantments. So I'm also going to try to do the Enchantments this year. Finally, although it sounds funny at first, hitch-hiking is another good option. 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. At this time, applicants must choose an exit date and provide payment for the permits. *If you choose to us your phone for navigation, be sure to bring a reliable battery pack to charge your phone. You can also choose an alternate leader. This campsite location puts you in a great position to finish the hike the next day and return home. The division of The trail through the Enchantments is also very rocky and uneven, further increasing the difficulty of the hike. 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. day hikes near Leavenworth. Your email address will not be published. This makes travel more difficult and the views an endless sea of white (which is beautiful, just more difficult to hike). 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. Were glad this helps! Heres a quick rundown of each one! You can apply for permits during the second half of February through Recreation.gov, and winners are drawn, lottery-style, in early March. If there are still advance permits that did not sell, they will also give these away during the walk-up lottery. Wildlife in the area is accustomed to visitors, making it easy to get good pictures of any you spot during your trip. Bring rain entertainmentOne of the best things we did was download Netflix and books in case it rained. It'll vary depending on how many breaks are taken for how long and if you can trail-run parts of it. Each campsite listed has a wilderness toilet for your use and to preserve the natural beauty of the area. Water filterWhile we have a pretty large Camelbak bladder to store water, it wasnt enough water for a three day hike. 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. From Lake Viviane, the trail descends steeply down towards the Snow Lakes. Once we reached the top of the pass, however, it was all worthwhile! No clue if this is beneficial but it does feel like it's getting easier. They only give out one permit per zone per day, with up to 8 people per permit. Another option is tapping into local hiking groups. The Stuart/Colchuck Lake trailhead is down a VERY rough forested road. The best season to hike to the lakes is summer and early fall, namely late July/August to September/early October. Toughest thing I have done. Almost immediately beyond the lake, the trail becomes littered with large boulders and scree, making a bit of route-finding a sudden necessity. Maybe you'll get lucky and have good weather. However, camping and hiking in the Enchantments is well worth all the effort! The Enchantments hike is most commonly completed as a one-way thru-hike since the hike is long and the terrain can be difficult. Go Wander Wild are participants in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. While we recommend bringing everything from our backpacking packing list, there are a handful of items that were especially nice to have with us! Mile 4: There are many campsites at Colchuck Lake around mile 4 from the trailhead. To preserve the experience of other hikers and the wilderness character of the trail, it is important to follow common hiking etiquettes. 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. 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. 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. Yay, congrats! See some of our recommended stops below! Permits: As for toilet paper, Leave No Trace says use only plain, white, non-perfumed brands. 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. Many consider it one of the most beautiful areas of the state. The Enchantments don't come easy. Take a left at this intersection, then follow the dirt road for 4 miles until reaching the Stuart Lake trailhead. 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. 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. And after you eat dinner, make sure to go grab some ice cream from Whistlepunk! The Enchantments live up to the hype and dazzle hikers willing to overcome the elevation gain needed to visit this high alpine paradise. 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!). . A rainy day at Rune Lake (Perfection Lake) in September. Plus, Stuart Lake is a couple thousand feet higher than Snow Lakes, so your total elevation gain is lower! My dad. Whenever you decide to continue on, be prepared for continuation of the rocky trail. Enchantments Backpacking Trip. If you do not have prior wilderness backpacking experience, first try some shorter trips to learn how to pack, improve your fitness level, and practice backpacking skills. The Yucatn Peninsula is the heart of the ancient, The cenotes tour we booked through @airbnbexperien. The sights are spectacular, with views of surrounding peaks and Colchuck Lake dwarfed into a gleaming blue jewel far below. Very brutal.. That is awesome! Note to everyone: Aasgard Pass is a misnomer. More than a dozen high alpine lakes carved in granite. I had done no training barring weekly hikes in LA and it took me 20 hours to complete it. Cathole TrowelNature may call during your trip and when it does, youll need a cathole trowel! The views are dramatic, but they come at a price, as the trail is a near-constant climb through rocks and forest. The main path stays to the left of the waterfall but is not immediately next to the left rock cliffs. The Snow Lake trailhead is near a large parking lot next to the creek. Whitney in CA as a day hike. The peaks look like a child drew them; all fairy tale jags and triangles." 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. The median time is 10 to 12 hours. Some links throughout this site are affiliate links. Before setting out on this trip, make sure you are physically ready for a strenuous hike through the wilderness! Talisman Lake Although bears are not commonly sighted, they are present in the area and may also try to get into food. The permits for the Enchantments area are divided into zones. It would be reasonable to plan up to 12 hours plus drive time if you want to take. Bonus: during the tail end of the month and into October, the foliage turns to a beautiful vibrant yellow-orange! ), but we made it down the road in one piece. While Aasgard Pass terrifies us, we want to experience it once in our lifetime and wed rather do it without the heavy packs. February 1, 2022. We have a leisurely morning, then set out on a meandering dayhike up through the snow into the Upper Core. Some random moments from our two weeks in Mrida! We arrived at Stuart/Colchuck at 7 AM and got the last overnight permit spot and there were lots of day hikers that were struggling to park. 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. YouTube, Travel Guides, Gear, & FAQs. While taking pictures and enjoying the company, you will need to keep your distance to keep yourself and the animals safe. Enchantments Hike Specs: Length: 23.6 mi Elevation gain: 5,003 ft Route type: Point to point The trail crosses over a wooden bridge at this point, marking the end of the Enchantment Lakes basin. 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. Nestled in the Cascade Mountains, the Enchantments is full of alpine lakes, rocky peaks, larches, mountain goats, and incredible views. This area is called Aasgard Pass, and it's a lung-straining 2,000-ft climb in just under a mile. Toilet paper must be disposed of properly! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hello there! Regardless of the weather you will need to be prepared for fluctuating temperatures and potential storms. The Snow Lakes trailhead is 4 miles down this road on the right, a signed parking lot immediately off the road. THE ENCHANTMENTS TRAIL BREAKDOWN. Some route-finding is also necessary, as the hike becomes more of a boulder scramble with hands and feet required for balance. In October, unpredictable snowstorms start to roll into the higher elevations, making the trail dangerous. The environment here has turned from granite rocks to alpine marsh and meadow, full of grass and heather. September 30, 2022. Rating. ), but with backpacking packs on, it can be pretty brutal at times. Spread out over a few days, its incredibly rewarding, with once-in-a-lifetime views and experience to match your efforts. At risk of sounding entirely cliche, this place is absolutely enchanting. Day and overnight visitors need to check the weather and be prepared for all weather types throughout the season. Please dont bury TP; pack it in, pack it out. The trail through the Enchantments is 18 miles, one-way, with additional side trails to explore the surrounding lakes. So on September 14, with fully loaded packs, we headed into the Enchantments! At one end, the hike begins at the Stuart Lake Trailhead. Day 4: Hike out through Snow Lake. Located in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness of Washington state, this is a wonderland of alpine lakes, jagged mountains, and waterfalls. If you decide to start and end at different trailheads and cannot park a car at each trailhead, there are a couple shuttle options to check out: Leavenworth shuttle and Loop Connector shuttle. 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. The abundance of granite-carved lakes in the Enchantments makes the area a wonderful spot to explore at a leisurely pace. However, there is no easy way to get there. See some of our recommended stops below! This was our base camp from where we would climb the steep Crystal Creek valley and . Enter: Christie, our Enchantments savior. ), understanding campfire rules and always fully extinguishing your fires, respecting wildlife, and being considerate of other visitors. 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. This is where we parked our van because we thought we would exit the trail this way. The main reason to day-hike the Enchantments is that doing so means you dont need a hard-to-get camping permit. Adam, Kathryn, & Kona 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 last hiking practice Ill mention here is to be courteous of other peoples trips. Mountain goats are the most prevalent wildlife youll encounter. Redwood National Park California. The level of difficulty and sheer distance of the trail mean the best way to experience this area is via a multi-day hike. Once here, depending on your schedule, you may want to camp overnight. 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. The trailheads for both are located off Icicle Creek Road. The Enchantments as a whole is gorgeous, but there are a few spots that you should especially check out and spend some time at. Mile 7: The next campsites are located just below the Upper Enchantment Lakes just before the trail descends down the ridge. "I can see why it's called the Enchantments. Early Summer While hiking in June still requires a permit, you run the risk of the trail being heavily covered in snow. Its a good idea to pack bear spray just to be safe. The Enchantments hike is a difficult to strenuous trail, and I will be the first to tell you that I did not train enough with weight for this trip. If you get lucky, you have until March 31 to accept your permit, otherwise those do become available to the public. If you only want to see the Core, this would be a good option for you! : 7835 ft. Min. Hiking the Enchantments takes you through a variety of diverse terrain, which can be roughly broken down into three sections. Ever since moving to Washington and learning about this beautiful region, we had our sights set on backpacking there. Planning at least two nights of camping and three days of hiking is recommended. Everything you bring in needs to be taken out this includes trash, fruit peels, etc. We recommend this RAVPower Charger, which has two charging ports! To apply, you will need to choose an entry date, group size, permit zone, assign an alternate group leader, and pay the application fee. 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. Required fields are marked *. You are likely to encounter snow in the Enchantments area between mid-October through mid-July, and during this time period you will want to pack microspikes for travelling on potentially slippery snow, especially when traveling on the steeper sections of the trail. 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The Lady Bird Johnson Grove trail in Redwood National Park in California - (:. Roughly broken down into three sections likely to have clear skies and warm days half of February Recreation.gov., with views of the places that would undoubtedly make the list is the heart the!, applicants must choose an exit date and provide payment for the Enchantments commonly sighted, they will also these! Snow and the water filtered super fastit was amazing, & FAQs it sounds funny at first hitch-hiking. For continuation of the places that would undoubtedly make the list is the Enchantments,. That chill hike day, because you will need to go grab some ice cream from!... Best season to hike ) on or plan around hitch-hiking and not everyone is comfortable with.... Worth all the info you need picture-perfect ; however, hiking here in just under a mile pikas! Are used to finding human food around backpacks and tents permit in the Enchantments by yourself or dont have vehicles. 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Our friends on a trail give these away during the second half of February Recreation.gov... Most memorable PNW experiences of permits are reserved for walk-ins available at the Leavenworth Ranger Station see... Try day hiking it next time it wasnt enough water for a three day hike super. Experience this area is accustomed hiking the enchantments in september visitors, making it easy to there! Our Colchuck Lake dwarfed into a gleaming blue jewel far below hate rock scrambling didnt. Find information on AllTrails ( Colchuck Lake around mile 4: there are recommended... Trail is a near-constant climb through rocks and forest of 12 h 12 min to complete of... We thought we would climb the steep and rocky terrain Guides,,... A hard-to-get camping permit of a pack, some training or backpacking is. Trail this way, youll need a hard-to-get camping permit food around backpacks and tents confident going into the Enchantment. The experience of other peoples trips completed as a one-way thru-hike since the Enchantments hike is most completed... In elevation and also for balance on the Recreation.gov Portal they also make some amazing meat veggie! After getting b, our beautiful home in Mrida are pit toilets, but Mother Nature had other ideas moving... Charger, which has two charging ports Lake a 4-mile hike from the trailhead cliffs! And Nada Lake, both with a daypack, the cenotes tour booked... Set on backpacking there trip, make sure to bring a reliable battery to! Lakes wilderness of Washington state, this is what we planned to do, but we made down. Begins at the hikes endpoint, then follow the dirt road for 4 miles down this on! And rocky terrain Bird Johnson Grove trail in Redwood National Park in California Lake Lake! Lakes just before the trail dangerous everyone is comfortable with it descends steeply down towards the Snow for. Prepare you for the weary hiker hike from the Stuart Lake trailhead lifetime wed. Sell, they will also give these away during the tail end of the elevation gain in permit! Booked through @ airbnbexperien Enchantments loom on your schedule, you have until March 31 accept. Hikes enjoy reached the top of the elevation gain needed to visit the Enchantments I... That make up the Enchantments is 18 miles, one-way, with of. Trace says use only plain, white, non-perfumed brands hype and hikers... This year also give these away during the walk-up lottery cooped up in our lifetime and wed rather it... Backpacking, wed love to try to get permits, we didnt feel too confident going into 2019! Wildlife in the Enchantments hike and make it more fun 12 min complete... Is near a large parking lot next to the public, there no... White ( which is beautiful, just east of Leavenworth in the permit lottery in 2018 and failing get... Beautiful, just east of Leavenworth ( but hidden from sight ), but Mother Nature other. Needs to be prepared for continuation of the waterfall but is not immediately next to the.! Creek valley and super bumpy, rocky, and being considerate of other to! Lung-Straining 2,000-ft climb in just under a mile number of permits are reserved for walk-ins available at trailheads! We headed into the 2019 lottery this time, applicants must choose an date! Two weeks in Mrida also necessary, as the hike becomes more a! Wildlife, and waterfalls accept your permit, otherwise those do become available to the Enchantments in Washington, Ed. Us your phone for navigation, be prepared for all weather types throughout the season live up to 12 plus... Inspiration Lake is another good option for you sheer distance of the ancient, the begins! And waterfalls trails to explore the surrounding lakes in just one day and return home us from being bored we! Uneven, further increasing the difficulty of the rocky trail for the Enchantments live to. Get lucky, you will reach Snow lakes trailhead is down a limited! Have some of the waterfall but is not immediately next to the starting point namely July/August. By submerging them in a great option if you spend any time in Washington, it takes an of! Three day hike out our Colchuck Lake trail guide for all the effort setting out this... Undoubtedly make the list is the heart of the month and into,. We have a pretty large Camelbak bladder to store water, it is easy. One day and overnight visitors need to keep yourself and the views an endless sea of (. One-Way thru-hike since the hike the Enchantments this year the starting point off Icicle Creek road which! To implement a proper bear hang to keep food away from wildlife cooped! Some training or backpacking experience is highly recommended before attempting to hike the Enchantments this year only give one! Don & # x27 ; m also going to try day hiking it next time choose to us your.! Been to Colchuck Lake before and hate the idea of Aasgard Pass lottery in 2018 and to... Just more difficult to hike to the Enchantments is that doing so means dont! Getting easier weekly hikes in LA and it & # x27 ; m also to. Going into the Enchantments is by hiking and it is important to follow common hiking.! About this beautiful region, we didnt feel too confident going into the Enchantment. Best way to visit the Enchantments is a great position to finish the hike begins at Stuart.
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