Permits are required for day and overnight use in this area. Once you finish hiking, you can use the vehicle at the end to go back and retrieve the other one. Redwood National Park California. The. 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. Drive 8.4 miles and turn left onto Forest Service Road 7601. Because of the popularity of the area, backpacking permits to camp in the core Enchantments area are required May 15-October 31st, and they are in high demand -- I've applied three years in a row without any luck. Arrive by 7:30 AM to enter the walk-up lottery. The maximum group size is 8 people. We were so thankful we brought layers as we froze during the hike. The challenging 20-mile trail requires advanced planning, so weve broken it down in a comprehensive hiking guide. 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. $21.95 Day Hiking Central Cascades by Craig Romano . Cathole TrowelNature may call during your trip and when it does, youll need a cathole trowel! However, camping and hiking in the Enchantments is well worth all the effort! Viewing 13 posts - 1 through 13 (of 13 total) Jun 24, 2014 at 7:44 am #1318302. We managed to score a 5 day permit in the snow zone for Aug 30-Sept 3. The environment here has turned from granite rocks to alpine marsh and meadow, full of grass and heather. We couldnt get enough of this section, and highly recommend it as the best for camping! My backpack weighed 34 lbs at the start for three nights in the Snow Lakes Zone. Most people prefer to backpack in the Enchantments during the summer months, to enjoy the clear blue lakes and granite rocks. To reach the Snow Lakes trailhead to drop a car for your return trip, you will need to head into Leavenworth. When to Hike The Enchantments. The trailheads for both are located off Icicle Creek Road. The Snow Lake trailhead is near a large parking lot next to the creek. While its entirely possible to hike the trail in a single day (remember, weve done it! Adding to the challenge, the descent is often more demanding than the ascent, since the uneven footing strains the legs. Check out our 37 favorite hikes in Washington! Didnt get a permit? The trail is steep and rocky, resembling your climb up Aasgard Pass. On average, 10 active hours for typical hiking speed of 1000 ft/hr. Negative Elev. Positive Elev. $18.95 Alpine Lakes East Stuart Range, WA No. Although its only 4.5 miles in, there are lots of uneven rocks and only a few flat sections this hike isnt easy! The level of difficulty and sheer distance of the trail mean the best way to experience this area is via a multi-day hike. This trail gains a modest amount of elevation, at 2300 feet, but this is just the beginning of the hike. With your permit you will receive special parking permits for each of the trailhead, allowing you to park in designated spots for permitees. Alltrails says that from Stuart/Colchuck trailhead to the Snow Lake trailhead it is 23.6 miles, but we confirmed with a ranger during our hike that it is 19. However, space on the shuttles is limited and they dont always operate on weekdays, so its best to book well in advance. May, June, September and October are considered "shoulder seasons" and visitors can expect to encounter snow and winter-like conditions. The miles of steep, rocky terrain are relentless and because youre at high elevation, you often have to combat Mother Nature, too. The lakes and rocks will be melted off, allowing you to fully see them. Wildlife in the area is accustomed to visitors, making it easy to get good pictures of any you spot during your trip. In October, unpredictable snowstorms start to roll into the higher elevations, making the trail dangerous. 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. Although it may look too formidable to even attempt, the beautiful craggy peak behind Colchuck Lake is where the Enchantments hike continues. Weve gathered our 21 favorite Washington State hikes here, including hikes of all levels, to get you prepped for tackling the Enchantments hike! Weve done multi-day hikes in the area (after obtaining the illustrious Enchantments Wilderness Permit), and weve also thru-hiked this 19-mile trail in one day. Some borderline masochistic types will choose to hike or trail run the 19-mile one-way route in a single day. And to watch our experience, check out our vlog below! After entering the permit lottery in 2018 and failing to get permits, we didnt feel too confident going into the 2019 lottery. Day 4: Hike out through Colchuck. If you have two nights, spend some extra time exploring the side trails and lakes in this area. 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. With a daypack, the scrambling isnt too bad (I hate rock scrambling and didnt cry! Directions To Stuart Lake Trailhead: Drive the US2 west out of Leavenworth. It is one of our favorite Washington memories and we cannot wait to experience it again someday! Perfection Lake is another clear, shallow alpine lake, perhaps more beautiful than the previous ones (hence its name, perhaps!). This will give you time to cool off and avoid hiking in the heat of the day. We coordinated with two friends (Yvonne and Jeffrey) on the dates we wanted, zones we wanted to apply for, and other logistics. In this video, we provide a complete day hiking guide so you can complete the. 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. Unfortunately, weve missed out on all our other attempts at the lottery (some locals joke that the lottery is their annual donation). Mile 6: Once you pass Colchuck Lake, you will have to ascend Aasgard Pass before finding the next campsites near Isolation and Tranquil Lakes. Permits: *If you choose to us your phone for navigation, be sure to bring a reliable battery pack to charge your phone. 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. Even if you dont see other hikers, there are probably other people who can hear your music. Please see our. We got there late afternoon on a Saturday and snagged that spot, which fit 6 of us with plenty of other space and was an easy walk down to the lake to get water. Toilet paper must be disposed of properly! Note: Winners are drawn at random, so it makes absolutely no difference when you apply, as long as its within the application period. These permits can be difficult to secure, as most of them are drawn on a lottery. A hike through the Enchantments is a very strenuous hike. Its also important to note theres a lot to consider before hiking the Enchantments. The trail continues to be rocky and steep and several sections require scrambling using both hands and feet. 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. 25. r/hiking. Mid-July through early October is the best season for hiking 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. Can you drive to the enchantments? In the winter, the Enchantments is buried in deep snowpack and is inaccessible to anyone without serious mountaineering experience. There are numerous epic campsites along the trail; however, where you can camp overnight depends strictly on the permit you receive. This website contains affiliate links from websites such as Amazon.com, Booking.com, and Rentalcars.com. Where did yall set up your tent and take that photo from the inside looking out??? All rights reserved. There are so many spots youll want to sit and relish the view! Bear hangs are not recommended, as there are not good trees to implement a proper bear hang to keep food away from wildlife. Were glad this helps! As is the case with almost all hikes in the Pacific Northwest, you need to wait for the snow to melt for this hike to be do-able. The summer temperatures drop (it occasionally reaches a scorching 100 degrees in July and August!) That is awesome! The permits for the Enchantments area are divided into zones. There are five total regions: Eightmile/Caroline, Stuart, Colchuck, Core, and Snow. Ambitious day hikers will be richly rewarded for tackling all 20 miles in a day. The setting is picture-perfect; however, hiking here in just one day from Stuart Lake is challenging. Prior experience will help prepare you for the Enchantments hike and make it more fun! The best time to go hiking in the Enchantments is mid-July through early October. 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. You may also be able to snag a spot later in the evening when day hikers are leaving. View more hiking details on Washington Trails Association for both Colchuck Lake and the whole Enchantments enchilada. Ensure you know the correct routes and have the gear to keep you safe. If you are not comfortable rock scrambling, this hike may not be the best fit for you. If you only want to see the Core, this would be a good option for you! But one of the places that would undoubtedly make the list is The Enchantments Wilderness Area. Over the years, the hike has become increasingly popular, making winning a permit in the lottery almost like winning the actual lottery. The Enchantments are an absolutely amazing alpine wonderland located in central Washington state. Many consider it one of the most beautiful areas of the state. We had to use our hands for balance as we slooowly clambered up what seemed like a near-vertical route. You will want to make sure you have cars at both trailheads (see The Trailheads section below). See some of our recommended stops below! The best strategy is to keep your distance as much as possible. The elevation gain and loss are large, meaning that you will be working hard at most points during your hike. And highly recommend it as the best fit for you uneven rocks and a. The places that would undoubtedly make the list is the Enchantments during the summer temperatures drop ( occasionally. Area is accustomed to visitors, making it easy to get good pictures of you... Is one of the state winter, the Enchantments keep your distance as much as possible need head... 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