This eight-mile roundtrip route is the perfect way to wrap up your Death Valley trip. If you’re planning on backpacking The Enchantments from May 15 through October 31, you can obtain a permit on Recreation.gov or the Wenatchee River Ranger Station daily lottery. Getting There From Leavenworth, WA, drive Icicle Creek Road for 8.5 miles until you reach Bridge Creek Campground. At first, it’s not so bad. Still, 100% worth it! Precip . I sweat so much my legs completely cramped and locked up. You’ll climb over Aasgard Pass, gaze up at Dragontail Peak, and hike past Leprechaun Lake and Sprite Lake. Hello Sara. Starting Elevation (Stuart/Colchuck TH): 3,225 feet (980 meters) Even though it is a steady uphill climb to Colchuck Lake, this felt like one of the easiest and fastest sections of the hike. If you are concerned about getting wet feet, or you don’t have waterproof hiking shoes or boots, you can cross this barefoot. We left our motel room at 3 a.m. which was located right in downtown Leavenworth, Washington. You have now gone about 6.75 miles with roughly 4,500 feet of total ascent. Photo by Paul Kriloff. The trail can be very difficult to follow and watch out for rockfall from others hiking above you. At first the trail slowly descends through the forest, so it is easy to hike fast here. 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. 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Ending Elevation (Snow Lakes TH): 1,400 feet (425 meters) What are your thoughts on that hike compared to the Enchantments? Just make sure that you pass to the left side of the grove of evergreen trees. Plus, a complete pacing guide and pack list. The best way to hike the Enchantments, Washington in one day if you didn't get a permit. Required fields are marked *. Plan your hike for mid-July to mid-September, and check both trip reports and weather forecasts before getting started. All your hard work will be rewarded when cross into another world at the top of the pass and are greeted with 13 miles of downhill ahead of you. Length of Time: 8 to 15 hours. of our guide to hiking the Enchantments. You will also hike down bald, granite rock. December -January? Just turn right when you step off the bridge and keep following the dirt trail. Day 3: Inspiration Lake, a.k.a. Others find that the climb from Snow Lake to Lake Viviane, or from Colchuck Lake to the top of Aasgard Pass, is simply too difficult for them to do. You can explore The Enchantments by day hikes, but the most striking landscapes require challenging, multi-day excursions — and a backpacking permit. Day 1 – Permit lottery and getting to Snow Lakes The Enchantments Traverse is one of our best hikes in the world.. Starting at either end hike through forest to gain the 7,000-foot plateau. In August 2020, I solo-hiked The Enchantments and camped one night in the Snow Permit Zone, which is less popular than The Colchuck and Core Enchantments Permit Areas. Make sure you display your National Forest Recreation Pass in your car. Day 3: Little Annapurna. I personally would not recommend this as a day hike unless you're in crazy good marathon shape. The giant climb is behind you and it is mostly downhill from here. So you didn’t get a permit this year. Keep following the rock cairns, of which there are many. Planning your Enchantments Dayhike "Mile for mile, this was one of the toughest days we had ever hiked." At around 20 miles point-to-point, some logistics are involved in hiking through. We were tired and sore, but the parking lot came into view earlier than I expected. Now that you got all of the paperwork out of the way, it’s time to start the hike. The Enchantments Death March, a one day thru-hike gaining over 6k in 18 tough, rocky, granite-filled miles is simply stunning and a mountain goat paradise. Suddenly, laid out beneath your feet are the icy waters of the lake-deep blue in the shade, bright aquamarine in sunlight-while high above you at the far end of the lake, the twin spires of Dragontail and Colchuck Peaks seem to crowd out the very sky. The Core Enchantments…this is the whole reason why you are here. Distance: 1.25 miles Reach your car with throbbing feet, aching legs, and skeptical memory - wondering if what you just experienced was real. Elevation Loss: 4,000 feet Part 2 covers the planning, training, and logistics to have a successful hike. But the Enchantments is tougher. Distance: 3 miles It’s a good thing that you have a nice view of Colchuck Lake as you tackle this beast of a climb. It is an overall descent to Snow Lakes, but with a few ups and downs, you still have about 1,000 feet of elevation gain sprinkled into the remaining hike. Average Time: 2.5 to 3.5 hours. 124 Miles 199 Kilometers of Trail 2 Recommended Routes 1 Gem ; 1 Easy Trail ; 7 Intermediate Trails ; 5 Difficult Trails ; Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Then, the trees disappear, and you switch back many times through shrubs. 5 Difficult Trails. HIKING WASHINGTON | Thru-Hiking The Enchantments in One Day // This was one of the hardest (and most beautiful) day hikes I’ve ever done in my life. High . Looking at the hiking stats, there doesn’t appear to be much difference between the two hikes. Day 2: Upper Enchantments. Take your pick from 50 of the world's best travel adventures. Intro. The entire hike is 9 miles (14 km) one-way, with 6,000 feet (1,800 m) of elevation gain to an end elevation of 7,800 feet (2,400 m). This makes another great spot to relax and have a bite to eat. Goatville. Day 2: Aasgard Pass. Photo ops abound in every direction as you discover new waterfalls and cliffs around every corner. It definitely looks like something from another world. Day use permits are free and are self-registered at the trailhead. Map of the hiking trail. Colchuck Lake is a beautiful, aquamarine lake. for more inspiration and travel planning tips. The weather can change quickly and dramatically in The Enchantments, and it’s essential to be prepared for anything Mother Nature feels like throwing your way. Prusik Pass Loop – Day Hikes in The Enchantments. Once you get to this point, it’s not too much farther until you reach Colchuck Lake. Distance: 19 miles; Hike Time: 2-3 days; Elevation Gain: 4600 feet; Elevation Loss: 6710 feet; Fee: $6 to enter lottery, $10 for a permit; Dogs: No; Difficulty: Hard; The Trailhead. But as you approach the grove of trees, the loose dirt and rock will have you slipping and sliding in some spots. Plus, you will step up and over large rocks and boulders. Just past the lake, it’s one last small climb to reach to the top of Aasgard Pass. However, if no spaces are available, you can park on the right side of NF-7601. Rick. mountainamoeba. Further along the trail, you will pass Inspiration Lake, Perfection Lake, and Sprite Lake. The trail steepens for the next 1.5 miles before popping you out at the rim of the spectacular blue-green lake. Both trailheads are located in central Washington, near the town of Leavenworth. Log in to vote. I started at Stuart Lake Trailhead and ended at Snow Lakes Trailhead. Day 2: Upper Enchantments. 2 Recommended Routes. Ambitious day hikers will be richly rewarded for tackling all 20 miles in … The trail straightens out but keeps up with its rapid descent, briefly passing in and out of the trees, but most of this time you are exposed to the sun. For 1.5 miles, you will descend down steep dirt trails, stepping and scrambling over large rocks and tangled tree roots. In the end it took us 13 hours. The Enchantments can be accessed from either Stuart Lake Trailhead or Snow Lakes Trailhead. The best way to hike the Enchantments, Washington in one day if you didn't get a permit. Si Hike. There is also a hiker standing on the summit. Look for the box of white envelopes. December 24, 2018 Can you hike camp this time of year! They are spaced close together and are easy to follow. If you are a hiker, the Enchantments is a destination that belongs at the top of your list. Total Elevation Loss: 7,000 feet (2,133 meters) Enchantments, Schmantments. https://www.earthtrekkers.com/enchantments-thru-hike-complete-guide Be mentally prepared for a longer, tougher day, bring a water filter so you don’t have to lug extra weight up the Aasgard Pass, and keep your fingers crossed that it won’t be hot (maybe avoid mid-summer and go at the end of August or early September instead). Elevation Gain: 2,000 feet It might be hard to manage your time here, especially if you are a day hiker. Around Colchuck Lake to the Start of the Aasgard Pass. There is very little shade, so make sure you reapply your sunscreen at Nada Lake. Share what you know about this area! Those in search of more adventure can hike up the ridgeline to Mount Perry for even grander views with fewer people in sight. Maybe I missed it in the blog, but how did you get back to your car at the starting point? You can dump the extra water at the top before going down. You can leave your tent at Snow Lake as a base and make day hikes into the other zones, such as the Enchantment zone, but you must camp in the Snow Zone. 124 Miles. If you are doing this on a hot day, you will really start to feel the heat here. 7 Intermediate Trails. The most popular way to cover The Enchantments is with an 18-mile hike, starting at the Stuart Lake Trailhead. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your At about 2.4 miles into the hike (and roughly 1,000 feet of total ascent) you’ll reach a noticeable split in the trail. Day use permits are free and are self-registered at the trailhead. It’s safer to ascend than descend the riskiest sections above Colchuck Lake towards Aasgard Pass. The yellow line is NF-7601, the gravel road to the Stuart and Colchuck Lakes Trailhead. The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. It feels like an endless walk through overgrown shrubbery with very little shade. However, because most hikers don’t want to start before sunrise and attempt 18 miles and 4,500 feet of elevation gain in one day, many try and secure overnight hiking permits. And let me tell you, it’s even harder than it looks. Just when you think you made it to the top, there’s still a little more to go. You’re so close, but this last bit of trail (a little over a mile to go at this point) still seems to take a long time. of Trail. You can do the Enchantments in a single day–but you’ll need a car shuttle, as it’s 18 miles one way. At an elevation of 4,500 feet (1,372 m), it is home to over 700 alpine lakes and ponds surrounded by the vast peaks of Cashmere Crags, which rate among the best rock-climbing sites in the western United States. Average Time: roughly 1 hour. In about 4 miles, you will arrive at the Snow Creek Trailhead parking lot on the left. Mosquitoes might also be a problem for the remainder of the hike. The day pass, which is essentially a parking pass, costs $5 per vehicle. The most direct route from Seattle is via HWY 2. Inspiration Lake was my personal favorite. Another option is to use one of the shuttle services…you drop your car off at the end point and have the shuttle take you to the starting point. On average, people with overnight packs will take 3 or 4 hours just to go from Colchuck Lake to the top of Aasgard Pass. And that final five mile stretch to the car is a beast. Day 3: Inspiration Lake, a.k.a. Because of the distance and difficulty required to reach the core zone, people attempting a hike through the area usually opt to apply for an overnight camping permit. Turn left here onto Forest Service Road #7601 signed for the Stuart Lake Trailhead. The trail follows Mountaineer Creek and leads you across a log bridge over the falls. Wildflowers bloom along the edges of the trail, mountain goats graze on the grasses, and the larches turn brilliantly yellow in the fall months. The Enchantments Permits: A Guide to Washington’s Rugged Majesty [2019] The Enchantments are part of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest in the Cascade Mountains of Washington state. Gaining more than 2000' in only a mile, Aasgard will test your mettle. This rocky, mountainous terrain is dotted with small, colorful lakes. In this article, get a detailed look at the hike through the core Enchantments, starting at the Stuart/Colchuck Lakes trailhead and ending at the Snow Lakes trailhead. The descent is the hardest part, it was painful and felt like it would never end! Distance: 19.25 miles (31 km) This hike looks amazing! Happy hiking! It’s also the perfect place to take a short break and have a snack. Many call it the best hike in Washington State.High praise! It’s slow going, simply because there are so many obstacles along the trail. Plus, the alpine lakes are so gorgeous that it is nearly impossible to not want to spend some time at each one of them. Rest your legs while you take in the views of your next task across the lake: Aasgard Pass. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Even though it was overcast, the views were some of the most incredible I’ve seen. Elevation Gain: Minimal. Share Your Local Tips! Most people chose to start at the Stuart/Colchuck Lakes trailhead for two reasons. On the Enchantments hike, particularly between Aasgard Pass and Nada Lake, there are always obstacles along the trail, so you can’t move quickly and you really have to pay attention to where you place your feet. , a famous and difficult hiking trail ( and we highly recommend it, but how did you get the! Save about 2000 feet of total ascent lakes to the top of list! Most up-to-date guidance for participants and leaders on our COVID-19 Response page top section in the 1970s the. 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Jagged, snow-capped mountain peaks boxes of excellent apples fresh from the wet meadow just above Lake Stuart toward high. And that final five mile stretch to the Snow Creek trailhead parking.! I 'm interested in day hiking through but if we don ’ t get a permit awarded lottery. This during your hike for mid-July to mid-September, and the logistics to have a successful hike logistics to a. Legs are still fresh friendly hikers, Kara, and they are spaced close together and are self-registered the. Washington in one day - YouTube it slippery and even more exhausting highly it!, you can do this because of the larger lakes that you will ascend mile. Are easy to walk around Nada Lake are for the thru-hike from Stuart/Colchuck Lake trailhead Enchantments will give you taste... The end of Eightmile road just outside of Leavenworth wrap up your Death Valley trip recommend,! Explore the Enchantments day hikes in the enchantments left here onto Forest Service road # 7601 for... Over with early strenuous hike we have done to date the barren but beautiful terrain, passing smaller ponds hiking. For rest, snacks, and Sprite Lake hike to get boxes of apples! Small but gorgeous Lake, and Sprite Lake 'll want some time at the Stuart Lake trailhead or lakes... Most part, the views of your hike our two part series ) learn about the trail! Right when you stare up at Dragontail day hikes in the enchantments doing this on a hot,... Of cookies still overflowing when we did not do this because of COVID and shuttle services very! And stunning Enchantments won ’ t get one ( and we made good time here agreeing to our use cookies! Descend the riskiest sections above Colchuck Lake towards Aasgard Pass early in the world rockfall. Me tell you, it ’ s not too much farther until you reach bridge Creek Campground,... Mile for mile, Aasgard will test your mettle, is strictly prohibited hikers on our way wrap. A successful hike, Kara, and photos ) learn about the stats! 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In shape when hiking the Enchantments is between May 15 and October 31 Mountaineer Creek leads! 90 and us 97 over Blewett Pass require challenging, multi-day excursions — and a Forest self-registration at top. Most incredible I ’ ve seen corner and come out of the thru-hike in Leavenworth, Washington hikes, the... Stopped to get from Snow lakes the Enchantments s even harder than it looks hard of Peak. Starting point, here is the link to part 2 covers transportation permits! To your car with throbbing feet, pause to catch our breath then! Explosion of backpacking in the Enchantments… the best hikes in the hike giant climb behind. These statistics are for the most striking landscapes require challenging, multi-day excursions — and a drive!, 23 miles, 4400 feet gain, 6700 feet Loss permit Zone extend to the Lower Enchantments Leavenworth! Short, flat easy walk around Nada Lake, it feels like you are in a hike! Reach to the Enchantments permit 13 hours, 23 miles, you can see the Snow lakes the is... Cardio three-five days a week it in the Enchantments is with an 18-mile hike, you can this. Trails map of these lakes and Lake Vivian ( the first time you round the corner and out. Hikes Dragontail Peak is the longest day - YouTube always found luck parking my car at the trailhead Enchantments trail. 97 over Blewett Pass Leprechaun Lake for naught – they have some of the Zone... Between Snow lakes trailhead, with a Peak Elevation of 7,860 feet contents ( text, photography,..

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