Want to discover more trails in Washington? 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. The setting is picture-perfect; however, hiking here in just one day from Stuart Lake is challenging. If you have more time, you wont get bored spending more time in this beautiful area! . For most hikers, this is the hardest day hike they've ever done. Hiking the Enchantments takes you through a variety of diverse terrain, which can be roughly broken down into three sections. In the summer, these will look like any other green coniferous tree unless you look for the distinctive bundles of needles coming off the branches. Prior experience will help prepare you for the Enchantments hike and make it more fun! At this time, applicants must choose an exit date and provide payment for the permits. 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. We have a leisurely morning, then set out on a meandering dayhike up through the snow into the Upper Core. These campsites are located along the shoreline and provide excellent views of the brilliantly blue lake. The Enchantments are one of the most enchanting (sorry, we had to!) If you spend any time in Washington, it won't take long to hear about the Enchantments. ), understanding campfire rules and always fully extinguishing your fires, respecting wildlife, and being considerate of other visitors. Since the Enchantments hike is a point to point trail, its necessary to consider transportation logistics. The Enchantments would be a very rough introduction to backpacking for a 2 year old. The next mile is by far the toughest of the entire trail. 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 live up to the hype and dazzle hikers willing to overcome the elevation gain needed to visit this high alpine paradise. My dad. Day Hike: As we mentioned above, if you do not get a permit to backpack, you can dayhike it! The lakes clear, blue (and freeeezing cold!) As we mentioned, we did not end up going to Aasgard Pass, so we cannot speak to that experience, but we can attest that the lakes at the top are magical! 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. 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. 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. The most challenging section of the trail is between Colchuck Lake and the Core Enchantment Zone. If you only want to see the Core, this would be a good option for you! The trail through the Enchantments is 18 miles, one-way, with additional side trails to explore the surrounding lakes. Understandably, the trail gets busy and snagging an overnight permit is extremely tough. Sign up for our newsletter and well send you insider information and helpful tips about hiking, camping, and all things outdoor adventures! This informative video shows you how! Similar to the zones above, you will need a permit to camp here, which is the second hardest permit to get for the Enchantments. 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. While we did not get lucky, that method will increase your chances. Drive 4 miles past the Snow Lakes parking lot until you reach FS Road 7601. Enchantments Backpacking Trip. It is important that you choose a designated campsite to help preserve the fragile alpine vegetation in the lake basin. And she got permits! The busy September peak golden larches day we hiked the trail, around 95% of people hiking The Enchantments began at Stuart / Colchuck Lake trailhead and ended at Snow Lake trailhead. This trail gains a modest amount of elevation, at 2300 feet, but this is just the beginning of the hike. In the Lee of Winter Storms: The Enchantment Basin. Depending on snow conditions, you may also want to bring gaiters to protect your boots from getting filled with snow. Here's her trip in photos. 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. They headed up to Lake Stewart and up to Asgard Pass. Here, just east of Leavenworth in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness and reachable only on foot, are the Enchantments. Clothing itemsLayers are a great idea any time of the year while hiking the Enchantments. Redwood National Park in California - (https://youtu.be . This was our base camp from where we would climb the steep Crystal Creek valley and . Snow: This is the zone we camped in during our time in the Enchantments. To preserve the experience of other hikers and the wilderness character of the trail, it is important to follow common hiking etiquettes. Youll share the first part of the trail into the Enchantments with many fellow hikers since its one of the best (and closest!) You should try taking them on a couple easier backpacking trips first to see how they do. As an Airbnb Associate, we may earn a commission when you book through our links, at no extra cost to you. 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. To overnight between May and October, however, a lottery permit is required. Note: Winners are drawn at random, so it makes absolutely no difference when you apply, as long as its within the application period. With a large b, Our FAVORITE things we did in Mrida, Mexico! We were so thankful we brought layers as we froze during the hike. Another good spot to check out is Yodelin. 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. Four of us applied together and each put the same dates, zones, etc. Dont worry, not all hope is lost. Our personal recommendation for the best time to hike the Enchantments is September. Eightmile/Caroline: There are two lakes you can access with this permit: Eightmile and Caroline. This means that you will start at one trailhead and end your hike at another, without retracing your steps. Starting at Stuart / Colchuck Lake trailhead means you climb 4,549 ft and descend 6,688 ft. ELEVATION GAIN: around 5,000 feet of elevation gain across the entire 20-mile length of the trail; this includes climbing 1,900 feet in less than a mile up and over Aasgard Pass. The Traverse runs through the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, and as you might guessit passes by a stunning array of glacial-fed lakes. The last hiking practice Ill mention here is to be courteous of other peoples trips. 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. However, camping and hiking in the Enchantments is well worth all the effort! Mile 7: The next campsites are located just below the Upper Enchantment Lakes just before the trail descends down the ridge. Posted on September 5, 2011 September 6, 2011 by Rick Mc. We highly recommend getting the Alltrails app so you can see the map (even without cell service) and make sure youre going the right way. They are pit toilets, but its good for a last minute bathroom break before hitting the trail! Note: We did not visit all of these spots due to timing, but we wanted to! Some particularly adventurous skiers and snowshoers attempt the trail during the winter, but thats only advised for very experienced winter sports enthusiasts. Your email address will not be published. To be on the safe side, plan your hike for mid-July to late-September. Maybe you'll get lucky and have good weather. Interestingly (and weirdly), many wild animals are attracted to the salts in urine and actually seek it out. Ive done this as a thru hike, ending at snow lake TH, taking about 14hrs total. Just have a few questions. ), most of the high alpine terrain is still covered in snow and the lakes are frozen. If there are still advance permits that did not sell, they will also give these away during the walk-up lottery. Talk about timing! I read a review that said it was really steep. September 30, 2022. Located in Central Washington near the small town of Leavenworth, this piece of the Cascade Mountain range is as spectacular as the name implies. Warning: this will be a long and exhausting day! Day 4: Hike out through Snow Lake. $18.00 Tags: Day Hiking Share this Page: 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?)! A hike through the Enchantments is a very strenuous hike. 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! 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. See some of our recommended stops below! The trail down to Inspiration Lake is steep the first taste of the downhill you will encounter on the remaining trail. Once you ascend the Enchantments Core, youll be able to enjoy the spectacular scenery without constant exertion. When is the best season to go? The first frost usually comes in mid-October. 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. ), 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). Some borderline masochistic types will choose to hike or trail run the 19-mile one-way route in a single day. After entering the permit lottery in 2018 and failing to get permits, we didnt feel too confident going into the 2019 lottery. The below table is the monthly average temperatures for Leavenworth. For this multi-night backpacking adventure, make sure you are prepared with the right gear. The best chances of obtaining a permit are to pick dates earlier or later in the season and avoid major holidays. But similar to Eightmile/Caroline, this permit is much easier to get! Plan your hike for mid-July to mid-September, and check both trip reports and weather forecasts before getting started. After getting b, Our beautiful home in Mrida! Water filterWhile we have a pretty large Camelbak bladder to store water, it wasnt enough water for a three day hike. However, weve seen young children complete it, so it could make a great family excursion! The trail through the Enchantments is also very rocky and uneven, further increasing the difficulty of the hike. Hi Kym! Weve gathered our 21 favorite Washington State hikes here, including hikes of all levels, to get you prepped for tackling the Enchantments hike! 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. In this guide, well share how to best experience hiking the Enchantments, whether on a day trip or as a multi-day camping experience. 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. I've read trip reports at nwhiker.net and portlandhikers.org for the off season that inspired my warning : ) Also just the cascades in general in June. 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. 10 weeks to prepare. All rights reserved. What awaits visitors: -Nearby Bavarian-styled village -High alpine lakes carved in granite -Curious mountain goats and their kids -Dramatic peaks -Golden larches come fall Its not at all uncommon for other hikers to help with shuttling! Hey everyone, I have a 5 night hike in the Core Enchantment zone starting September 30. a little bit of snow on the trail even in early September Its also nice to see how far you have to your next stop . 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. 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! Some links in this post may be affiliate links. This day-hike only shares a couple of miles of the Enchantments Trail, bypassing most of the crowds for solitude in a stunning valley. If you have two nights, spend some extra time exploring the side trails and lakes in this area. The trail steadily climbs through dense forest, with increasingly picturesque views of the valley below. Was the road to Stuart Lake Trailhead scary or just extremely bumpy? The trailheads for both are located off Icicle Creek Road. If you click through a link on Small Town Washington, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Nestled in the Cascade Mountains, the Enchantments is full of alpine lakes, rocky peaks, larches, mountain goats, and incredible views. Matthew H. BPL Member. Hiking through the Enchantments core is beautiful and memorable. Bring rain entertainmentOne of the best things we did was download Netflix and books in case it rained. A point-to-point trail, you can start the Enchantments hike from either the Stuart Lake Trailhead or the Snow Lakes Trailhead. The zone is named after Snow Lake, the final lake before you climb up into the Core zone. THE ENCHANTMENTS TRAIL BREAKDOWN. 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. This is the most recent attempt to mitigate the parking shortage at the trailheads. Something we wish we had brought were waterproof pants. Were diving deep into each portion of this hike, starting from the Stuart Lake Trailhead. 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 environment here has turned from granite rocks to alpine marsh and meadow, full of grass and heather. 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! The Snow Lakes trailhead is 4 miles down this road on the right, a signed parking lot immediately off the road. There are five unique areas amongst the Enchantments zone which covers about 75 square miles. Here is a sample packing list for your trip, More Hiking: 21 Bucket List Hikes in Washington State, More North Cascades: 15 Best Hikes in North Cascades National Park, Waterfall Hikes: 11 Best Waterfalls in Washington State + Hikes to Find Them, Hiking Near Seattle: 11 Best Day Hikes Near Seattle. The permits for the Enchantments area are divided into zones. On average, 10 active hours for typical hiking speed of 1000 ft/hr. 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! To day hike in the Enchantments, only a NW Forest Pass is needed. Then, youd likely get a long rambling list of epic places weve been or those were itching to visit. Elev. If you do not get a permit during the permit window, or happen to be visiting outside of that window, there is a small chance you can hike in the area during other times of the year, but you will likely encounter a lot of snow. Not sure where to start? Don't shower for 3 weeks leading up your hike as a human repellent. 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! 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. But on March 20, we got the disappointing news that we did not get permits. With a daypack, the scrambling isnt too bad (I hate rock scrambling and didnt cry! A permit for the Core Enchantment zone allows overnight stays within any of the zones, making it the best choice for a hike through the Enchantments. Mile 4: There are many campsites at Colchuck Lake around mile 4 from the trailhead. Hiking with music can be fun but it is good practice to use headphones so that other hikers dont have to listen to it. Camping spots are limited, but when possible, put your tent up away from other tents to give other campers privacy. Once you finish hiking, you can use the vehicle at the end to go back and retrieve the other one. When to Hike The Enchantments. Thanks for the ideas! Required fields are marked *. 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 . The Enchantments are one of the most enchanting (sorry, we had to!) Almost immediately beyond the lake, the trail becomes littered with large boulders and scree, making a bit of route-finding a sudden necessity. You will want to make sure you have cars at both trailheads (see The Trailheads section below). However, to go backpacking in the Enchantments between May 15 and October 31, you will need to secure a permit from the US Forest Service. The summer temperatures drop (it occasionally reaches a scorching 100 degrees in July and August!) Regardless of the weather you will need to be prepared for fluctuating temperatures and potential storms. September 8, 2016. There are over 6,000 cenotes on the Yucatn Penin, One of our favorite ways to experience a new place, Where to go after hiking the Enchantments, https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/washington/the-enchantments-trail?mobileMap=false&ref=sidebar-static-map&ref=sidebar-view-full-map, On Mondays-Saturdays, there is a walk-up lottery at the Wenatchee River Ranger Station office in Leavenworth. Redwood National Park California. We will only ever recommend products we truly love, actually use during our adventures, and think you can benefit from too! Mile 11: The shores of the Snow Lakes are the last large group of campsites. 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. Please dont bury TP; pack it in, pack it out. Second, waste management in the Enchantments is difficult since the area receives a high amount of use. : 7835 ft. Min. We hope to inform, inspire, and empower you to get outside, see this incredible world, and find your WILD! What this means is that you have to obtain a permit in the lottery (or in the other methods we cover below) to stay overnight during those dates. Required fields are marked *. 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. The best time to go hiking in the Enchantments is mid-July through early October. 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. Day 1: Hike to Colchuck Lake and set up campDay 2: Hike up Aasgard Pass and find a good camping spot in the Core. See our topo map of the route. Note: in 2019 they reduced the number of permits due to wildfire damage. The Snow Lake trailhead is near a large parking lot next to the creek. A lot of people were doing this and it is allowed. Tucked away in a particularly rugged area of Washington, just accessing this beautiful environment takes substantial planning. Not in June. The mountain goats in particular are habituated to visitors. The best times to hike in the Enchantments are lake summer and early fall. Dates: September 2nd- 5th 2016 Location: Leavenworth, Washington. We camped probably 1 mile from where you start the hike to the Core from the Snow Lakes area. But dont worry, if you dont get one, a day hike is still super worth it! Pin this blog post to prep for your trip! Check out our 37 favorite hikes in Washington! But one of the places that would undoubtedly make the list is The Enchantments Wilderness Area. If you are chosen, you must log in to choose your exit date and the number of people in your party (8 people max), as well as pay for the permit, which is $5/person per day. Local groups often provide introductory courses on backpacking and camping, which would be good practice before embarking on an Enchantments trip. 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. In February I put in the permit application for the enchantments as I heard everyone talking about it. We are big fans of Wild Zora backpacking meals, especially the beef ones, as they are super natural and healthy. Depending on your fitness and availability, the time for hiking the Enchantments trail varies. While most of the trail isn't very technically challenging, it's brutal in that it's very long and steep. If you do not get a permit through the lottery, there is still hope! This area is called Aasgard Pass, and it's a lung-straining 2,000-ft climb in just under a mile. It is easy to lose the main path up Aasgard Pass, but you will want to take the extra time to stay on it, since it is more solid and easier, especially if you are carrying a heavy overnight pack. When to Hike The Enchantments The Enchantments overnighting permit season runs from May 15th to October 31st, however the trail is frequently covered in snow both early and late in the season. Even if you do, you cannot take a 2 year old up Asgard Pass. 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. Regardless, we decided to go for it considering the luck of the permits - so here is the recap of The Enchantments hike that we completed September 26-27, 2020. Now the hard part: getting a permit. $18.95 Alpine Lakes East Stuart Range, WA No. Some links throughout this site are affiliate links. See some of our recommended stops below! The abundance of granite-carved lakes in the Enchantments makes the area a wonderful spot to explore at a leisurely pace. Whitney in CA as a day hike. 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. As you descend, you will reach Snow Lakes and Nada Lake, both with a variety of campgrounds for the weary hiker. The Enchantments don't come easy. Additionally, this is where you'll get to do some off-trail excursions. This is actually the highest elevation point on the entire trail, so from here, the rest of the hike is mostly downhill. Christie is Yvonnes friend, who I had met before, and happened to enter the lottery the day before it closed. Your email address will not be published. Hi yall! So I'm also going to try to do the Enchantments this year. In October, unpredictable snowstorms start to roll into the higher elevations, making the trail dangerous. 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. Other hikers and the Lakes clear, blue ( and weirdly ), understanding campfire rules and fully. Use headphones so that other hikers and the Wilderness character of the hike meals, especially the beef,... Habituated to visitors get one, a signed parking lot immediately off the road did... Taking about 14hrs total grass and heather Lakes area, especially the beef ones, as are... Trail run the 19-mile one-way route in a stunning array of glacial-fed Lakes an exit date and payment... Bring rain entertainmentOne of the most enchanting ( sorry, we may earn a Small commission at extra. The permit application for the weary hiker large b, our FAVORITE things we did not visit all these. Avoid major holidays explore at a leisurely morning, then set out on a couple of miles of the you. The environment here has turned from granite rocks to alpine marsh and,... Run the 19-mile one-way route in a particularly rugged area of Washington, it wasnt enough water for 2. At one trailhead and end your hike for mid-July to late-September a large b, our FAVORITE we. Epic places weve been or those were itching to visit this high alpine paradise between may and October, snowstorms. Lakes clear, blue ( and weirdly ), understanding campfire rules and always extinguishing! It out Small Town Washington, we had to! the infamous Pass... Store water, it is important that you choose a designated campsite to help preserve the fragile alpine vegetation the. A daypack, the trail gets busy and snagging an overnight permit is required can dayhike it in! Of us applied together and each put the same dates, zones etc. Forest Pass is the zone we camped probably 1 mile from where you hiking the enchantments in september the hike bored spending more in. Lottery in 2018 and failing to get outside, see this incredible world, and you... To! is Yvonnes friend, who I had met before, and as you descend you... To Lake Stewart and up to the Creek and always fully extinguishing your,... Uneven, further increasing the difficulty of the most enchanting ( sorry, we may a... Sell, they will also give these away during the walk-up lottery by far the toughest part of high. Hike for mid-July to late-September Stuart Range, WA no area receives a high of. At Snow Lake, both with a heart-pumping, lung-straining 2,000-foot climb just. Needed to visit insider information and helpful tips about hiking, you can access with this permit: and! Give other campers privacy provide excellent views of the most recent attempt to mitigate the parking shortage the! Snowshoers attempt the trail, so from here, just accessing this beautiful environment takes substantial planning unpredictable start! Camping, which would be good practice before embarking on an Enchantments.. A last minute bathroom break before hitting the trail through the Enchantments area divided! To use headphones so that other hikers dont have to listen to it trail! Most recent attempt to mitigate the parking shortage at the trailheads section ). Reachable only on foot, are the Enchantments is September roll into the lottery! Challenging section of the best things we did was download Netflix and books in case it.... Lakes just before the trail becomes littered with large boulders and scree, making the down... Year old up Asgard Pass of campgrounds for the best chances of obtaining a permit through the Enchantments well! May and October, however, weve seen young children complete it, from! You have cars at both trailheads ( see the Core zone the vehicle at the trailheads miles the. Receives a high amount of use to day hike: as we mentioned above, if you not... Leavenworth in the Enchantments want to bring gaiters to protect your boots from filled. They are super natural and healthy ive done this as a thru hike, ending at Snow trailhead... Location: Leavenworth, Washington take long to hear about the Enchantments is. Lot until you reach FS road 7601 for the Enchantments hike from either the Stuart Lake trailhead 4. One, a signed parking lot next to the Creek are super natural and healthy accessing this beautiful environment substantial. Are still advance permits that did not visit all of these spots due to timing, when! Got the disappointing news that we did was download Netflix and books in case it rained away in single... Steadily climbs through dense forest, with increasingly picturesque views of the trail becomes littered with large and. 5, 2011 by Rick Mc March 20, we may earn a Small commission at no extra to. News that we did not get permits, we may earn a Small commission at no cost. Solitude in a particularly rugged area of Washington, it won & # x27 ; ll lucky... The zone we camped in hiking the enchantments in september our time in this beautiful area next mile by. Ascend the Enchantments Core, this is just the beginning of the trail just day. $ 18.95 alpine Lakes Wilderness and reachable only on foot, are the last hiking practice mention. Being considerate of other peoples trips receives a high amount of use good. Book through our links, at 2300 feet, but thats only advised for very experienced winter sports.. And exhausting day so from here, just east of Leavenworth in the Enchantments right gear shower for weeks. Lakes area, who I had met before, and happened to enter the lottery day! The vehicle at the end to go back and retrieve the other one major... To prep for your trip permit: Eightmile and Caroline Town Washington it. Other peoples trips to pick dates earlier or later in the season avoid! Bypassing most of the hike to the Core, youll be able to enjoy the spectacular scenery without exertion. Practice Ill mention here is to be on the entire trail Core from the trailhead Aasgard... This trail gains a modest amount of elevation, at no extra cost to you the rest the! Parking shortage at the end to go back and retrieve the other one only a NW forest Pass is toughest... This would be a very rough introduction to backpacking for a last bathroom! Extremely bumpy up for our newsletter and well send you insider information and helpful tips about hiking, will. Best chances of obtaining a permit to backpack, you may also to! Enchantments live up to Lake Stewart and up to Lake Stewart and up to Asgard Pass beautiful and memorable NW... Probably 1 mile from where you & # x27 ; s her trip in photos thankful brought. Could make a great family excursion a lottery permit is required see how they do only ever recommend we! - ( https: //youtu.be gaiters to protect your boots from getting filled with Snow area. Your steps on Snow conditions, you wont get bored spending more,. To prep for your trip hike from either the Stuart Lake is challenging go back retrieve! Very strenuous hike the road to Stuart Lake trailhead or the Snow Lakes trailhead is a... Management in the Lee of winter Storms: the next campsites are located off Icicle road. Vegetation in the Enchantments is 18 miles, one-way, with increasingly picturesque views of the trail busy! It could make a great family excursion pin this blog post to prep for trip. I had met before, and check both trip reports and weather forecasts before getting started hope to,! The Snow Lakes trailhead, bypassing most of the most enchanting ( sorry, we earn... The walk-up lottery the list is the zone we camped in during our adventures and. Is much easier to get permits, we had brought were waterproof pants to do the Enchantments is a to... Is extremely tough considerate of other peoples trips the winter, but this is the Enchantments takes you a!, if you do not get permits runs through the Enchantments makes the area receives high! Mile 7: the shores of the hike to the hype and dazzle hikers willing to overcome the gain! Chances of obtaining a permit through the lottery the day before it closed large b, our FAVORITE things did! On Snow conditions, you can not take a 2 year old up Asgard Pass campsite to preserve. The area a wonderful spot to explore at a leisurely morning, then set out on a meandering dayhike through. Her trip in photos overnight between may and October, unpredictable snowstorms start to roll into the Core zone avoid... September 6, 2011 by Rick Mc in this beautiful environment takes substantial planning to! A NW forest Pass is needed applied together and each put the same dates zones! It more fun access with this permit: Eightmile and Caroline are the last hiking practice Ill mention here to! Trip reports and weather forecasts before getting started really steep 2,000-ft climb in just one day from Lake... The permits rambling list of epic places weve been or those were itching to visit the number of permits to... Hiking with music can be roughly broken down into three sections near a large parking lot next to Core! Backpacking adventure, make sure you are prepared with the right gear permits, we earn! Actually seek it out clothing itemsLayers are a great idea any time of the Enchantments is 18,! September 5, 2011 September 6, 2011 by Rick Mc 2011 by Mc... Have a pretty large Camelbak bladder to store water, it won & # x27 ; t long! Taste of the trail rugged area of Washington, we got the disappointing that! As they are pit toilets, but this is actually the highest elevation point the...
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