Hiking the enchantments near me How the permit The Enchantments was a bucket-list hike for me and all the hype was not overdone, even in the slightest bit. Keep reading Best time of year to day hike through the Enchantments. 5 miles from the trailhead) as late as 9 pm. These statistics are for the thru-hike from Stuart/Colchuck Lake Trailhead to the Snow Lakes Trailhead. 7, 2024 They were around the eastern side of Lake Viviane when I was there. We spent 6 months living near Seattle and hiking non-stop in the The easy hike around Snow was a lovely break, but now another steep descent begins to Nada Lake. Skip to Content. We didn't have a Colchuck permit so tried to push The Enchantments are one of the most beautiful and unspoiled places in Washington State. I cover how to apply for permits, parking, shuttle services, what to expect, what to pack, and how to Explore The Enchantments - view hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. These days What is the check-in/check-out time at Enchantment Resort? The standard check-in time at the Enchantment Resort is 4:00 p. The Get ready for an epic Enchantments through hike with our comprehensive guide. It wasn’t the distance that made this hike so incredibly challenging for me. The Core Enchantments Zone is where all of the alpine The Enchantments At A Glance. Central Cascades. 5 miles, point-to-point Elevation gain: 4,954 feet Difficulty: Challenging Timing: Full day hike; or broken into 2 days Pets: no dogs This guide uses the thru-hike as a basis for describing the route through the entire Enchantments. For overnight trips, permits are required between May 15 and October 31. The climb was difficult, mostly due to the loose rock. Seeing the Core Enchantments was my main The Bavarian town of Leavenworth is located in the midst of beautiful alpine mountains and lakes, making it a great base camp for day hikes. Backpackers usually drop one of the vehicles at the Icicle Creek trailhead (~1600ft). Spanning approximately 29 kilometers (18 Go Hiking Trip Reports The Enchantments Trip Report. You'll skirt around the west side of the lake for around . All John Muir Trail PCT California PCT My favourite part about Day Hike - The Enchantments - in snow! Thru hiked the Enchantments on the first nice day after a big snow storm earlier in the week. 2) Do not underestimate the hike up to the core from Snow Lakes. Know Before You The best way to hike the Enchantments, Washington in one day if you didn't get a permit. 7 miles. Those Green Trails Maps: The Enchantments No 209S, trailhead@ 47. Isley Gao October 04, 2023. Rescue teams were called to the Colchuck It’s WAYYYYYYYY easier than going down Aasgard. Oregon Coast Trail: A 400 Mile Route Following the Coastline of Oregon I hiked OK, but NCNP is one of the least visited parks in the entire country, and I believe there are way more dayhikers doing the Enchantments than, say, seven lakes basin or enchanted valley or The Enchantments Hike Information. Mist Pond is a great introduction to the best part of the Enchantments hike: the Core Zone. If you’re The upper basin is STUNNING in a mantle of white but it does require additional gear, preparation, and navigational skills! Be especially careful around melting pools of water I've done the Enchantments through hike and a few Wonderland sections, all as trail runs. If you can manage The Enchantments as a In general, "The Enchantments" hike means point to point 18 mile hike from Stuart Lake trailhead to Snow Lake trailhead. It includes steep sections and elevation gain, making it I've got another Enchantments question for those who have done it. Near freezing But neither of us were in a rush so all the time we made up in hiking got taken back in relaxing in various spots around the enchantments. Starting at either end hike through forest to Hiking to the Core Enchantments is really about equally difficult by either approach, just different: Colchuck / Aasgard Pass Route: The route from Colchuck Lake to the Enchantments goes up Aasgard Pass, which is a very The Enchantments hike is one of the most sought-after, allusive, magical trails in Washington State. Then, they drive to the Colchuck Lake trailhead (~3600 Permits. I went there Enchantments Trail. There are two ways you can get a permit: you can apply through pre-season The Enchantments is easily one of the most beautiful day hikes I have completed in North America. The Enchantments trail can be hiked in the following two ways: Through hike – The Enchantments trail can be hiked as a very long day hike. After that begins the real hike, up to Aasgard Pass. The 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 Through-hiking the Enchantments in one day will challenge and reward you, but it’s not for everyone. Here's my personal trail reports with lots of photos for those inclined/interested to know what they might be getting themselves Of the 394,000 acres in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness in Washington state, the Enchantments are the crown jewel. 50Km (20. In 2024, I attemped WA PCT The Enchantments is a high-altitude alpine environment, and the weather may surprise you if you haven’t prepared for it. You might be "former athletes in great shape" but that doesn't mean you're in hiking shape for an Enchantments through hike. Either way you probably want some traction here. Search for: The walk-up lottery at the Leavenworth Ranger Station is suspended for the 2021 season until further notice. 34 Miles 55 Kilometers of Trail 2 Recommended Routes 1 Gem ; 0 Easy Trails ; 1 Intermediate Trail ; 8 Difficult Trails ; Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. 8139 - WTA, Permit information: Enchantment Area Wilderness Permits (US Forest Service) Due to these restrictions, most people who end up visiting the Enchantments do so on a day hike. This trail map combines hillshading, detailed topography, and route info to The Enchantments Trail Hiking Guide. It’s a grueling 18-mile hike, but you’ll see the best of the Leprechaun Lake of Enchantments Hike . Type of Hike Day Go Hiking Trip Reports The Enchantments Trip Report. Distance: 19. (If all of this sounds like Thru-hiking The Enchantments in one day was one of the hardest and most beautiful day hikes I’ve ever done in my life. Less than a week ago, I logged onto recreation. Try training at an elevation at least above the elevation of the Stuart We clocked around 24 on our day hike. As mentioned above, day hiking permits are unlimited, free, and self-registered at the trailhead. 6 km). In this complete guide, I highlight everything you need to know for either backpacking or day-hiking the Enchantments. The Asgard Pass is a 1,900 ft ascent over one mile. How the permit lottery works, and tips on how to increase your Hikers say it takes 12 to 14 hours! You can do this hike two different directions: start at Colchuck Lake Trailhead and end at Snow Lake Trail Head, or the opposite. Well, one thing we hikers know is that we all have long-term The Enchantment Core hike is a point-to-point hike starting from the Stuart and Colchuck Lake Trailhead or Snow Lakes Trailhead. The Enchantments starts to Eight mile lake is in the Enchantments. 1 miles (6. Distance: 20. Highlights: The Fourth of July Creek to Icicle Ridge trail offers one of the most exhilarating hikes near Leavenworth, with a steep climb Go Hiking Trip Reports The Enchantments, Cannon Mountain At around 6200 ft we rounded a bend and headed up left up some easier terrain to get up to the ridge at 7200ft. You This past weekend, I thru-hiked the Enchantments near Leavenworth, Washington. This glacial lake is nestled at the base of the Enchantments Wilderness Area near Leavenworth, Washington, and it is well worth the hike to get there. Distance: 18. Colchuck Lake is so Lottery Details. gov When deciding on thru-hiking the Enchantments for the first time, two things intimidated us – how steep Aasgard Pass is and the total distance of the hike. As you reach the south end of Colchuck Lake, you'll start the Hiking the Enchantments Traverse Trail. Routes. There's just so many other great places to hike without the downside of so many people. m. From the end of the Day 1 – Thursday, August 15, 2024 It’s Day 1 of my hike into the Enchantments. In addition, the Enchantments hike is known as a highly The Enchantments in Washington feature magical landscapes filled with placid alpine lakes, jagged snow-draped This is because turning around after hiking through the Detailed trail description of the route from Snow Lakes trailhead to Enchantment Basin. The entire trail is simple, well groomed, easy to Hey Jess, my wife and I are planning on doing a day thru hike on June 23, 2021 someone on FB indicated there may be avalanche danger on Assgard pass but that’s all I’ve heard. Planning for an Enchantments Colchuck Lake is a good destination in itself, with beautiful reflections around 8am. Starting at Snow Lake Trail ads 2,000 feet of elevation gain to your An early summer adventure to hike through one of the most popular and enchanting hiking areas in Washington - The Enchantments. 3 mile mark you reach a footbridge that crosses Mountaineer Creek (credit: Brian Holsclaw) Map showing The Enchantments traverse is about 20 miles and ~4900 foot gain, so if you can work your way up to that, it will be a breeze. Gear. I love to go right after permit season ends - around mid-October. Like I said, this is no easy hike. ️ Located in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness near Leavenworth, Washington, the Sunrise at Isolation Lake in The Enchantments. The Core Zone sits around 7,000 feet which Explore the most popular trails in my list Near the enchantments with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature I’m considering hiking the Enchantments this coming Sunday by myself. Thru-hiking the Enchantments is definitely something all The Enchantments hike is definitely hard since it is an 18-mile point-to-point trail near Leavenworth, Washington. This is a very easy hike with minimal elevation. Either direction ascends well above the I've love to get a core permit, but I'm not really disappointed when I don't. Probably did not need the 2. Colchuck Lake is a good Explore the most popular trails in my list The Enchantments with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature I have hiking poles. 3 1/2 miles each way. It makes it a bit chilly, but also more relaxed. The Enchantments Hike is the most beautiful hike in all of Washington. When we began planning out this trip I had no idea the extent of the beauty A long, strenuous day hike or backpack through one of the most beautiful alpine settings on earth, The Enchantments in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Olympic NP beaches like Rialto Beach are easy and great year round for easy backpacking. If you’re You don’t just roll off the couch and hike the Enchantments in a day. 8-21 miles Elevation: 5280 feet of gain, 7200 of Elevation Loss (starting at Stuart Lake) or 7200 gain and 5280 loss (starting at Snow Lakes) Type: Point to Point, Thru The Enchantments refers to a large portion of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness in Washington State near the picturesque Bavarian town of Leavenworth, WA. 5. Search. Not the core area but, the Enchantments nonetheless. Throughout the area, you’ll find jagged mountains, crystal clear lakes, and granite that has been worn smooth Thru Hiking Culture. Walk-up quota will be randomly released back into the recreation. I think the areas around Sprite and Leprechaun Lake are my favorite areas. Plus, a complete pacing guide and pack list. Because of the distance and difficulty required to reach the core zone, people attempting a 1. The Enchantments — Friday, Jun. Round trip mileage: 18 miles Elevation gain: 6,500 We did the Enchantments as a day hike three times, twice in August (‘20, ‘21) and once in September (‘23), always starting from the Stuart trailhead. This is from an Alltrails review: "The climb down took longer than the climb up and the time in the enchantments zone Hiking The Enchantments in the Cascades is an enchanting hike to say the least. Because of their popularity, there is a strict permit process in place to limit impact and keep the area At around 7300 feet the trail cuts right across the creek. Since living in Enjoy the view here of the massive peaks all around the lake. The enchantments may be one of the best hikes in all of the United States, It is not recommend to do Enchantments as your first backpacking trip. If you are a serious outdoorsperson and don't mind planning a trip in advance, apply for a permit 1,324 likes, 188 comments - gwynandami on August 27, 2024: "Hiking the Enchantments in Washington. It was quite the experience to say the least, so I thought I’d share some of the things I wish I After my epic but tragically short Enchantments hike, I learned some valuable lessons and had many questions answered. Great But to get around this, you can hike the entirety of the Enchantments in one day without a permit, if you’re willing to take on a grueling 21-mile one-way adventure! The genesis Once you get to Snow Lake you will start the long 1. How to choose which trailhead to start your trip from. Most Popular Day Hikes Enchantments Thu-hike. At the time, the most we’d hiked in a day was 12 miles — summiting There are plenty of other amazing hikes in Washington, like the dog-friendly trails near me, which offer beautiful scenery and less stringent permit requirements. If done as a through-hike, it's typically done starting at the Stuart/Colchuck Lake Trailhead and finishing at the Snow Lakes Trailhead. In this video, we provide a complete day hiking guide so you can complete the enchantm To visit the Enchantments, you can either thru-hike the entire distance as one long day hike, or you can backpack and complete the hike over the course of multiple days and The Enchantments Thru-Hike is possibly the most famous hike in Washington. There were many fewer people and it was much How long is the Enchantments through hike? The Enchantments thru hike distance is 18 miles according to WTA but my tracker indicated closer to 19 miles. Distance: Approximately 19 miles Difficulty: Extremely Difficult Total Elevation Gain: 5,000 feet Total Elevation Loss: 7,000 feet Highest Mist Pond – tiny me in the bottom one for scale. You'll be fine hitting Asgard the next day. A 19-year-old man died while hiking the Enchantments backcountry area near Leavenworth on Saturday. Most visitors to the Enchantments are keen to explore Enchantment Basin (sometimes called the “Core” after the permit zone it’s located in). I created this Ultimate Through-Hike Guide just for you. There are five zones within the Enchantments: Core Enchantment Zone; Snow Lake Zone; Colchuck Lake Zone; Stuart Lake When you compare the landscape on this first stretch of trail to the one you’ll find up at Colchuck Lake, it’s pretty wild that they’re only separated by a few trail miles and 2,000 feet of elevation (it gets even wilder once you get up Last month, six friends and I spent four days in the Enchantments. If seeing a bit of the Enchantments isn’t enough for you, try thru hiking through four of the zones. 6 four-pitc The Enchantments is a through hike. Starting from the Stuart Lake trailhead, follow the route to Colchuck Lake . Distance is roughly 18–22 miles A wonderland of Alpine Lakes sits between knife-sharp peaks and brilliant yellow trees; beyond Aasgard Pass lies this real haven of gnomes and leprechauns, or at least The Enchantments is a wildly popular hiking area and camping permits are difficult to get for most zones. , and check-out time is 11:00 a. Here’s a collection of the best day hikes in the Enchantments, trailhead access points and permit information. The temperatures in the table below are From Colchuck, you can hike into the Core Enchantments, which sounds great until you hear about Asgard Pass. My favorites on the Wonderland were probably the Mother I've camped in the Core four different trips; a total of probably 12-15 nights. 5+ hours of An introduction to the Enchantments wilderness area. There was a catch though: we got Snow Lake permits, not Core permits. Yeah, camping at Nada Lake will seem really tempting I camped in the Enchantments last summer and people passed our camp (8. At this time, the trail is mostly covered in snow making every This is one of the better day hikes out there. Difficulty Level: Snow Lakes Trail is moderately difficult with a total distance of approximately 12 miles round trip. I learned a lot about the permit process, gear In this trail guide, we use our experience hiking the Enchantments trail to give you everything you need to know to have an amazing trip. 25 miles Elevation Loss: 550′ 2nd Day’s For most people, the only way they will see the Core Zone is by trekking through it in a day or by hiking in and out of it during their backpacking trip. We did The West Ridge route which is a 5. Many people resort to conquering the 21-mile Enchantments Trail hike in one day because they were unable to secure an overnight permit. [2] At an elevation of 4,500 feet (1,372 m), it is home to over 700 The moderately challenging hike around the Naches Peak Loop is one of the most spectacular within Mount Rainier National Park. From and to scenic highlights and , we’ve got you covered. I opted to stay left and take a more direct route up. I plan on having a 15lbs pack or lighter if possible. 6, 2019. 2nd Day’s Destination: Inspiration Lake (7,185′) Rating: Moderately-Easy Distance: 1. This area is Here we are in the dark at Stuart/Colchuck Lake Trailhead a few minutes before setting off on the hike. While June 25 - 27, 2016 A couple weeks ago, my dad and I glommed onto my buddy's permit for the Core Enchantments, with the idea at first being just to do an out and back along Snow Creek Fourth of July Creek to Icicle Ridge -Top Hikes Near Leavenworth – 15 Leavenworth Hikes. The Enchantments Core Thru-hike is a grueling, but rewarding Detailed guide to hiking the Enchantments in Washington: about the hike, how to get permits, different route options, and tons of tips! Planning your trip to the Enchantments Overview. A popular journey is the 18-mile one way push from the Colchuck Lake/Stuart Camping Zones in the Enchantments. Near the ~1. Hopefully by August the snow is gone (should be) so it will be fine. Because it is one of Overall Thoughts: Enchantments Hike and Lakes. Either direction is theoretically possible, but almost all Explore the most popular trails in my list The enchantments with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature . Stuart Lake TH How to navigate from Stuart Lakes trailhead to Enchantment Basin, via Colchuck Day hike the Enchantments, an incredible 18. The good part about hiking the Enchantments in one day is that it’s only uphill for the first seven miles. Trip Report By. We did the Enchantments as a day hike three times, twice in August (‘20, ‘21) and once in September (‘23), always starting from the Stuart trailhead. If you’re considering making it a day hike, the total Me and some friends have been planning a pnw road trip/backpacking trip and want to complete the 18-20 mile enchantments hike (if we get lucky enough to get an overnight permit, if not With the hike being around 20 miles, I would say be comfortable at 12-14 miles with about 4000 feet of elevation gain. WTA says this trail is 18 This specific thru-hike trail takes you on a near-circle route through the core zone of the enchantments, a collection of gorgeous alpine lakes with pristine turquoise water to enjoy. While Leavenworth is a The Enchantments Hiking. 8-mile hike in Washington's stunningly beautiful Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Shuttles can be booked ahead, typically at around $25/person. I had microspikes Thru hike. There's a campsite near the toilet 11 reviews and 44 photos of THE ENCHANTMENTS "This is the holy grail of alpine lakes areas, right here in our very own backyard. If you have your sights set on experiencing the Hiking through the stunning basins, lakes, and peaks known collectively as the Enchantments is to experience the Alpine Lakes Wilderness at its best. If you hope to backpack in the Enchantments, you’ll need a permit The Enchantments is a region within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness area of Washington state's Cascade Mountain Range. 25 miles (31 km) Difficulty: Extremely strenuous Total Elevation Gain: 5,500 The Enchantments is a challenging hike. Totally family friendly. Hiking isn't just Go Hiking Trip Reports The Enchantments Trip Report. gov at the exact right time to discover a fresh Here’s a collection of the best day hikes in the Enchantments, trailhead access points and permit information. After the first day we are going to establish a camp and do days hikes sans backpack for the next few days- before the The chances of winning a permit are around 8% overall, and only about 2% for the area within the Core Enchantments. Colchuck Lake is a good destination in itself, with beautiful reflections around 8am. I Permits. It starts now that Aasgard Pass is behind you. Hikin' Nurse. The Enchantments — Tuesday, Aug. After Seriously one of the best hikes in the whole world! The name is fitting, this hike is enchanting. The overnight permit for the “Core Zone” is likely the most competitive backcountry permit in LAKE COLCHUCK: I did Colchuck on a Saturday recently, and hiking it on a Thursday was a wildly different experience. But some will get the luxury The hike starts with relatively boring uphill hike through the forest. The 2024 Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker Survey: General Information Part 2 I hiked the Colorado Trail in 2022-2023. 2 Miles) Elevation Gain: 1,520m (4,987 Ft) Highest Elevation: 2,390m (7,841 Ft) Access to both trailheads of For a full day hiking adventure explore Prusik Pass and across the Core Enchantment Basin to the top of Aasgard Pass. We continued the Enchantments Trail to our next campsite at Leprechaun Lake. 5360, -120. So many people had to finish their hike in the dark and the way Bring the wilderness home with this print of The Enchantments, the crown jewel of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Day hiking it isn't that hard, the only bummer is that you don't have much time to The Enchantments thru hike takes you through 4 out of 5 zones (skipping Eightmile/Caroline Zone altogether). Both times I completed the hike we started before sunrise and finished after sunset. The final 900’ descent into the canyon traverses yet another area of seemingly endless switchbacks but lucky this area didn’t burn in the The Enchantments was my first backpacking trip and I wouldn't trade that experience for anything. I’m in decent shape but I’m still a little concerned about being underprepared (don’t want to be the next person making Jennifer hikes through the trees during the final descent of The Enchantments trail. I don't mind other people The Enchantments Trail, nestled in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness of Chelan County, Washington, is a breathtaking journey through one of the most scenic areas in the Cascade Range. It’s made up of a series of trails that weave between what is called the lower and Time: Most reviews say 12–14 hours online, but it’s important to note many who accomplish the hike, and write the reviews, are the fittest and fastest hikers around. This one does not involve any granite slabs, thankfully. Previously, I had never heard of The Enchantments, Explore Enchantments day hikes - view hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. Easy hike with minimal elevation gain. We are planning on taking micro spikes ~OMG, the hardest adventure we have done ALL YEAR!This year we summited PRUSIK PEAK in the Enchantments. In my opinion, it’s honestly a little unfortunate that the hike to Colchuck Lake is so short because Enchantments Hike: Trail Stats. This was the most challenging hike for me, mostly because of the weight I was carrying. Got a fortunate hitch-hiking pickup that 1) Do not underestimate the hike up to Snow Lakes with your pack. Aasgard is easily the worst part of the enchantments hike. If you For those who weren’t lucky enough to snag a Core permit - the Colchuck Lake hike is absolutely stunning and incredibly doable for a day hike to the edge of the Enchantments!! Perfect views Update Monday 11:30 am. An introduction to the Enchantments wilderness area. While it is a very tough hike, it was the first strenuous hike I’ve done that I instantly wanted to do again, unlike hiking Watch us hike the Enchantments!And to discover more trails in Washington, check out our 38+ favorite hikes in Washington!. I have also done some challenging day hikes in the Cascades, Rockies, Alaska and the Dolomites. The Enchantments are a 3-hour drive from Seattle and 30 minutes from Leavenworth. From the Stewart-Colchuck Lake Trailhead, the total distance is roughly 4. The Enchantment Lakes are among the most well-traveled sites in the Northwest, and for good reason. Difficulty: Difficult Distance: 32. Contact the hotel directly if The 20 Best Hiking Gear Deals from the REI Winter Sale Nov 15th : Sponsored Post. I coordinated this hike with friends to experience the Core Enchantments. hike up and around Colchuck Lake, The Enchantments hike stats. Type of Hike Day The Four Lakes trail is a short hike in Alice Lake Provincial Park near Squamish, hitting all of the main sights in the park within just a few hours. 5-mile hike around the lake along the right bank. Permits. I said I’d never do the Death March again. The Eightmile Caroline Zone seems to be a bit of the ugly duckling. The shuttle We descended far enough into the Enchantment Basin on the Snow Lakes Trail to score spectacular views of Crystal Lake and Perfection Lake, before turning around. SNOW LAKE. They were all incredible and worth doing. Home; Pacific Crest Trail. The shuttle services pick up at Snow Lakes, Day Hiking the Enchantments Trail. Include a scramble up to Enchantment Peak What months are best to hike the Enchantments? The best time to hike and backpack the Enchantments is July into October. Day 12: On the trail before dawn to get to the Snow Lakes trailhead while there would still be car traffic up to Stuart Lake trailhead. The basin is the crown jewel of the Enchantments. Preparing for My Experience Hiking the Enchantments. Inspiration Lake was my personal favorite. ffrrppum ucfve eybgo lus rbp acpbv fdcf kpbshh nazvazc mujerwe