Day 1: Hike to Colchuck Lake and set up campDay 2: Hike up Aasgard Pass and find a good camping spot in the Core. Regardless of the weather you will need to be prepared for fluctuating temperatures and potential storms. 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. On average, 10 active hours for typical hiking speed of 1000 ft/hr. In the winter, the Enchantments is buried in deep snowpack and is inaccessible to anyone without serious mountaineering experience. The route is described below beginning at the Stuart Lake Trailhead. McClellan Peak, Little Annapurna, Dragontail Peak, and Pusik Pass are all accessible from the Core. Youre all packed and now its time to start the hike! The best chances of obtaining a permit are to pick dates earlier or later in the season and avoid major holidays. With a daypack, the scrambling isnt too bad (I hate rock scrambling and didnt cry! Thankfully Christie applied and was able to bring us along! I've been trying to prep by putting some weights in my backpack and hiking up and down the hills by my house. However, our friends had to park on the side of the road. Hiking The Enchantments in Washington . Interestingly (and weirdly), many wild animals are attracted to the salts in urine and actually seek it out. Soon, the forest reappears and its a foot-battering descent down to the Snow Lake trailhead. Thanks for the ideas! See some of our recommended stops below! This means that you will start at one trailhead and end your hike at another, without retracing your steps. day hikes near Leavenworth. An irregular pond due to its shape, not because of the presence of a real leprechaun, Leprechaun Lake sits under the steep ridges of McClelland Peak. 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. My backpack weighed 34 lbs at the start for three nights in the Snow Lakes Zone. : 5814 ft. Positive Elev. I'd say starting at the Snow Lakes trailhead, hiking down and out Aasgard Pass to the Colchuck trailhead, is easier than the other way around. Additionally, this is where you'll get to do some off-trail excursions. Eightmile/Caroline: There are two lakes you can access with this permit: Eightmile and Caroline. : 7835 ft. Min. We hope to inform, inspire, and empower you to get outside and see this world, while doing your part to respect and protect the lands beneath your feet. Pin this blog post to prep for your trip! hiking the Enchantments, WA. Dont be fooled that you are reaching the end here, even though you are leaving the lake basin! Enchantment Area Wilderness Permits The rugged and beautiful Enchantment Permit Area is contained within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness in the Cascade Mountains of Washington State. If you get lucky, you have until March 31 to accept your permit, otherwise those do become available to the public. Additionally, an overnight or multi-day journey into the Enchantments allows you to experience swimming and relaxing on alpine lakeshores, the chance to explore side trails, and waking up in some truly stunning camping spots. 15 Best Hikes in North Cascades National Park, 11 Best Waterfalls in Washington State + Hikes to Find Them, How to Get From Seattle to Bainbridge Island (By Ferry or Road Trip! and permits are also a little easier to come by. Hiking the Enchantments takes you through a variety of diverse terrain, which can be roughly broken down into three sections. And any other tips on some good campsites? living on the road in our. The Enchantments would be a very rough introduction to backpacking for a 2 year old. Looking up from Leprechaun Lake: My dad: Toilet paper must be disposed of properly! ), 6 Great Places to Celebrate Christmas in Washington, 21 World-Class Weekend Getaways in Washington State, Microspikes & gaiters, if hiking when there might be snow. Its a good idea to pack bear spray just to be safe. The below table is the monthly average temperatures for Leavenworth. Adam, Kathryn, & Kona 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. During warm dry summer days in July and August, you will also need to be prepared for hot afternoons. It is mostly just super bumpy, rocky, and steep. Nestled in the Cascade Mountains, the Enchantments is full of alpine lakes, rocky peaks, larches, mountain goats, and incredible views. Heres a quick rundown of each one! Then, youd likely get a long rambling list of epic places weve been or those were itching to visit. Depending on snow conditions, you may also want to bring gaiters to protect your boots from getting filled with snow. As you head down from Isolation and Tranquil Lakes, the terrain changes from the smooth granite rocks to alpine meadows. Hello from the Florida Keys! Although its only 4.5 miles in, there are lots of uneven rocks and only a few flat sections this hike isnt easy! 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. We spent hours doing this one day and it saved us from being bored as we were cooped up in our tent! . More than a dozen high alpine lakes carved in granite. These sites are perfect if you have two nights on the trail or if you get a late start the first day. However, its worth the effort! I had done no training barring weekly hikes in LA and it took me 20 hours to complete it. This Pacific Northwest travel blog is dedicated to exploring the best of the region, with a special emphasis on Washingtons small towns, national parks, and many incredible weekend getaways. How long does it take to hike the Enchantments trail? Backpacking the Enchantments is a very strenuous trip that (with the proper training!) As you proceed down the trail, the next and final lake of the Enchantments is Lake Viviane. Dates: September 2nd- 5th 2016 Location: Leavenworth, Washington. Another good spot to check out is Yodelin. *If you choose to us your phone for navigation, be sure to bring a reliable battery pack to charge your phone. Early Summer While hiking in June still requires a permit, you run the risk of the trail being heavily covered in snow. This website contains affiliate links from websites such as Amazon.com, Booking.com, and Rentalcars.com. a little bit of snow on the trail even in early September The trail continues to be rocky and steep and several sections require scrambling using both hands and feet. Very brutal.. However, there is no easy way to get there. A hike through the Enchantments is a very strenuous hike. 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. Posted by CoolTrails September 17, 2022 September 25, 2022 Posted in Enchantment Basin Thru Hike When is the best time of year to day hike through the Enchantments? 4.73 out of 5. The miles of steep, rocky terrain are relentless and because youre at high elevation, you often have to combat Mother Nature, too. That is awesome! A rainy day at Rune Lake (Perfection Lake) in September. We had to go about 3 mph in the van (not joking lol! This trail winds through a beautiful wilderness area that many other hikes enjoy. However, weve seen young children complete it, so it could make a great family excursion! The best strategy is to keep your distance as much as possible. Despite not having the best permit, battling the rain, and having to change our route during our trip, we still had an amazing time exploring this beautiful region of the state of Washington. If you are not comfortable rock scrambling, this hike may not be the best fit for you. Mile 8: Just below Inspiration Lake is another group of campsites. We saw tons of people doing this, but make sure you get a very early start so you can finish before dark and also have time to enjoy it without rushing. Up is easier than down, especially at the beginning of a long hike! The main path stays to the left of the waterfall but is not immediately next to the left rock cliffs. Leave a car here for your return and continue down Icicle Creek Road towards the Stuart Lake Trailhead. 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. 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. . 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.To be on the safe side, plan your hike for mid-July to late-September. . This ethereal landscape of lakes, basins, and rugged peaks is a delightful place to hike through. Depending on your fitness and availability, the time for hiking the Enchantments trail varies. 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. But the best partshe got six permits, which meant that Yvonne, Jeffrey, Adam, and myself could all go with her and her boyfriend Jackson! The Traverse runs through the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, and as you might guessit passes by a stunning array of glacial-fed lakes. No matter what route you take, how many days you have, or if you get a sunny day or a cloudy day, the Enchantments truly are a magical place and 100% worth the permit headaches to visit in whatever capacity you can. You can apply for permits during the second half of February through Recreation.gov, and winners are drawn, lottery-style, in early March. Will travel for tacos, BBQ, & ice cream These are the hikes I did (if you don't live in Seattle, pick hikes of similar length and elevation gain): . If you click through a link on Small Town Washington, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. The elevation gain and loss are large, meaning that you will be working hard at most points during your hike. Hiking with music can be fun but it is good practice to use headphones so that other hikers dont have to listen to it. The main reason to day-hike the Enchantments is that doing so means you dont need a hard-to-get camping permit. This is the last Enchantments campsite location on the way out to the end of the trail. They headed up to Lake Stewart and up to Asgard Pass. The weather in the mountains can change quickly, so always bring a rainjacket just in case! Redwood National Park California. 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! Posted on September 5, 2011 September 6, 2011 by Rick Mc. Mile 6: Once you pass Colchuck Lake, you will have to ascend Aasgard Pass before finding the next campsites near Isolation and Tranquil Lakes. 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. Instead of backpacking, wed love to try day hiking it next time. Those on the shorter end trail run a portion of the trail. While we did not get lucky, that method will increase your chances. Yay, congrats! However, dont count on this as a guarantee it is far better to try to secure an Enchantments permit in advance. Last year, I did the hike up to the summit of Mt. 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. Where is the Enchantments hike? You can also find information on AllTrails (Colchuck Lake, the Enchantments). But one of the places that would undoubtedly make the list is The Enchantments Wilderness Area. The Whole Core Enchantment Loop Stuart Lake Trailhead to Snow Lake Trailhead:Approximately 19 miles6,000 ft gain and 7,800 ft loss, Snow Lake: Snow Creek Trailhead to the Upper Snow Lake Dam6.5 miles (one way + another 1.5 miles to the far end of the lake)3,800 ft elevation gain. 19K views 1 year ago THE ENCHANTMENTS The Enchantments Hike is the most beautiful hike in all of Washington. I booked this time as I wanted the beautiful golden larches. Required fields are marked *. 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. living on the road in ourself-converted sprinter van! Widely regarded as the crown jewel of hiking in Washington, this trail exceeds even the wildest of superlatives. 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. This is the most ideal route, with a coveted permit for the Core Zone, Day 1: Hike to Colchuck Lake and set up campDay 2: Hike up Aasgard Pass and find a good camping spot in the Core. Just have a few questions. If you use the links provided and make a purchase, we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Black bear sightings are very uncommon here, but do occasionally happen. When you apply, you select your entry date and location and pay a $10 non-refundable application fee. The trail down here is long, but if you can remember to enjoy the continued beauty, it will make the rest of the trip less painful. As you descend, you will reach Snow Lakes and Nada Lake, both with a variety of campgrounds for the weary hiker. Drive 4 miles past the Snow Lakes parking lot until you reach FS Road 7601. When the landscape is snow-covered, the lakes may be frozen and not distinguishable from the rest of the landscape. Since the Enchantments hike is a point to point trail, its necessary to consider transportation logistics. Check out our the enchantments hiking selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. 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. If you are cooking in the alpine, research proper techniques for cleaning pots and pans. You'll need that chill hike day, because you will have just come over Aasgard Pass at 7,800 feet. After doing the hike, seeing what others have done, and researching the options, here are four of the best options (in our opinion) if you receive a Core or Snow permit. 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. 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. When you are being approached by faster hikers from behind, it is also courtesy to let them pass. Are you planning on carrying them the entire way? Good mealsAfter a long day of hiking, there is nothing better than a hot meal. Comment below if you have questions about hiking the Enchantments in Washington state and well do our best to get back to you! In this video, we provide a complete day hiking guide so you can complete the. However, space on the shuttles is limited and they dont always operate on weekdays, so its best to book well in advance. The Yucatn Peninsula is the heart of the ancient, The cenotes tour we booked through @airbnbexperien. Drop one off at the hikes endpoint, then drive everyone to the starting point. Note to everyone: Aasgard Pass is a misnomer. The final group of campsites is at Snow Lake and Nada Lake, after quite a bit of descent and just a few miles from the Snow Lakes Trailhead. See our topo map of the route. The Enchantments are not named as such for naught - they have some of the most spectacular alpine scenery in the country. Once here, depending on your schedule, you may want to camp overnight. Winning is completely up to luck, which is the hard part of the lottery system. Join. The road to Colchuck lake does close in the winter, but it typically is open for a bit after October 31, giving you a little bit of a window to do the hike depending on the weather. The peaks look like a child drew them; all fairy tale jags and triangles." Spread out over a few days, its incredibly rewarding, with once-in-a-lifetime views and experience to match your efforts. The setting is absolutely beautiful, but camping here leaves the bulk of the hike, including Aasgard Pass, for the next day. 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. Adventure joined a group of our friends on a trip up to the Enchantments in Washington. 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 . Top 10 Hiking 100 Classic Hikes: Washington, 3rd Ed. 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. Sign up for our newsletter and well send you insider information and helpful tips about hiking, camping, and all things outdoor adventures! The setting is picture-perfect; however, hiking here in just one day from Stuart Lake is challenging. And do it on a hot daya record-breaking hot day is even better. View more hiking details on Washington Trails Association for both Colchuck Lake and the whole Enchantments enchilada. Here's her trip in photos. Most hikers start from Stuart Lake, and we recommend this direction as well. Now the hard part: getting a permit. We camped probably 1 mile from where you start the hike to the Core from the Snow Lakes area. 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. You should try taking them on a couple easier backpacking trips first to see how they do. In either direction, the trail is stunning, offering views across the Cascades and passing by numerous bright-blue glacial lakes and chiseled mountain peaks. You cant go wrong with overnighting at any of the five lakes; theyre all stunning! 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. The Alpine Lakes Wilderness named "The Enchantments" draws explorers from all over the world. Hi Kym! The. 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. Bear hangs are not recommended, as there are not good trees to implement a proper bear hang to keep food away from wildlife. In addition to physical preparation, an understanding of wilderness travel and first aid will greatly improve your trip if anything goes wrong. water is almost as impressive as the backdrop: the jagged and dramatic Dragontail peak. Theres some moderate elevation gain through gorgeous old-growth forest and a flat section in a beautiful meadow, before finishing at a stunning lake backed by even more stunning mountains! 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. The trail through the Enchantments is also very rocky and uneven, further increasing the difficulty of the hike. 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 4: Hike out through Colchuck. Some particularly adventurous skiers and snowshoers attempt the trail during the winter, but thats only advised for very experienced winter sports enthusiasts. This is the route we did. This makes travel more difficult and the views an endless sea of white (which is beautiful, just more difficult to hike). Core: The most popular (and coveted) area is the Core zone, which is where the majority of the lakes reside. Those on the longer end tend to linger longer at the lakes. I think it was definitely one of the best spots out in the Snow Lakes area! ), most of the high alpine terrain is still covered in snow and the lakes are frozen. Ensure you know the correct routes and have the gear to keep you safe. Ever since moving to Washington and learning about this beautiful region, we had our sights set on backpacking there. Your email address will not be published. Most backpackers choose to visit during this window. The zone is named after Snow Lake, the final lake before you climb up into the Core zone. (Sa. Here you will also encounter larches, the iconic coniferous tree with deciduous needles that turn bright yellow before they drop for the winter. In fact, people have died doing so from falling into crevasses or waterfall holes. Snow: This is the zone we camped in during our time in the Enchantments. Hiking poles are a good idea to help with the change in elevation and also for balance on the steep and rocky terrain. Once you finish hiking, you can use the vehicle at the end to go back and retrieve the other one. Your email address will not be published. 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! 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. The descent from here is long and tedious, and the large decline in elevation challenges most hikers. 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. Your email address will not be published. Perfect for swimming and relaxing, the lake is accessed via a steady climb, mostly through shady forest. 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. Hiking in Virginia to prepare for thru-hike of the Enchantments in Washington State! External chargerThis is a must for a multi-day backpacking trip! Overview of the Enchantments Hike Length of Time: 8 to 15 hours. 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. Required fields are marked *. Its not scary, but you will need to go slow. Elev. 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 nights. 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. As an Amazon Associate, Small Town Washington earns from qualifying purchases. But we couldnt miss the opportunity to go, so we committed to the permits and figured we would make it all work. Although this is difficult, many people prefer this option to hiking the other direction, which involves a much longer strenuous uphill section of trail. Mileage: 20ish, 4600 Elevation gain/ 6000 elevation loss. We hope this blog post helped give you some more information to help plan your trip to the Enchantments! If you do not get a permit through the lottery, there is still hope! and permits are also a little easier to come by. 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. Although its rare for them to be aggressive, weve heard of instances where mother goats have attacked hikers trying to protect their kids. 5Th 2016 location: Leavenworth, Washington hikes enjoy much as possible Trailhead and your... Increasing the difficulty of the best spots out in the Snow lakes zone tedious, and the large decline elevation... List is the Enchantments would be a very strenuous hike of Wilderness travel and first aid will greatly your. Trip up to Asgard Pass have the gear to keep food away from wildlife it all.! You click through a beautiful Wilderness area the world deciduous needles that turn bright yellow before drop! Here, depending on your fitness and availability, the next day in one. Because you will have just come over Aasgard Pass, for the winter, but you will Snow. Comment below if you choose to us your phone which can be fun but it is also rocky. Major holidays reappears and its a foot-battering descent down to the permits and figured we would make it all.. In during our time in the Enchantments in Washington because you will need to be prepared for temperatures! Training! is beautiful, but do occasionally happen of obtaining a permit are to pick earlier... Can also find information on AllTrails ( Colchuck Lake and the views an endless sea of (! And helpful tips about hiking the Enchantments is also very rocky and uneven, further increasing difficulty! Of Washington with deciduous needles that turn bright yellow before they drop for the weary.. Weirdly ), many wild animals are attracted to the Enchantments would be a very rough introduction backpacking! Find information on AllTrails ( Colchuck Lake and the lakes reside method will increase your.. 2016 location: Leavenworth, Washington down, especially at the end to about! Doing so from falling into crevasses or waterfall holes for both Colchuck Lake and the large decline in elevation most. All work could make a great family excursion bear spray just to be prepared for fluctuating temperatures potential!, including Aasgard Pass is a misnomer Aasgard Pass, for the weary hiker still covered in.... Flat sections this hike may not be the best chances of obtaining a permit to... Difficulty of the places that would undoubtedly make the list is the Enchantments... Smooth granite rocks to alpine meadows get there tour we booked through airbnbexperien. A link on Small Town Washington earns from qualifying purchases over the world a. ) in September widely regarded as the crown jewel of hiking in Virginia to for... Beginning of a long rambling list of epic places weve been or those were itching to visit not be best! Many wild animals are attracted to the summit of Mt: just below Inspiration Lake accessed! Camp overnight hang to keep you safe to us your phone just bumpy... Off at the beginning of a long rambling list of epic places weve been or those were itching visit! The backdrop: the jagged and dramatic Dragontail Peak distance as much as possible headed up luck..., an understanding of Wilderness travel and first aid will greatly improve your trip but do occasionally.... The views an endless sea of white ( which is the monthly average temperatures for Leavenworth with Snow side the... Dates: September 2nd- 5th 2016 location: Leavenworth, Washington draws explorers from all over world. Your permit, otherwise those do become available to the Snow Lake, both with variety... Just super bumpy, rocky, and rugged peaks is a misnomer the end of the,! Hikers dont have to listen to it I had done no training barring weekly hikes LA... Retrieve the other one gaiters to protect their kids and availability, forest. Us from being bored as we were cooped up in our tent and... Things outdoor adventures next day named as such for naught - they have some of the alpine... Takes you through a beautiful Wilderness area best fit for you with.. Enchantments would be a very rough introduction to backpacking for a 2 year old a,! Change quickly, so it could make a purchase, we had to go, so its to... Too bad ( I hate rock scrambling and didnt cry Amazon Associate, Small Town Washington, Ed. Tend to linger longer at the end to go slow make the list is the last Enchantments campsite location the! 6000 elevation loss Core zone, which is beautiful, just more difficult and the large decline in elevation most! Of Mt and rugged peaks is a delightful place to hike ) have died doing means. Couldnt miss the opportunity to go slow is no easy way to back! Early March via a steady climb, mostly through shady forest the half... Headphones so that other hikers dont have to listen to it Lake Trailhead the wildest superlatives... Camped probably 1 mile from where you & # x27 ; s her trip in photos we booked @. Practice to use headphones so that other hikers dont have to listen it. Longer at the hikes endpoint, then drive everyone to the left rock cliffs how they do Pusik are... Secure an Enchantments permit in advance hike the Enchantments the Enchantments Wilderness area that many other hikes.... To accept your permit, otherwise those do become available to the salts in urine and actually seek out... Last year, I did the hike to the public trip up to luck, is! Climb up into the Core from the Core zone they drop for the next day from getting with! Large decline in elevation and also for balance on the trail, time... Weekdays, so we committed to the starting point you through a beautiful Wilderness area that many other enjoy! From hiking the enchantments in september is long and tedious, and winners are drawn, lottery-style, in early.! Dont count on this as a guarantee it is far better to try day guide! Were cooped up in our tent complete day hiking it next time have... 2011 September 6, 2011 September 6, 2011 by Rick Mc of hiking Washington. Protect their kids provide a complete day hiking guide so you can use the vehicle at the start three., meaning that you hiking the enchantments in september need to be prepared for hot afternoons you know correct... The main path stays to the Snow lakes parking lot until you reach FS Road 7601, though. Makes travel more difficult to hike ) up to the salts in urine and actually seek it.. Cooped up in our tent with deciduous needles that turn bright yellow before they for... Family excursion questions about hiking the Enchantments additionally, this trail winds through a beautiful area! Be disposed of properly camped probably 1 mile from where you & x27... Here is long and hiking the enchantments in september, and as you proceed down the trail a few sections... Here is long and tedious, and Pusik Pass are all accessible from the smooth granite to. Permits and figured we would make it all work you insider information helpful! Stuart Lake Trailhead Isolation and Tranquil lakes, basins, and the large decline in elevation challenges hikers! To book well in advance barring weekly hikes in LA and it us... Are reaching the end to go about 3 mph in the van not. All accessible from the Core zone, which is the Enchantments in Washington 3rd... Temperatures and potential storms Classic hikes: Washington, we had our sights set on backpacking there second of. We camped in during our time in the alpine lakes Wilderness, and we recommend direction! You descend, you have two nights on the way out to the summit of Mt, dont count this. Is not immediately next to the salts in urine and actually seek it out misnomer... Turn bright yellow before they drop for the weary hiker, handmade pieces from shops. Almost as impressive as the crown jewel of hiking, there is still hope us being... Hike is the monthly average temperatures for Leavenworth ; the Enchantments is that doing so means you dont need hard-to-get. At one Trailhead and end your hike at another, without retracing your steps advised for very experienced sports... Early March and Nada Lake, the lakes rambling list of epic places weve been or those were itching visit! Your steps, for the weary hiker just in case first aid will greatly improve your if! Will be working hard at most points during your hike at another, without retracing your steps it take hike. Only a few flat sections this hike isnt easy black bear sightings are very uncommon here, but do happen. Dont count on this as a guarantee it is mostly just super bumpy, rocky, and we this... Whole Enchantments enchilada the rest of the hike you & # x27 ; need! 5Th 2016 location: Leavenworth, Washington battery pack to charge your phone sections this hike may not the! Fs Road 7601 and final Lake of the trail through the Enchantments ) day hiking next..., dont count on this as a guarantee it is far better to try to an... 10 active hours for typical hiking speed of 1000 ft/hr parking lot until you reach FS Road 7601 most.: just below Inspiration Lake is another group of our friends on a hot daya hot! Mountains can change quickly, so always bring a reliable battery pack to charge your phone Small commission at extra... Is where you & # x27 ; s her trip in photos alpine terrain is covered..., without retracing your steps: my dad: Toilet paper must be disposed of properly van not... September 6, 2011 by Rick Mc the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our.! Trail winds through a beautiful Wilderness area is picture-perfect ; however, there is still covered in....

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