These are the hikes I did (if you don't live in Seattle, pick hikes of similar length and elevation gain): . From the Stuart Lake Trailhead, the trail heads first towards Colchuck Lake a 4-mile hike from the trailhead. ), 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). Black bear sightings are very uncommon here, but do occasionally happen. They also make some amazing meat and veggie bars. Hiking poles are a good idea to help with the change in elevation and also for balance on the steep and rocky terrain. 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. Mile 11: The shores of the Snow Lakes are the last large group of campsites. And any other tips on some good campsites? February 1, 2022. If you are looking for an epic day hike, check out our Colchuck Lake trail guide for all the info you need! And she got permits! Interestingly (and weirdly), many wild animals are attracted to the salts in urine and actually seek it out. Obviously, for this, you will need two drivers in your party and two cars! July and August are the most popular months, but we loved seeing the larches change colors at the end of September (even though the weather was riskier!). The Enchantments is a region in Washington, just 15 miles southwest of Leavenworth, a super cute Bavarian village town. 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 miles of steep, rocky terrain are relentless and because youre at high elevation, you often have to combat Mother Nature, too. 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. Once the trail reaches Leprechaun Lake, you are in the Lower Enchantment area, a section marked by narrow rock ledges and the towering McClellan Peak. will reward you with views of a lifetime. You will want to make sure you have cars at both trailheads (see The Trailheads section below). 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. If youre hiking the Enchantments with another person but only have one vehicle, another option is to rent an additional car to drop off at the endpoint. Similar to the zones above, you will need a permit to camp here, which is the second hardest permit to get for the Enchantments. To mitigate the heat, it is suggested that you start hiking early in the day and aim to arrive at your evening campsite before midday. Finally, although it sounds funny at first, hitch-hiking is another good option. 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. Anytime! Then, youd likely get a long rambling list of epic places weve been or those were itching to visit. Overview. Dates: September 2nd- 5th 2016 Location: Leavenworth, Washington. Not sure where to start? The Snow Lake trailhead is near a large parking lot next to the creek. In order to enter the lottery, you must state your hike date, party size, and permit zone (which trailhead youre starting from), and name a group leader. The elevation gain and loss are large, meaning that you will be working hard at most points during your hike. YouTube, Travel Guides, Gear, & FAQs. This is the route we did. Note: in 2019 they reduced the number of permits due to wildfire damage. May, June, September and October are considered "shoulder seasons" and visitors can expect to encounter snow and winter-like conditions. If you click through a link on Small Town Washington, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Mile 9: The next major group of campsites are located between Leprechaun Lake and Lake Viviane. 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. Unlike grizzlies, black bears are rarely aggressive, but its still best to take precautions. Plus, Stuart Lake is a couple thousand feet higher than Snow Lakes, so your total elevation gain is lower! Depending on your fitness and availability, the time for hiking the Enchantments trail varies. The trail crosses over a wooden bridge at this point, marking the end of the Enchantment Lakes basin. Adding to the challenge, the descent is often more demanding than the ascent, since the uneven footing strains the legs. 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. Over the years, the hike has become increasingly popular, making winning a permit in the lottery almost like winning the actual lottery. The Enchantment Lakes are an alpine wonderland of pristine lakes set among polished granite, soaring peaks, blazing larches, and ambling mountain goats. 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. Ive done this as a thru hike, ending at snow lake TH, taking about 14hrs total. places in Washington and in this guide we're 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 kn. See some of our recommended stops below! The best season to hike to the lakes is summer and early fall, namely late July/August to September/early October. This beautiful glacial gem is the perfect spot for a snack, swim, and at least a few minutes of relaxation from here, things are going to get much harder. You'll need that chill hike day, because you will have just come over Aasgard Pass at 7,800 feet. The Alpine Lakes Wilderness named "The Enchantments" draws explorers from all over the world. . Day 1: Hike to Colchuck Lake and set up campDay 2: Hike up Aasgard Pass and find a good camping spot in the Core. They headed up to Lake Stewart and up to Asgard Pass. Just have a few questions. It should actually called "Asskick Pass". Unfortunately, weve missed out on all our other attempts at the lottery (some locals joke that the lottery is their annual donation). And if we were to backpack again, wed love to spend one more day out there so we had more time to explore and to have an extra day in case the weather was bad. Although this is difficult, many people prefer this option to hiking the other direction, which involves a much longer strenuous uphill section of trail. Once we reached the top of the pass, however, it was all worthwhile! Drop one off at the hikes endpoint, then drive everyone to the starting point. Depending on snow conditions, you may also want to bring gaiters to protect your boots from getting filled with snow. Each campsite listed has a wilderness toilet for your use and to preserve the natural beauty of the area. When to Hike The Enchantments. My favorite waterfall's still in its winter coat. Will travel for tacos, BBQ, & ice cream Were talking beautiful wilderness full of clear alpine lakes, granite rocks, and vistas of sharp peaks. The climb up the pass is grueling, but once you make it, you will be blessed with the view of the Core Enchantment Zone the granite rock and bright blue alpine lakes that make this place special. Those on the shorter end trail run a portion of the trail. Didnt get a permit? 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. 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. Inspiration Lake is tucked away in a pool surrounded by steep granite on three sides. If you begin at the lower Snow Creek Trailhead, reverse the numbers. For the broadest swim experience, do the Enchantment Traverse, a 21-mile hike starting at the Colchuck Lake Trailhead (Mountaineer Creek) and ending at the Snow Creek Trailhead. If you use the links provided and make a purchase, we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. We hope this blog post helped give you some more information to help plan your trip to the Enchantments! I think it was definitely one of the best spots out in the Snow Lakes area! If there are still advance permits that did not sell, they will also give these away during the walk-up lottery. 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?)! Another option is tapping into local hiking groups. Mar 18, 2012 at 6:00 pm #1855705. 25. r/hiking. It is mostly just super bumpy, rocky, and steep. The peaks look like a child drew them; all fairy tale jags and triangles." Four of us applied together and each put the same dates, zones, etc. Alltrails says that from Stuart/Colchuck trailhead to the Snow Lake trailhead it is 23.6 miles, but we confirmed with a ranger during our hike that it is 19. As you approach Leavenworth from the west on Highway 2, you will turn onto Icicle Creek Road on the edge of town. A lot of people were doing this and it is allowed. Core: The most popular (and coveted) area is the Core zone, which is where the majority of the lakes reside. Hiker from Olympia The trail The Enchantments trail consists of the Stuart Lake Trail, Colchuck Lake Trail and Snow Lakes Trail. Christie is Yvonnes friend, who I had met before, and happened to enter the lottery the day before it closed. 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 The setting is absolutely beautiful, but camping here leaves the bulk of the hike, including Aasgard Pass, for the next day. View more hiking details on Washington Trails Association for both Colchuck Lake and the whole Enchantments enchilada. Toilet paper must be disposed of properly! With the added weight of a pack, some training or backpacking experience is highly recommended before attempting to hike the Enchantments. The level of difficulty and sheer distance of the trail mean the best way to experience this area is via a multi-day hike. ), but we made it down the road in one piece. I did the hike September 9th-11th, for reference. This is actually the highest elevation point on the entire trail, so from here, the rest of the hike is mostly downhill. On a journey to Alaska in @brisketthevan Our friends also brought water treatment liquid that worked great too! For a challenging side adventure, there is a trail that branches off near Perfection Lake and heads up Prusik Pass. First, there is an accepted right-of way when hiking on a trail. Backpacking the Enchantments is a very strenuous trip that (with the proper training!) One thing thats good to know is that we saw a lot of different mileage reports for this hike. However, our friends had to park on the side of the road. 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. Day 4: Hike out through Colchuck. We coordinated with two friends (Yvonne and Jeffrey) on the dates we wanted, zones we wanted to apply for, and other logistics. 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. There are fewer campsites in this location than in previous and following locations, but these sites are tucked away between Inspiration lake and Enchantment Peak, providing some solitude from the busy trail and other people camping in the Enchantments. 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. 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. One thing we want to make very clear is that you should never climb Aasgard Pass in poor conditions, especially during the winter or when there is still a lot of snow. This area is called Aasgard Pass, and it's a lung-straining 2,000-ft climb in just under a mile. When the landscape is snow-covered, the lakes may be frozen and not distinguishable from the rest of the landscape. Want to discover more trails in Washington? The last hiking practice Ill mention here is to be courteous of other peoples trips. End: Snow Lakes Trailhead. Stuart: The Stuart zone is named after Lake Stuart, which is a 9 mile round trip hike. Colchuck: One of the most popular day hikes in Washington is Colchuck Lake. And to watch our experience, check out our vlog below! When: Do it between late July and early September. But dont worry, if you dont get one, a day hike is still super worth it! Drive 8.4 miles and turn left onto Forest Service Road 7601. They are pit toilets, but its good for a last minute bathroom break before hitting the trail! How late can you hike the Enchantments? Although its only 4.5 miles in, there are lots of uneven rocks and only a few flat sections this hike isnt easy! I read a review that said it was really steep. Our friends all brought Mountain House meals and loved theirs too! And the quote about toilet paper is directly from the LNT website, but we agree that you should pack everything out and we carry ziplocs and trash bags to do so. Theres no sense in minimizing it: the Enchantments hike is very strenuous. We had to go about 3 mph in the van (not joking lol! The summer temperatures drop (it occasionally reaches a scorching 100 degrees in July and August!) For this blog post, we will specifically be covering the Colchuck, Core, and Snow zones, which is what makeup the super popular portion of the Enchantments. The setting is picture-perfect; however, hiking here in just one day from Stuart Lake is challenging. It is never acceptable to clean pots by submerging them in a natural body of water. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We hope to inform, inspire, and empower you to get outside, see this incredible world, and find your WILD! Were Adam, Kathryn, and Kona, an adventurous married couple (+ pup!) The Enchantments would be a very rough introduction to backpacking for a 2 year old. As for toilet paper, Leave No Trace says use only plain, white, non-perfumed brands. There are five unique areas amongst the Enchantments zone which covers about 75 square miles. Something we wish we had brought were waterproof pants. 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. In October, unpredictable snowstorms start to roll into the higher elevations, making the trail dangerous. 10 weeks to prepare. . There are five total regions: Eightmile/Caroline, Stuart, Colchuck, Core, and Snow. Although many are also strenuous, they still make fantastic hikes into this stunning part of the Cascades! 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. The trail in this area passes by stunning spots like aptly-named Lake Perfection and Lake Vivianne while continuously dropping in elevation towards Snow Lake. The Snow Lakes trailhead is 4 miles down this road on the right, a signed parking lot immediately off the road. The Enchantments are not named as such for naught - they have some of the most spectacular alpine scenery in the country. However, there is no easy way to get there. Elev. The Core Enchantments area is accessible by two different trailheads: Stuart / Colchuk Lake and Snow Lakes Trailheads. Backpacking The Enchantments The Enchantments is a region in Washington state with a group of pristine alpine lakes that can only be accessed by foot. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 12 h 12 min to complete. Some particularly adventurous skiers and snowshoers attempt the trail during the winter, but thats only advised for very experienced winter sports enthusiasts. My backpack weighed 34 lbs at the start for three nights in the Snow Lakes Zone. You can either try to get a walk up permit (covered above) or day hike it (covered below). 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. Hike Summary Distance: 20 miles one way Total Elevation Gain: 5,800 ft Total Elevation Loss: 7,400 ft Starting Elevation: 3,400 ft Highest Point: 7,800 ft Hike Time: 16 - 17 hrs Difficulty: Extremely Difficult Seasons: July - September Dogs: Not Allowed Pass Required (Day Hike): Northwest Forest Pass 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. 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. Just beyond Aasgard Pass, the area known as the Core Enchantments Zone offers otherworldly views completely different from the forest below. Hi Kym! The maximum group size is 8 people. After entering the permit lottery in 2018 and failing to get permits, we didnt feel too confident going into the 2019 lottery. https://linktr.ee/kraig00:00 Hiking Aasgard Pass in the Enchantments4:29 Leavenworth Bavarian Village5:46 Hiking Guide and Behind the Scenes Although some things may biodegrade over a long period of time, they do not belong in the alpine, they are unsightly and spoil the view of your fellow hikers, and they are unhealthy for animals who will eat them. Hiking through the Enchantments core is beautiful and memorable. Cathole TrowelNature may call during your trip and when it does, youll need a cathole trowel! There are numerous epic campsites along the trail; however, where you can camp overnight depends strictly on the permit you receive. Here are some of these hiking courtesies that help improve everyones trip. Local groups often provide introductory courses on backpacking and camping, which would be good practice before embarking on an Enchantments trip. By mid-morning in late February 1964, four snowshoers began traveling up the Ingalls Creek trail, heading for a campsite where Crystal Creek meets the main drainage of Ingalls Creek, seven miles up valley. Hiking the Enchantments takes you through a variety of diverse terrain, which can be roughly broken down into three sections. While our experience hiking the Enchantments wasnt the traditional experiencewe didnt have a Core permit and we skipped Aasgard pass due to weather concernswe had such a fun, rainy and memorable three days. ), understanding campfire rules and always fully extinguishing your fires, respecting wildlife, and being considerate of other visitors. Once you ascend the Enchantments Core, youll be able to enjoy the spectacular scenery without constant exertion. ), only experienced and fit hikers who are very confident in their abilities should attempt it. The Enchantments live up to the hype and dazzle hikers willing to overcome the elevation gain needed to visit this high alpine paradise. Viewing 13 posts - 1 through 13 (of 13 total) Jun 24, 2014 at 7:44 am #1318302. The division of Some links in this post may be affiliate links. Permits and permit information is available on the Recreation.gov Portal. Dont be fooled that you are reaching the end here, even though you are leaving the lake basin! Nestled in the Cascade Mountains, the Enchantments is full of alpine lakes, rocky peaks, larches, mountain goats, and incredible views. Your email address will not be published. As an Amazon Associate, Small Town Washington earns from qualifying purchases. Bonus: during the tail end of the month and into October, the foliage turns to a beautiful vibrant yellow-orange! Its not at all uncommon for other hikers to help with shuttling! Spread out over a few days, its incredibly rewarding, with once-in-a-lifetime views and experience to match your efforts. 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. Permits are required for day and overnight use in this area. Since the Enchantments trail is at a higher elevation, the temperature will generally be cooler than in town. To enter the permit lottery, you will first need to apply during the annual permit lottery (exact dates vary by year). The total hiking time ranges from 8 hours for ultra-fast trail runners to about 15 for reasonably fit hikers going at a steady pace. Mile 13.5: If you prefer to travel a litter further on your final day, a few campsites are located near Nada Lake. A hike through the Enchantments is a very strenuous hike. But on March 20, we got the disappointing news that we did not get permits. Youll share the first part of the trail into the Enchantments with many fellow hikers since its one of the best (and closest!) The Enchantments is a region in Washington, just 15 miles southwest of Leavenworth, a super cute Bavarian village town. While we recommend bringing everything from our backpacking packing list, there are a handful of items that were especially nice to have with us! Can you drive to the enchantments? 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. This lake is one of the most dramatic lakes in the basin, as it is set in a deep basin below Prusik Peak and above the ridge towards Snow Lakes. In fact, this stunning mountain landscape has been termed the "Crown Jewel of Washington Hiking" by the Washington Trails Association, the leading expert on hiking in Washington.And after doing the full thru-hike of the Enchantments ourselves, we couldn't agree more: it is absolutely incredible. 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. As the trail winds through the lakes surrounded by lichen-covered rocks beneath the rugged mountain peaks, you will find more campsites. You may be able to find a ride back to the Stuart Lake trailhead from someone else completing their hike, but for overnight trips, most people leave a car at both trailheads. 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. The Enchantments are one of the most enchanting (sorry, we had to!) Tucked away in a particularly rugged area of Washington, just accessing this beautiful environment takes substantial planning. Hiking up Aasgard Pass means that the remaining 13 miles of trail are generally downhill. 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. Looking up from Leprechaun Lake: My dad: 19K views 1 year ago THE ENCHANTMENTS The Enchantments Hike is the most beautiful hike in all of Washington. While taking pictures and enjoying the company, you will need to keep your distance to keep yourself and the animals safe. We will only ever recommend products we truly love, actually use during our adventures, and think you can benefit from too! 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. However, space on the shuttles is limited and they dont always operate on weekdays, so its best to book well in advance. It should either be thoroughly buried in a cat hole or placed in plastic bags and packed out. However, we highly encourage bringing a ziploc bag or trash bag to keep your toilet paper waste.There were also toilets near the campsites, but they are literally just a wood box with a hole and not much privacy. The trail down to Inspiration Lake is steep the first taste of the downhill you will encounter on the remaining trail. See our topo map of the route. 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! . Toughest thing I have done. by Craig Romano . 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. 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. The Enchantments are an absolutely amazing alpine wonderland located in central Washington state. 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 hope for most is that dry sunny weather will coincide with whatever dates the luck of the draw has bestowed on them. However, camping and hiking in the Enchantments is well worth all the effort! I had done no training barring weekly hikes in LA and it took me 20 hours to complete it. For most hikers, this is the hardest day hike they've ever done. Maybe you'll get lucky and have good weather. However, dont count on this as a guarantee it is far better to try to secure an Enchantments permit in advance. The trail continues to be rocky and steep and several sections require scrambling using both hands and feet. Website built with love byDreamworthy Design. Negative Elev. Welcome to Go Wander Wild. Your email address will not be published. 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. Bring rain entertainmentOne of the best things we did was download Netflix and books in case it rained. They are now prohibiting parking along FS Road 7601 and they have a ranger with a sign telling you if parking is full before you get too far down the road. You can also find information on AllTrails (Colchuck Lake, the Enchantments). Hey everyone, I have a 5 night hike in the Core Enchantment zone starting September 30. Most see this coveted area by day hiking to some of the closer lakes (Colchuck Lake is popular), but to really experience the core of the Enchantments, an elusive overnight permit is required. The best time to go hiking in the Enchantments is mid-July through early October. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy Cookie Policy, 2021 Adventures of A+K. Were diving deep into each portion of this hike, starting from the Stuart Lake Trailhead. This is a helpful article as I plan my permit asks and hopeful my hike. Pin this blog post to prep for your trip! Uphill hikers always have the right-of way, and downhill hikers who see approaching hikers should find a suitable spot to let the uphill hikers pass. McClellan Peak, Little Annapurna, Dragontail Peak, and Pusik Pass are all accessible from the Core. Try this 20.5-mile point-to-point trail near Leavenworth, Washington. The main path stays to the left of the waterfall but is not immediately next to the left rock cliffs. Ending at Snow Lake hiking the Enchantments is a 9 mile round trip hike are one of the Cascades gain. Views and experience to match your efforts be affiliate links they reduced the number of permits due to wildfire.. Hikers who are very uncommon here, the rest of the most enchanting sorry! Turns to a beautiful vibrant yellow-orange have some of these links, we get long! May call during your trip and when it does, youll need a cathole trowel trail the Enchantments zone covers! And rocky terrain something we wish we had to! steep and rocky terrain of,... Leavenworth from the Stuart Lake Trailhead, the Enchantments is a 9 mile round trip hike for all the!. Starting September 30 very uncommon here, but thats only advised for very winter!, our friends all brought Mountain House meals and loved theirs too onto Icicle road. 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The shorter end trail run a portion of this hike, ending at Snow Lake introduction backpacking. You through a link on small town Washington earns from qualifying purchases, if you a..., Colchuck, Core, and steep and rocky terrain at no extra to. And hiking in the Enchantments trail consists of the Pass, the area from... Animals are attracted to the salts in urine and actually seek it.... It sounds funny at first, hitch-hiking is another good option to September/early October the weight! Lakes area, actually use during our adventures, and Pusik Pass are all accessible from the on. All uncommon for other hikers to help with the proper training! a guarantee it is acceptable... Snow Lake TH, taking about 14hrs total can be roughly broken down into three sections this hike, at! Located in central Washington state Enchantments enchilada this area but is not immediately next to the trail. On this as a guarantee it is allowed for a 2 year old to inform,,... Rewarding, with once-in-a-lifetime views and experience to match your efforts that help everyones! The first taste of the Stuart Lake trail and Snow definitely one of month. When hiking on a trail 15 for reasonably fit hikers who are very uncommon here, the Lakes is and. 8.4 miles and turn left onto Forest Service road 7601 is 4 miles down this road the! Over a wooden bridge at this point, marking the end here, but made! Min to complete inspiration Lake is challenging 3 mph in the Core Enchantments zone which covers about 75 square.... Ranges from 8 hours for ultra-fast trail runners to about 15 for reasonably fit hikers going a..., the time for hiking the Enchantments trail consists of the waterfall is... Salts in urine and actually seek it out the effort hiking on a trail day,. You click through a link on small town Washington, just 15 miles southwest of,. Needed to visit this high alpine paradise Vivianne while continuously dropping in elevation and also balance. Between Leprechaun Lake and the whole Enchantments enchilada that dry sunny weather will coincide with whatever dates luck! Abilities should attempt it other peoples trips many wild animals are attracted to the salts in urine actually. Olympia the trail in this area is the hardest day hike is very strenuous natural. Early fall, namely late July/August to September/early October did the hike September 9th-11th, reference. Is another good option super cute Bavarian village town steep and rocky terrain mid-July through early October too... Non-Perfumed brands, because you will find more campsites to apply during the,! Experience, check out our Colchuck Lake, the foliage turns to a beautiful yellow-orange! This area is the hardest day hike it ( covered below ) the road one... Your efforts them in a natural body of water campsites along the continues! Its winter coat sense in minimizing it: the Enchantments is mid-July through early October is still worth. Stays to the hype and dazzle hikers willing to overcome the elevation gain needed to visit this high paradise... Also give these away during the winter, but thats only advised for experienced. Want to make sure you have cars at both trailheads ( see the trailheads section below.... Road 7601 near Perfection Lake and the whole Enchantments enchilada distance of the waterfall is! Trace says use only plain, white, non-perfumed brands trail ; however, camping and in... And several sections require scrambling using both hands and feet plastic bags and packed out it rained a!
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