Some route-finding is also necessary, as the hike becomes more of a boulder scramble with hands and feet required for balance. These permits can be difficult to secure, as most of them are drawn on a lottery. We were so thankful we brought layers as we froze during the hike. You may also be able to snag a spot later in the evening when day hikers are leaving. 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?)! How late can you hike the Enchantments? 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. Mile 8: Just below Inspiration Lake is another group of campsites. In this video, we provide a complete day hiking guide so you can complete the. The trailheads for both are located off Icicle Creek Road. Sounds like you know what you're doing - it will be an adventure. Almost immediately beyond the lake, the trail becomes littered with large boulders and scree, making a bit of route-finding a sudden necessity. Interestingly (and weirdly), many wild animals are attracted to the salts in urine and actually seek it out. More than a dozen high alpine lakes carved in granite. However difficult the climb up the pass, you will be rewarded with a campsite within the core zone of the Enchantments, next to the lakes with the highest elevation along the trail, surrounded by granite and lichen-covered rocks. 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. Enchantments Backpacking Trip. With over 2,000 feet of elevation gain in less than a single mile in distance, the climb challenges both stamina and determination. And do it on a hot daya record-breaking hot day is even better. 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? Bonus: during the tail end of the month and into October, the foliage turns to a beautiful vibrant yellow-orange! It should actually called "Asskick Pass". Here you will also encounter larches, the iconic coniferous tree with deciduous needles that turn bright yellow before they drop for the winter. 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. Turn left onto Icicle Creek Road. And any other tips on some good campsites? The Enchantments is a region in Washington, just 15 miles southwest of Leavenworth, a super cute Bavarian village town. Enjoy this walking video tour of the Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail in Redwood National Park in California. The Enchantments are one of the most enchanting (sorry, we had to!) In addition to physical preparation, an understanding of wilderness travel and first aid will greatly improve your trip if anything goes wrong. a little bit of snow on the trail even in early September They are pit toilets, but its good for a last minute bathroom break before hitting the trail! In addition to the lottery permits, a very limited number of permits are reserved for walk-ins available at the Leavenworth Ranger Station. I did the hike September 9th-11th, for reference. October 11, 2021. Here is a sample packing list for your trip, More Hiking: 21 Bucket List Hikes in Washington State, More North Cascades: 15 Best Hikes in North Cascades National Park, Waterfall Hikes: 11 Best Waterfalls in Washington State + Hikes to Find Them, Hiking Near Seattle: 11 Best Day Hikes Near Seattle. It'll vary depending on how many breaks are taken for how long and if you can trail-run parts of it. Its also nice to see how far you have to your next stop . One thing thats good to know is that we saw a lot of different mileage reports for this hike. Most people prefer to backpack in the Enchantments during the summer months, to enjoy the clear blue lakes and granite rocks. Viewing 13 posts - 1 through 13 (of 13 total) Jun 24, 2014 at 7:44 am #1318302. : 7982 ft. Max Elev. External chargerThis is a must for a multi-day backpacking trip! Spread out over a few days, its incredibly rewarding, with once-in-a-lifetime views and experience to match your efforts. Here's her trip in photos. Enter: Christie, our Enchantments savior. The increasingly jaw-dropping views are the only distraction from the heart-pumping exertion. Comment below if you have questions about hiking the Enchantments in Washington state and well do our best to get back to you! Your email address will not be published. This is a very popular area for backpacking, camping, and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. It is one of our favorite Washington memories and we cannot wait to experience it again someday! The hope for most is that dry sunny weather will coincide with whatever dates the luck of the draw has bestowed on them. Ensure you know the correct routes and have the gear to keep you safe. As you approach Leavenworth from the west on Highway 2, you will turn onto Icicle Creek Road on the edge of town. 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. Adding to the challenge, the descent is often more demanding than the ascent, since the uneven footing strains the legs. The main path stays to the left of the waterfall but is not immediately next to the left rock cliffs. Posted on September 5, 2011 September 6, 2011 by Rick Mc. In either direction, the trail is stunning, offering views across the Cascades and passing by numerous bright-blue glacial lakes and chiseled mountain peaks. I read a review that said it was really steep. 208SX by Green Trails Maps . Try this 20.5-mile point-to-point trail near Leavenworth, Washington. The odds are even lower if youre applying for a permit in July or August. The best times to hike in the Enchantments are lake summer and early fall. All Rights Reserved. The permit season for the Enchantments is between May 15 and October 31. 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. Near the Bavarian town of Leavenworth (but hidden from sight), The Enchantments loom. Although its rare for them to be aggressive, weve heard of instances where mother goats have attacked hikers trying to protect their kids. But the best partshe got six permits, which meant that Yvonne, Jeffrey, Adam, and myself could all go with her and her boyfriend Jackson! You can also find information on AllTrails (Colchuck Lake, the Enchantments). With FOOD! hiking the Enchantments, WA. The. Once here, depending on your schedule, you may want to camp overnight. We only recommend products we truly love, actually use during our adventures, and think you can benefit from too! Although many are also strenuous, they still make fantastic hikes into this stunning part of the Cascades! Warning: this will be a long and exhausting day! If you are cooking in the alpine, research proper techniques for cleaning pots and pans. In October, unpredictable snowstorms start to roll into the higher elevations, making the trail dangerous. They also make some amazing meat and veggie bars. Some particularly adventurous skiers and snowshoers attempt the trail during the winter, but thats only advised for very experienced winter sports enthusiasts. Wildlife in the area is accustomed to visitors, making it easy to get good pictures of any you spot during your trip. From the Stuart Lake Trailhead, the trail heads first towards Colchuck Lake a 4-mile hike from the trailhead. A point-to-point trail, you can start the Enchantments hike from either the Stuart Lake Trailhead or the Snow Lakes Trailhead. So on September 14, with fully loaded packs, we headed into the Enchantments! Check out our the enchantments hiking selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. Some random moments from our two weeks in Mrida! Best 2-Person Tents for Camping & Backpacking, 17 Best Hikes in Capitol Reef National Park, Utah, Dispersed Camping: What is It & How to Find Dispersed Campsites, 25 Hiking Lunch Ideas to Keep You Fed on the Trail, Cracker Lake Trail Guide for Glacier National Park, Tips for Eco Camping: A Guide for the Environmentally Conscious Camper, navigation: physical map, phone* with offline maps downloaded (or both), layers (here is a great resource if youre wondering, sun protection: sunscreen, hat, sun glasses, water bottles and bladder for your Camelbak, way to purify your water (we used our Grayl water bottles on this trail and they were fantastic! Note: We did not visit all of these spots due to timing, but we wanted to! End: Snow Lakes Trailhead. Permits: This day-hike only shares a couple of miles of the Enchantments Trail, bypassing most of the crowds for solitude in a stunning valley. The Enchantments don't come easy. The trail continues to be rocky and steep and several sections require scrambling using both hands and feet. 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. To be on the safe side, plan your hike for mid-July to late-September. 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. Theyre especially perfect for people spending just one night on the trail, since youll conquer most of the elevation on the first day and have nothing but downhill miles the second. Note: Winners are drawn at random, so it makes absolutely no difference when you apply, as long as its within the application period. This is a great campsite if you are planning a short first day of hiking. 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. Those on the shorter end trail run a portion of the trail. Wander around the Core a bitDay 3: Spend all day exploring the Core. . Even when youre not tackling the pass, its necessary to pay attention to your footing and maintain consistent stamina through the strenuous ups and downs. Dont worry, not all hope is lost. Christie is Yvonnes friend, who I had met before, and happened to enter the lottery the day before it closed. places in Washington and in this guide were sharing all of our tips for hiking the Enchantments, including how to get permits, what to pack, different route options, and things to know before you go!This past September we got to knock off an item from our bucket list: hiking the Enchantments in Washington! Anytime! Once you reach Colchuck Lake, the trail proceeds around the edge of the lake, passing by the campsites until it crosses the boulder field on the other side of the lake and then begins the steep passage up Aasgard Pass. 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. Hot day is even better heard of instances where mother goats have hikers., they still make fantastic hikes into this stunning part of the waterfall but is not immediately to... It should actually called & quot ; Asskick Pass & quot ; Asskick Pass quot... Are leaving, you may want to camp overnight the Snow lakes Trailhead for them to be aggressive, heard! Attempt the trail it again someday near the Bavarian town of Leavenworth, Washington Washington. Like you know the correct routes and have the gear to keep you safe are one of month! 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