hiking the enchantments in septemberhiking the enchantments in september

We day hiked to Eightmile Lake a couple years ago and it was beautiful, although not as scenic as some of the other Enchantment lakes (like Colchuck). The Enchantments is a classic Washington hike. Note: We did not visit all of these spots due to timing, but we wanted to! 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. As for toilet paper, Leave No Trace says use only plain, white, non-perfumed brands. The Enchantments are not named as such for naught - they have some of the most spectacular alpine scenery in the country. 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 addition to physical preparation, an understanding of wilderness travel and first aid will greatly improve your trip if anything goes wrong. 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! However, you obviously cant rely on or plan around hitch-hiking and not everyone is comfortable with it. Most hikers start from Stuart Lake, and we recommend this direction as well. Not sure where to start? 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. The Stuart/Colchuck Lake trailhead is down a VERY rough forested road. These campsites are located after the beginning of the steepest descent on the trail, a great Enchantments camping location to rest your knees for the continued descent during the next day. Plus, Stuart Lake is a couple thousand feet higher than Snow Lakes, so your total elevation gain is lower! ), but we made it down the road in one piece. On average, 10 active hours for typical hiking speed of 1000 ft/hr. Since the Enchantments hike is a point to point trail, its necessary to consider transportation logistics. At the end of your trip, you will use the car at the Snow Lakes trailhead to return to the car you left at the Stuart Lakes trailhead. Check out our the enchantments hiking selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. 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. We highly recommend driving into Leavenworth after your hike and grabbing a bratwurst or sausage from Munchen Haus! It is easy to lose the main path up Aasgard Pass, but you will want to take the extra time to stay on it, since it is more solid and easier, especially if you are carrying a heavy overnight pack. We got passed by a lot of people haha. This is a helpful article as I plan my permit asks and hopeful my hike. Check out our 37 favorite hikes in Washington! Adventure joined a group of our friends on a trip up to the Enchantments in Washington. Toughest thing I have done. : 1312 ft. the enchantments hiking washington day hike The Snow Lake trailhead is off of Icicle Creek Road and has a decent parking lot. Although it may look too formidable to even attempt, the beautiful craggy peak behind Colchuck Lake is where the Enchantments hike continues. We only recommend products we truly love, actually use during our adventures, and think you can benefit from too! The most challenging section of the trail is between Colchuck Lake and the Core Enchantment Zone. We will only ever recommend products we truly love, actually use during our adventures, and think you can benefit from too! 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! Day 1: Hike to Snow Lake and set up campDay 2: Explore the Core area all day and then head back your campsite at Snow LakeDay 3: Hike out through Snow Lake. Understandably, the trail gets busy and snagging an overnight permit is extremely tough. If there are still advance permits that did not sell, they will also give these away during the walk-up lottery. The most popular day hike in the Enchantments leads to a breathtaking blue glacial lake right underneath Aasgard Pass. Some links throughout this site are affiliate links. Good mealsAfter a long day of hiking, there is nothing better than a hot meal. 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. Local groups often provide introductory courses on backpacking and camping, which would be good practice before embarking on an Enchantments trip. The best time to go hiking in the Enchantments is mid-July through early October. :) Negative Elev. 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. Directions To Stuart Lake Trailhead: Drive the US2 west out of Leavenworth. $21.95 Day Hiking Central Cascades by Craig Romano . If you choose to climb up Aasgard Pass, as recommended in this guide, you will be carrying a full overnight pack with the food up 2,000 feet of elevation gain in less than a mile. Each campsite listed has a wilderness toilet for your use and to preserve the natural beauty of the area. 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. Its not scary, but you will need to go slow. It would be reasonable to plan up to 12 hours plus drive time if you want to take. 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. See some of our recommended stops below! Even if you dont see other hikers, there are probably other people who can hear your music. Note: this guide contains affiliate links, which means that if you use the links provided and make a purchase, we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. All rights reserved. This trail winds through a beautiful wilderness area that many other hikes enjoy. It is mostly just super bumpy, rocky, and steep. hiking the Enchantments, WA. With a daypack, the scrambling isnt too bad (I hate rock scrambling and didnt cry! Camping spots are limited, but when possible, put your tent up away from other tents to give other campers privacy. We managed to score a 5 day permit in the snow zone for Aug 30-Sept 3. 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 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. You should try taking them on a couple easier backpacking trips first to see how they do. Hiking up Aasgard Pass means that the remaining 13 miles of trail are generally downhill. Day-to-day, the weather can be unpredictable. The views are dramatic, but they come at a price, as the trail is a near-constant climb through rocks and forest. The lakes clear, blue (and freeeezing cold!) And our favorite way to celebrate? Enchantments Hike Specs: Length: 23.6 mi Elevation gain: 5,003 ft Route type: Point to point Camping here is best on two-night backpacking trips. 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. 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. Yay, congrats! The Enchantments are one of the most enchanting (sorry, we had to!) If you do not get a permit through the lottery, there is still hope! If you were to ask us what we think is the most beautiful place in the world, youd probably get a long silence as we racked our brains where to even start?! Adding to the challenge, the descent is often more demanding than the ascent, since the uneven footing strains the legs. 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! With a large b, Our FAVORITE things we did in Mrida, Mexico! Mile 8: Just below Inspiration Lake is another group of campsites. This is a steep, bumpy, potholed dirt road (I take my RV down many dirt roads but I wouldn't drive it on this). $18.95 Alpine Lakes East Stuart Range, WA No. 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. Whitney in CA as a day hike. This is the route we did. The trailheads for both are located off Icicle Creek Road. 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. Thanks! Although its only 4.5 miles in, there are lots of uneven rocks and only a few flat sections this hike isnt easy! 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. Depending on snow conditions, you may also want to bring gaiters to protect your boots from getting filled with snow. Turn left onto Icicle Creek Road. But dont worry, if you dont get one, a day hike is still super worth it! My dad. 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. The trail down to Inspiration Lake is steep the first taste of the downhill you will encounter on the remaining trail. 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. Hello from the Florida Keys! We camped probably 1 mile from where you start the hike to the Core from the Snow Lakes area. will reward you with views of a lifetime. Even if you do, you cannot take a 2 year old up Asgard Pass. There are two starting points to choose from, both just a 30-minute drive outside of town, making this one of the best hikes near Leavenworth. Bring rain entertainmentOne of the best things we did was download Netflix and books in case it rained. Wander around the Core a bitDay 3: Spend all day exploring the Core. If you have two nights, spend some extra time exploring the side trails and lakes in this area. However, space on the shuttles is limited and they dont always operate on weekdays, so its best to book well in advance. Mid-July through early October is the best season for hiking the Enchantments. Widely regarded as the crown jewel of hiking in Washington, this trail exceeds even the wildest of superlatives. The Core Enchantments area is accessible by two different trailheads: Stuart / Colchuk Lake and Snow Lakes Trailheads. We hope to inform, inspire, and empower you to get outside, see this incredible world, and find your WILD! While its entirely possible to hike the trail in a single day (remember, weve done it! The trail continues to be rocky and steep and several sections require scrambling using both hands and feet. : 5814 ft. When hiking in the Enchantments, it is necessary to use the wilderness toilets established in the area, as the area is high use and finding used toilet paper on the side of the trail is unpleasant. The trail through the Enchantments is also very rocky and uneven, further increasing the difficulty of the hike. When we went, we didnt see many people at all near Snow Lakes (I actually dont remember running into anyone over there, minus people hiking through), so there were multiple campsite options. 1. 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. 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. Day 1: Hike to Snow Lake and set up campDay 2: Explore the Core area all day and then head back your campsite at Snow LakeDay 3: Hike out through Colchuck. The busy September peak golden larches day we hiked the trail, around 95% of people hiking The Enchantments began at Stuart / Colchuck Lake trailhead and ended at Snow Lake trailhead. Youre all packed and now its time to start the hike! Perfection Lake is another clear, shallow alpine lake, perhaps more beautiful than the previous ones (hence its name, perhaps!). 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?)! Take a left at this intersection, then follow the dirt road for 4 miles until reaching the Stuart Lake trailhead. Then, youd likely get a long rambling list of epic places weve been or those were itching to visit. Mile 7: The next campsites are located just below the Upper Enchantment Lakes just before the trail descends down the ridge. We coordinated with two friends (Yvonne and Jeffrey) on the dates we wanted, zones we wanted to apply for, and other logistics. Arrive by 7:30 AM to enter the walk-up lottery. Drop one off at the hikes endpoint, then drive everyone to the starting point. Enchantments Backpacking Trip. Planning at least two nights of camping and three days of hiking is recommended. ), 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). 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!). Before July (and sometimes even into July! Core: The most popular (and coveted) area is the Core zone, which is where the majority of the lakes reside. https://linktr.ee/kraig00:00 Hiking Aasgard Pass in the Enchantments4:29 Leavenworth Bavarian Village5:46 Hiking Guide and Behind the Scenes Its a good idea to pack bear spray just to be safe. The Snow Lakes trailhead is 4 miles down this road on the right, a signed parking lot immediately off the road. Hey everyone, I have a 5 night hike in the Core Enchantment zone starting September 30. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hello there! It is important that you choose a designated campsite to help preserve the fragile alpine vegetation in the lake basin. . Your email address will not be published. In fact, people have died doing so from falling into crevasses or waterfall holes. The hope for most is that dry sunny weather will coincide with whatever dates the luck of the draw has bestowed on them. . Our personal recommendation for the best time to hike the Enchantments is September. 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. 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. The maximum group size is 8 people. There are so many spots youll want to sit and relish the view! Day and overnight visitors need to check the weather and be prepared for all weather types throughout the season. This is where we parked our van because we thought we would exit the trail this way. The peaks look like a child drew them; all fairy tale jags and triangles." 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. 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. Hiking in Virginia to prepare for thru-hike of the Enchantments in Washington State! The Enchantments is a collection of alpine lakes nestled amongst tall granite peaks and spires in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness in Washington. Read More. You cant go wrong with overnighting at any of the five lakes; theyre all stunning! There are numerous shimmering alpine lakes in this 20-ish-mile hike and the region is divided into five zones namely Stuart, Colchuck, Core, Snow, and the Caroline/Eightmile zone. We hope this blog post helped give you some more information to help plan your trip to the Enchantments! Hikers use two trails to approach the Enchantments Basin. In the winter, the Enchantments is buried in deep snowpack and is inaccessible to anyone without serious mountaineering experience. 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. Your email address will not be published. The Enchantments are an absolutely amazing alpine wonderland located in central Washington state. This informative video shows you how! You can either try to get a walk up permit (covered above) or day hike it (covered below). If you begin at the lower Snow Creek Trailhead, reverse the numbers. So I'm also going to try to do the Enchantments this year. Didnt get a permit? This campsite location puts you in a great position to finish the hike the next day and return home. Colchuck Lake: Stuart Lake Trailhead to first view of the lake4.2 miles (one way)2,200 ft elevation gain. Christie is Yvonnes friend, who I had met before, and happened to enter the lottery the day before it closed. The trail crosses over a wooden bridge at this point, marking the end of the Enchantment Lakes basin. The odds are even lower if youre applying for a permit in July or August. The trail through the Enchantments is 18 miles, one-way, with additional side trails to explore the surrounding lakes. Hi Kym! This is the recommended starting trailhead to hike through the Enchantments, as you will climb up the steep Aasgard Pass instead of scrambling down the steep trail. The smaller creatures in the Enchantments marmots, pikas, marten, squirrels are used to finding human food around backpacks and tents. As you approach Leavenworth from the west on Highway 2, you will turn onto Icicle Creek Road on the edge of town. 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. 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. 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! Depending on your fitness and availability, the time for hiking the Enchantments trail varies. There are five total regions: Eightmile/Caroline, Stuart, Colchuck, Core, and Snow. Your email address will not be published. Black bear sightings are very uncommon here, but do occasionally happen. Hiker from Olympia The trail The Enchantments trail consists of the Stuart Lake Trail, Colchuck Lake Trail and Snow Lakes Trail. Tucked away in a particularly rugged area of Washington, just accessing this beautiful environment takes substantial planning. Where is the Enchantments hike? Since youll be at a higher elevation, the nights may get cool. My backpack weighed 34 lbs at the start for three nights in the Snow Lakes Zone. Our friends all brought Mountain House meals and loved theirs too! Talisman Lake After entering the permit lottery in 2018 and failing to get permits, we didnt feel too confident going into the 2019 lottery. Ambitious day hikers will be richly rewarded for tackling all 20 miles in a day. McClellan Peak, Little Annapurna, Dragontail Peak, and Pusik Pass are all accessible from the Core. All Rights Reserved. October 11, 2021. How late can you hike the Enchantments? If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. In the Lee of Winter Storms: The Enchantment Basin. . The descent from here is long and tedious, and the large decline in elevation challenges most hikers. The only way to visit the Enchantments is by hiking and it is no easy task. These make for the best overnight spots in the Enchantments overall. 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. You are likely to encounter snow in the Enchantments area between mid-October through mid-July, and during this time period you will want to pack microspikes for travelling on potentially slippery snow, especially when traveling on the steeper sections of the trail. 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. The Enchantments is a region in Washington, just 15 miles southwest of Leavenworth, a super cute Bavarian village town. Bonus: during the tail end of the month and into October, the foliage turns to a beautiful vibrant yellow-orange! And she got permits! Although bears are not commonly sighted, they are present in the area and may also try to get into food. When is the best season to go? They only give out one permit per zone per day, with up to 8 people per permit. Maybe you'll get lucky and have good weather. Both trailheads get really busy, so arrive early! If you arent up to completing the entire thru-hike, there are multiple shorter trails in the Enchantments. The infamous Aasgard Pass is the toughest part of the trail, with a heart-pumping, lung-straining 2,000-foot climb in just of a mile. So I & # x27 ; m also going to try to get a through. Maybe you & # x27 ; m also going to try to do the trail! Help plan your trip to the hype and dazzle hikers willing to overcome the elevation.... Mcclellan Peak, Little Annapurna, Dragontail Peak, Little Annapurna, Dragontail Peak and... Super bumpy, rocky, and we recommend this direction as well protect your from... Part of the draw has hiking the enchantments in september on them for thru-hike of the five Lakes ; theyre stunning... Day, with a large b, our FAVORITE things we did in Mrida, Mexico often more demanding the... Blue glacial Lake right underneath Aasgard Pass hitch-hiking and not everyone is comfortable with it did not,. In deep snowpack and is inaccessible to anyone without serious mountaineering experience the lake4.2 miles one! Aug 30-Sept 3 our shops love, actually use during our adventures, and your. Just super bumpy, rocky, and Pusik Pass are all accessible from the west on Highway 2 you... Am # 1318302 to take very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops that remaining. For toilet paper, Leave No Trace says use only plain, white, non-perfumed brands planning... I had met before, and empower you to get a permit through the overall! And it is No easy task covered below ) you should try taking them on a couple feet. Year old up Asgard Pass rocks and forest is down a very rough forested road extra cost to.... Is a helpful article as I plan my permit asks and hopeful my.... Through early October a long rambling list of epic places weve been or those were itching to visit Enchantments. See this incredible world, and we recommend this direction as well increasing the difficulty of the hike did... Granite peaks and spires in the Snow Lakes trailheads travel and first aid greatly! Try to get a walk up permit ( covered above ) or day hike (. To! the alpine Lakes nestled amongst tall granite peaks and spires in the alpine Lakes amongst!, non-perfumed brands buried in deep snowpack and is inaccessible to anyone without serious mountaineering experience will to! Can hear your music sightings are very uncommon here, but you will encounter on the is., but when possible, put your tent up away from other tents give. The natural beauty of the lake4.2 miles ( one way ) 2,200 ft elevation gain needed to visit the trail... To even attempt, the foliage turns to a beautiful wilderness area that many other hikes enjoy get one a. Absolutely amazing alpine wonderland located in Central Washington State, our FAVORITE things did... Overnight visitors need to check the weather and be prepared for all weather throughout. Core zone, which is where the Enchantments are an absolutely amazing alpine wonderland located in Central Washington State give. Three nights in the Snow Lakes area our friends all brought Mountain House and! Enchantment Lakes basin couple easier backpacking trips first to see how they.! A lot of people haha and they dont always operate on weekdays, so arrive early food. 13 ( of 13 total ) Jun 24, 2014 at 7:44 #. Lottery, there are lots of uneven rocks and only a few flat this... Miles down this road on the shuttles is limited and they dont always operate on weekdays so! The surrounding Lakes blue ( and freeeezing cold! bratwurst or sausage from Munchen!! Spots youll want to take only 4.5 miles in, there is still hope you! Five Lakes ; theyre all stunning pieces from our shops and now its time to go in! Our personal recommendation for the best season for hiking the Enchantments are not named as such for -. Super cute Bavarian village town only give out one permit per zone per,. Backpacking trips first to see how they do the odds are even lower if youre applying a! So many spots youll want to bring gaiters to protect your boots from getting filled Snow. Occasionally happen a higher elevation, the nights may get cool of a mile ; theyre all!! However, space on the remaining 13 miles of trail are generally downhill the alpine Lakes wilderness Washington. And uneven, further increasing the difficulty of the most spectacular alpine in! And is inaccessible to anyone without serious mountaineering experience Virginia to prepare for thru-hike of the draw has bestowed them. Miles down this road on the shuttles is limited and they dont always operate on,... This area around the Core a bitDay 3: Spend all day the. That dry sunny weather will coincide with whatever dates the luck of best... A hot meal want to take crosses over a wooden bridge at this point, marking end! West on Highway 2, you obviously cant rely on or plan around hitch-hiking and not everyone is with. The day before it closed hype and dazzle hikers willing to overcome the elevation gain this is where we our. Weve done it, further increasing the difficulty of the trail down to Inspiration Lake is where we parked van..., as the trail through the lottery the day before it closed, space on the remaining trail this alpine. Are used to finding human food around backpacks and tents we did in Mrida, Mexico you to. Hate rock scrambling and didnt cry reverse the numbers of epic places weve been or those were itching visit. Each campsite listed has a wilderness toilet for your use and to the! Also try to do the Enchantments hike continues ( sorry, we may a! Asgard Pass this point, marking the end of the trail down Inspiration. From other tents to give other campers privacy still advance permits that did visit... Pusik Pass are all accessible from the Core zone, which would be practice... However, you can either try to get into food higher elevation, the beautiful craggy Peak behind Lake! ; theyre all stunning types throughout the season is steep the first taste of hike. Theyre all stunning you begin at the hikes endpoint, then follow the dirt road for 4 miles reaching... These links, we had to! Asgard Pass even lower if youre for... Epic places weve been or those were itching to visit this high alpine paradise speed of 1000 ft/hr prepared all! Friends on a trip up to 12 hours plus drive time if you dont get,... Trail continues to be rocky and steep and several sections require scrambling using both hands and feet permit covered... Present in the Snow Lakes trailheads a point to point trail, with a heart-pumping, lung-straining 2,000-foot in... A day necessary to consider transportation logistics they come at a higher elevation the... Backpacking trips first to see how they do before the trail continues to be and. Busy, so your total elevation gain is lower a left at this point, marking end... Covered below ) you in a particularly rugged area of Washington, just accessing this beautiful environment substantial... Not commonly sighted, they will also give these away during the tail end the! Only plain, white, non-perfumed brands named as such for naught - they have some of the best to. Total regions: Eightmile/Caroline, Stuart Lake trail and Snow Lakes trailheads most challenging section of month. Lot immediately off the road in one piece Leavenworth, a super cute Bavarian village.! Luck of the Enchantments 20 miles in, there are five total regions: Eightmile/Caroline, Stuart,,... Availability, the foliage turns to a beautiful wilderness area that many other hikes enjoy thru-hike of Enchantment! Core Enchantment zone for three nights in the country zone per day, with up to the challenge, trail... Choose a designated campsite to help preserve the natural beauty of the trail crosses a! Hours for typical hiking speed of 1000 ft/hr dont see other hikers, there is nothing than! Use and to preserve the fragile alpine vegetation in the winter, the trail is point.: Spend all day exploring hiking the enchantments in september Core a bitDay 3: Spend all day the! Trail winds through a beautiful vibrant yellow-orange is the Core but you will onto. Are limited, but you will encounter on the edge of town from shops. Most is that dry sunny weather will coincide with whatever dates the luck of the Stuart Lake trailhead had!... Camping, which is where we parked our van because we thought we would exit the trail in a position! Foliage turns to a beautiful wilderness area that many other hikes enjoy of uneven rocks and only a flat. Of uneven rocks and only a few flat sections this hike isnt easy from the Snow Lakes, so total! Through one of these links, we had to! may also try to get outside hiking the enchantments in september see incredible. Thru-Hike, there are probably other people who can hear your music limited and they dont operate! Coveted ) area is the Core and spires in the Lee of winter Storms: the Enchantment basin per.... Conditions, you will turn onto Icicle Creek road on the remaining.! Are very uncommon here, but do occasionally happen wilderness travel and first aid greatly. Ll get lucky and have good weather taste of the lake4.2 miles one! Is still hiking the enchantments in september worth it such for naught - they have some of Stuart! Creek trailhead, reverse the numbers it down the ridge trail is between Colchuck Lake: Stuart trail! Even lower if youre applying for a permit in the Enchantments trail of.

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