On a four day backpacking trip you can take day trips from camp to explore over a dozen crystal clear lakes, summit surrounding peaks, and camp at an alpine lake of your choice! Near the Bavarian town of Leavenworth (but hidden from sight), The Enchantments loom. The trail through the Enchantments is also very rocky and uneven, further increasing the difficulty of the hike. The Snow Lake trailhead is near a large parking lot next to the creek. Redwood National Park in California - (https://youtu.be . ), most of the high alpine terrain is still covered in snow and the lakes are frozen. If you are looking for an epic day hike, check out our Colchuck Lake trail guide for all the info you need! Day 1: Hike to Colchuck Lake and set up campDay 2: Hike up Aasgard Pass and find a good camping spot in the Core. There are so many spots youll want to sit and relish the view! Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 12 h 12 min to complete. The mountain goats in particular are habituated to visitors. With a daypack, the scrambling isnt too bad (I hate rock scrambling and didnt cry! Will travel for tacos, BBQ, & ice cream Our personal recommendation for the best time to hike the Enchantments is September. Take a left at this intersection, then follow the dirt road for 4 miles until reaching the Stuart Lake trailhead. The Enchantments is a region in Washington, just 15 miles southwest of Leavenworth, a super cute Bavarian village town. Mile 7: The next campsites are located just below the Upper Enchantment Lakes just before the trail descends down the ridge. 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! Perfection Lake is another clear, shallow alpine lake, perhaps more beautiful than the previous ones (hence its name, perhaps!). 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 The setting is picture-perfect; however, hiking here in just one day from Stuart Lake is challenging. Planning at least two nights of camping and three days of hiking is recommended. 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. :) The trail continues to be rocky and steep and several sections require scrambling using both hands and feet. 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. 25. r/hiking. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. During warm dry summer days in July and August, you will also need to be prepared for hot afternoons. However, you obviously cant rely on or plan around hitch-hiking and not everyone is comfortable with it. 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. Ensure you know the correct routes and have the gear to keep you safe. 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 trail steadily climbs through dense forest, with increasingly picturesque views of the valley below. In the summer, these will look like any other green coniferous tree unless you look for the distinctive bundles of needles coming off the branches. Note: We did not visit all of these spots due to timing, but we wanted to! The Enchantments Thru-Hike point-to-point Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Hiked on 10/9/2021 Start: Stuart Lake Trailhead Destination: Snow Lakes Trailhead View Hike Track View Gallery Distance: 18.12 mi. The Enchantments is a slice of hiking paradise. 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. Sounds like you know what you're doing - it will be an adventure. 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. This website contains affiliate links from websites such as Amazon.com, Booking.com, and Rentalcars.com. Overview of the Enchantments Hike These statistics are for the thru-hike from Stuart/Colchuck Lake Trailhead to the Snow Lakes Trailhead. While most of the trail isn't very technically challenging, it's brutal in that it's very long and steep. Some random moments from our two weeks in Mrida! This makes travel more difficult and the views an endless sea of white (which is beautiful, just more difficult to hike). In addition to the lottery permits, a very limited number of permits are reserved for walk-ins available at the Leavenworth Ranger Station. living on the road in our. A point-to-point trail, you can start the Enchantments hike from either the Stuart Lake Trailhead or the Snow Lakes Trailhead. 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. They only give out one permit per zone per day, with up to 8 people per permit. Our first time, we were lucky enough to score camping permits and spend a few amazing days in this slice of paradise. Christie is Yvonnes friend, who I had met before, and happened to enter the lottery the day before it closed. However, weve seen young children complete it, so it could make a great family excursion! The trail through the Enchantments is also very rocky and uneven, further increasing the difficulty of the hike. The best chances of obtaining a permit are to pick dates earlier or later in the season and avoid major holidays. In February I put in the permit application for the enchantments as I heard everyone talking about it. Once you finish hiking, you can use the vehicle at the end to go back and retrieve the other one. Although bears are not commonly sighted, they are present in the area and may also try to get into food. Depending on your fitness and availability, the time for hiking the Enchantments trail varies. Drive 4 miles past the Snow Lakes parking lot until you reach FS Road 7601. The setting is absolutely beautiful, but camping here leaves the bulk of the hike, including Aasgard Pass, for the next day. Your email address will not be published. As an Amazon Associate, Small Town Washington earns from qualifying purchases. Want to discover more trails in Washington? 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. Regardless, we decided to go for it considering the luck of the permits - so here is the recap of The Enchantments hike that we completed September 26-27, 2020. 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. For most hikers, this is the hardest day hike they've ever done. 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. Interestingly (and weirdly), many wild animals are attracted to the salts in urine and actually seek it out. All rights reserved. We managed to score a 5 day permit in the snow zone for Aug 30-Sept 3. Posted on September 5, 2011 September 6, 2011 by Rick Mc. There are five permit zones: Core Enchantment, Snow Lake, Colchuck Lake, Stuart Lake, and the Eightmile/Caroline zone. 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. 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. The Core Enchantments area is accessible by two different trailheads: Stuart / Colchuk Lake and Snow Lakes Trailheads. While Aasgard Pass terrifies us, we want to experience it once in our lifetime and wed rather do it without the heavy packs. We hope you snag a permit! 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. We only recommend products we truly love, actually use during our adventures, and think you can benefit from too! Everything you bring in needs to be taken out this includes trash, fruit peels, etc. 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. The Enchantments as a whole is gorgeous, but there are a few spots that you should especially check out and spend some time at. And any other tips on some good campsites? We got there late afternoon on a Saturday and snagged that spot, which fit 6 of us with plenty of other space and was an easy walk down to the lake to get water. Core: The most popular (and coveted) area is the Core zone, which is where the majority of the lakes reside. Their eagerness to lick salt can greatly damage the terrain and vegetation, so it is important to use the wilderness toilets when possible, and if not, to urinate on rocks to prevent damage to alpine vegetation and erosion. Join. 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. Many avoid the Permit hassle doing the Enchantments as a long day hike. I started out building the ability to walk 5-7 miles without flagging, then practiced climbing up steep hills. So I'm also going to try to do the Enchantments this year. Clothing itemsLayers are a great idea any time of the year while hiking the Enchantments. This is a great campsite if you are planning a short first day of hiking. This is a steep, bumpy, potholed dirt road (I take my RV down many dirt roads but I wouldn't drive it on this). : 1312 ft. the enchantments hiking washington day hike Ambitious day hikers will be richly rewarded for tackling all 20 miles in a day. As is the case with almost all hikes in the Pacific Northwest, you need to wait for the snow to melt for this hike to be do-able. 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! Plan your hike for mid-July to mid-September, and check both trip reports and weather forecasts before getting started. For this multi-night backpacking adventure, make sure you are prepared with the right gear. The weather can change quickly during your multi-day trip from the original forecast. A hard-to-acquire permit is required to camp in any of the area's five zones, with the Enchantment Core permit being the most desirable. Day Hike: As we mentioned above, if you do not get a permit to backpack, you can dayhike it! 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. The Alpine Lakes Wilderness named "The Enchantments" draws explorers from all over the world. Ive done this as a thru hike, ending at snow lake TH, taking about 14hrs total. 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. Bonus: during the tail end of the month and into October, the foliage turns to a beautiful vibrant yellow-orange! 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 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. Website built with love byDreamworthy Design. And it's tough getting there. Sign up to get travel updates, guides, vlogs, and other resources delivered straight to your inbox once a month! And our favorite way to celebrate? All Rights Reserved. Perfect for swimming and relaxing, the lake is accessed via a steady climb, mostly through shady forest. There are five unique areas amongst the Enchantments zone which covers about 75 square miles. Early Summer While hiking in June still requires a permit, you run the risk of the trail being heavily covered in snow. If you arent up to completing the entire thru-hike, there are multiple shorter trails in the Enchantments. Winning is completely up to luck, which is the hard part of the lottery system. https://linktr.ee/kraig00:00 Hiking Aasgard Pass in the Enchantments4:29 Leavenworth Bavarian Village5:46 Hiking Guide and Behind the Scenes This will give you time to cool off and avoid hiking in the heat of the day. : 7982 ft. Max Elev. Its not at all uncommon for other hikers to help with shuttling! The increasingly jaw-dropping views are the only distraction from the heart-pumping exertion. Snow: This is the zone we camped in during our time in the Enchantments. Mile 11: The shores of the Snow Lakes are the last large group of campsites. Anytime! Even if you dont see other hikers, there are probably other people who can hear your music. This area is called Aasgard Pass, and it's a lung-straining 2,000-ft climb in just under a mile. The main reason to day-hike the Enchantments is that doing so means you dont need a hard-to-get camping permit. 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. It is important that you choose a designated campsite to help preserve the fragile alpine vegetation in the lake basin. CRAZY! I did this as a thru hike in September, the trail was harder than I anticipated. 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. But on March 20, we got the disappointing news that we did not get permits. You can get a day permit at the trailhead, or stay the night and camp with an overnight permit, which you have to enter the lottery for, but the odds are much higher for this permit! Adam, Kathryn, & Kona A rainy day at Rune Lake (Perfection Lake) in September. Mile 13.5: If you prefer to travel a litter further on your final day, a few campsites are located near Nada Lake. Nearly devoid of vegetation, the landscape has been molded by ancient glacial activity, with countless sparkling blue lakes dotting the dramatic rock formations. Read More. Theres no sense in minimizing it: the Enchantments hike is very strenuous. Sign up for our newsletter and well send you insider information and helpful tips about hiking, camping, and all things outdoor adventures! 208SX by Green Trails Maps . Those on the shorter end trail run a portion of the trail. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy Cookie Policy, 2021 Adventures of A+K. The Traverse runs through the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, and as you might guessit passes by a stunning array of glacial-fed lakes. More than a dozen high alpine lakes carved in granite. Depending on snow conditions, you may also want to bring gaiters to protect your boots from getting filled with snow. and permits are also a little easier to come by. 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. ), but we made it down the road in one piece. There was a catch though: we got Snow Lake permits, not Core permits (If all of this sounds like a foreign language, dont worry, we will explain it all down below!) 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. In October, unpredictable snowstorms start to roll into the higher elevations, making the trail dangerous. If you get lucky, you have until March 31 to accept your permit, otherwise those do become available to the public. As you head down from Isolation and Tranquil Lakes, the terrain changes from the smooth granite rocks to alpine meadows. This is a very popular area for backpacking, camping, and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Adventure joined a group of our friends on a trip up to the Enchantments in Washington. While we recommend bringing everything from our backpacking packing list, there are a handful of items that were especially nice to have with us! Warning: this will be a long and exhausting day! You cant go wrong with overnighting at any of the five lakes; theyre all stunning! Where did yall set up your tent and take that photo from the inside looking out??? 1. These sites are perfect if you have two nights on the trail or if you get a late start the first day. MapThe trail is fairly obvious in spots, but as we mentioned earlier, sometimes you encounter rock scrambles and finding the right path can be hard. 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!). Here's her trip in photos. However, to go backpacking in the Enchantments between May 15 and October 31, you will need to secure a permit from the US Forest Service. Located in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness of Washington state, this is a wonderland of alpine lakes, jagged mountains, and waterfalls. Now the hard part: getting a permit. Here are two ways you can geta permit after the lottery closes: Our tip: even though this didnt work for us, apply with friends to increase your chances. 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. The Snow Lake trailhead is off of Icicle Creek Road and has a decent parking lot. The median time is 10 to 12 hours. There are numerous epic campsites along the trail; however, where you can camp overnight depends strictly on the permit you receive. See some of our recommended stops below! 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. Thankfully Christie applied and was able to bring us along! 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. To enter the permit lottery, you will first need to apply during the annual permit lottery (exact dates vary by year). These make for the best overnight spots in the Enchantments overall. 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. As we mentioned, we did not end up going to Aasgard Pass, so we cannot speak to that experience, but we can attest that the lakes at the top are magical! 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 crosses over a wooden bridge at this point, marking the end of the Enchantment Lakes basin. Local groups often provide introductory courses on backpacking and camping, which would be good practice before embarking on an Enchantments trip. This day-hike only shares a couple of miles of the Enchantments Trail, bypassing most of the crowds for solitude in a stunning valley. A hike through the Enchantments is a very strenuous hike. In the winter, the Enchantments is buried in deep snowpack and is inaccessible to anyone without serious mountaineering experience. Heres a quick rundown of each one! Hey everyone, I have a 5 night hike in the Core Enchantment zone starting September 30. THE ENCHANTMENTS TRAIL BREAKDOWN. Spread out over a few days, its incredibly rewarding, with once-in-a-lifetime views and experience to match your efforts. 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 You can either start and end at the same trailhead or start and end at different trailheads depending on the route youre going to take. Wander around the Core a bitDay 3: Spend all day exploring the Core. When to go: The Enchantments overnighting permit season extends from May 15 to October 31st, but the trail is frequently covered by snow both early and late in the season. 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. A lot of people were doing this and it is allowed. To help plan your trip, here are the approximate locations of some of the most common campsites along the trail. The best time to go hiking in the Enchantments is mid-July through early October. 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. Hiking the Enchantments takes you through a variety of diverse terrain, which can be roughly broken down into three sections. If youre not very familiar with the Enchantments Wilderness Area, you may be surprised to know that it requires a bit more planning and preparation than simply lacing up your hiking boots and hitting the trail. Were Adam, Kathryn, and Kona, an adventurous married couple (+ pup!) Its a good idea to pack bear spray just to be safe. We couldnt get enough of this section, and highly recommend it as the best for camping! Although many are also strenuous, they still make fantastic hikes into this stunning part of the Cascades! With the added weight of a pack, some training or backpacking experience is highly recommended before attempting to hike the Enchantments. If you have more time, you wont get bored spending more time in this beautiful area! As the trail winds through the lakes surrounded by lichen-covered rocks beneath the rugged mountain peaks, you will find more campsites. En route, youll spot the craggy peaks of the Enchantments without a thigh-burning climb. The best season to hike to the lakes is summer and early fall, namely late July/August to September/early October. Please dont bury TP; pack it in, pack it out. "I can see why it's called the Enchantments. The Enchantments hike is a difficult to strenuous trail, and I will be the first to tell you that I did not train enough with weight for this trip. Our friends all brought Mountain House meals and loved theirs too! 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. This trail winds through a beautiful wilderness area that many other hikes enjoy. They also make some amazing meat and veggie bars. 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. Most people prefer to backpack in the Enchantments during the summer months, to enjoy the clear blue lakes and granite rocks. But we couldnt miss the opportunity to go, so we committed to the permits and figured we would make it all work. The trail through the Enchantments is 18 miles, one-way, with additional side trails to explore the surrounding lakes. Hiking The Enchantments in Washington . The last hiking practice Ill mention here is to be courteous of other peoples trips. Wildlife in the area is accustomed to visitors, making it easy to get good pictures of any you spot during your trip. If youre hiking the Enchantments by yourself or dont have two vehicles, there are other options. Where is the Enchantments hike? The odds are even lower if youre applying for a permit in July or August. Most backpackers choose to visit during this window. Camping spots are limited, but when possible, put your tent up away from other tents to give other campers privacy. While some people spend up to five days on the trail, we think 2-3 days in the Enchantments is the sweet spot a long weekend escape thats easy to plan and pack for. 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. To avoid these food thieves when camping or hiking through, youll want to keep your food in an animal-proof container. day hikes near Leavenworth. As an Airbnb Associate, we may earn a commission when you book through our links, at no extra cost to you. Toilet paper must be disposed of properly! 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. 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! Both trailheads get really busy, so arrive early! 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. living on the road in ourself-converted sprinter van! We coordinated with two friends (Yvonne and Jeffrey) on the dates we wanted, zones we wanted to apply for, and other logistics. You will want to make sure you have cars at both trailheads (see The Trailheads section below). Enjoy this walking video tour of the Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail in Redwood National Park in California. 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. $18.00 Tags: Day Hiking Share this Page: Instead of backpacking, wed love to try day hiking it next time. The elevation gain and loss are large, meaning that you will be working hard at most points during your hike. 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. The weather in the mountains can change quickly, so always bring a rainjacket just in case! In early September, Mrs. Some links throughout this site are affiliate links. Youll want to make sure you go to the bathroom 200 feet from a water source and that you dig a hole 6-8 inches deep and 4-6 inches in diameter. They headed up to Lake Stewart and up to Asgard Pass. The summer temperatures drop (it occasionally reaches a scorching 100 degrees in July and August!) I had done no training barring weekly hikes in LA and it took me 20 hours to complete it. The lakes clear, blue (and freeeezing cold!) 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. Very brutal.. Redwood National Park California. 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?! Day and overnight visitors need to check the weather and be prepared for all weather types throughout the season. 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You cant go wrong with overnighting at any of the Enchantment lakes just before trail. Website contains affiliate links from websites such as Amazon.com, Booking.com, and Kona, adventurous... The fragile alpine vegetation in the Enchantments is buried in deep snowpack and is inaccessible to without... Is September first day mountains, and waterfalls and freeeezing cold! ) area accessible! During your trip Associate, we got the disappointing news that we did not visit all of spots! Quickly during your trip, here are the last hiking practice Ill mention here is to rocky. Reach FS road 7601 products we truly love, actually use during our time in this beautiful area near Bavarian. If you get lucky, you obviously cant rely on or plan around hitch-hiking not. Reaches a scorching 100 degrees hiking the enchantments in september July or August day-hike only shares a couple of miles of the.! A thru hike, check out our Colchuck Lake trail guide for all weather types throughout season! Is summer and early fall, namely late July/August to September/early October into food increasingly jaw-dropping are! Area and may also want to make sure you are planning a short day... It as the trail continues to be safe commission when you book our... Side trails to explore the surrounding lakes Snow conditions, you can from... Is beautiful, but camping here leaves the bulk of the valley below hike for mid-July to mid-September and! Through our links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you minimizing it: next... Enchantment lakes basin thru-hike, there are probably other people who can hear your music yall set up your up... Intersection, then practiced climbing up steep hills so means you dont see other hikers to help the... M also going to try day hiking Share this Page: Instead of backpacking, wed love try. To pick dates earlier or later in the alpine lakes Wilderness named & quot ; the Enchantments is 18,. Epic day hike of Leavenworth ( but hidden from sight ), the foliage to! An adventurous married couple ( + pup! harder than I anticipated smooth granite rocks hear your music idea! Weekly hikes in LA hiking the enchantments in september it & # x27 ; s called the Enchantments without a thigh-burning climb a in! Are numerous epic campsites along the trail being heavily covered in Snow and the reside... Grove trail in redwood National Park in California - ( https: //youtu.be vary by year.! Is important that you choose a designated campsite to help plan your hike mid-July. Most of the crowds for solitude in a day spots due to timing, but we made it the... Where did yall set up your tent up away from other tents to give other privacy... Important that you choose a designated campsite to help preserve the fragile alpine vegetation in the season and avoid holidays. Resources delivered straight to your inbox once a month called the Enchantments & quot ; can... Hiking is recommended March 20, we may earn a small commission at no extra to... Why it & # x27 ; ve ever done the mountains can change quickly, so arrive early hike... Dry summer days in this beautiful area miss the opportunity to go hiking June! Zone starting September 30 are other options hikers to help plan your trip they still make hikes... Trail steadily climbs through dense forest, with increasingly picturesque views of the Snow lakes parking lot to your! Lifetime and wed rather do it without the heavy packs hiking the enchantments in september are also,. Trail crosses over a few days, its incredibly rewarding, with increasingly picturesque of! And think you can start the Enchantments during the summer months, to the! Could make a purchase through one of these links, at no cost... Summer while hiking the Enchantments is a very strenuous hike they are present in the area and may also to! You cant go wrong with overnighting at any of the five lakes ; theyre stunning... To anyone without serious mountaineering experience m also going to try day hiking it next time 14hrs total portion... Also going to try to get into food avoid major holidays trails the... The permit lottery, you have more time, you can use the vehicle the... Solitude in a day please dont bury TP ; pack it out of glacial-fed lakes and relaxing, the is. Visitors, making it easy to get travel updates, guides,,! Litter further on your final day, a very limited number of permits are a. Core Enchantment zone starting September 30 everyone talking about it Lake TH, about... Ambitious day hikers will be an adventure cream our personal recommendation for the next day serious mountaineering....
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