Length of Time:
8 to 15 hours
. Those on the shorter end trail run a portion of the trail. Those on the longer end tend to linger longer at the lakes. The median time is 10 to 12 hours.
How long does it take to run the Enchantments?
The Enchantment Lakes traverse is a 19-mile trail, usually completed as a multi-day backpack. To do that requires scheduling ahead to get a permit (pffft, planning?). That left us one alternative:
run it in a day
.
When should I hike enchantments?
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. Plan your hike for mid-July to mid-September, and check both trip reports and weather forecasts before getting started.
How do I prepare for enchantments hike?
PREPARE PHYSICALLY (and MENTALLY)
. In addition to about 8-10 hours of general aerobic exercise a week and some strength training, be sure to take day hikes on weekends, progressively longer and more challenging (8-15 miles) over a couple months leading up within 1-2 weeks before your Enchantments day hike.
Do you need a permit to day hike the enchantments?
Due to the overwhelming popularity of this unique area,
all visitors must obtain a permit if visiting from May 15 through October 31
. Day users need only fill out a free day-use permit, available at any of the three trailheads accessing The Enchantment Permit Area.
Can you swim in the Enchantments?
Route:
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
. See our topo map of the route.
Where should I stay in Enchantments?
- Fairbridge Inn & Suites. 2-star. Downtown Leavenworth9.2 miles to The Enchantments. …
- Icicle Village Resort. 3.5-star. …
- Obertal Inn. 2-star. …
- Enzian Inn. 3-star. …
- Der Ritterhof Inn. 2.5-star. …
- Bavarian Lodge. 3.5-star. …
- Blue Elk Inn. 2.5-star. …
- LOGE Leavenworth Downtown. 3-star.
How do you get to Enchantments WA?
To reach the trailhead, turn onto Icicle Creek Road from US2 on the very western edge of Leavenworth. Drive 8.4 miles and turn left onto Forest Service Road 7601. Follow the bumpy, sometimes potholed dirt road 3.7 miles to the Stuart Lake trailhead. Parking for about 20-30 cars and a toilet are available in the lot.
Can dogs hike The Enchantments?
There are several areas, however, where dogs are not permitted or must be on leash: Enchantments and Ingalls Lake Trail – Because of heavy hiker use and the fragile ecosystem of these areas,
dogs are not allowed anywhere in the Enchantments Basin
and on the Ingalls Lake Trail.
What should I bring to Enchantments?
- pack- Osprey 65L, still loving this pack!
- pack rain cover (ended up using this a couple times)
- hiking poles.
- tent (love, love, love our Big Agnes Copper Spur UL 3)
- sleeping bag ( I have a mummy Marmot down sleeping bag and hate the mummy style so much.
Do you need bear spray in the Enchantments?
There are not actually any specific food storage regulations for the Enchantments, so
we decided not to carry our bear canister to reduce weight
as bears are not a big issue in this area.
Are there toilets in the Enchantments?
The network of 40-plus vault toilets located through the Enchantment Basin
is one of the main reasons the area remains so pristine. Each vault can contain 230 pounds or more of human waste.
Is Colchuck Lake hike hard?
Discover this 9.00 mile, out and back trail near Leavenworth, Washington.
Generally considered a challenging route
, it takes an average of 5 h 10 min to complete.
How long can you stay in the Enchantments?
NOTE: A Core Enchantment Zone permit will allow you to camp in any of the 5 permit zones. Maximum length of stay is
14 consecutive days
.
Can you camp in the Enchantments?
The Enchantment Permit Area Zones
During the permit season,
camping is restricted to the zone for which a permit is issued
. The only exception to this is that those obtaining a Core Enchantment Permit are also allowed to camp in any of the other zones.
Is there cell service in the Enchantments?
Coverage is non-existent from the Stuart Lake trailhead to Aasgard Pass
. Don’t expect to post Facebook pictures, but texts in the upper and lower Enchantments did go through for us. To learn more about cell coverage in the wilderness check out the Cairn App.
How many lakes are in the Enchantments?
At an elevation of 4,500 feet (1,372 m), it is home to
over 700
alpine lakes and ponds surrounded by the vast peaks of Cashmere Crags, which rate among the best rock-climbing sites in the western United States.
Can you swim in Colchuck?
The lake was beautiful as ever, not much to say on that. There were maybe 20 -30 people hanging around when we arrived up top so we hiked along the lake for some privacy. We all went swimming as it was miserably hot the whole way up,
the lake is shockingly cold, but worth the panic and pain of the initial plunge.
How do you win the enchantments lottery?
Tips. If you wish to see Enchantment Basin, you’ll have much better odds of winning the lottery if you
apply for a permit in either the Colchuck or Snow Zones and plan on day-hiking up to the basin
(rather than applying to camp there).
Is Colchuck trail open?
The gate on Road #7601 near junction with Icicle Road is closed and locked for the season (November 12, 2021)
. The road accesses Eightmile and Colchuck/Stuart trailheads. The road is closed to vehicles every winter to protect the roadbed from damage and prevent hazardous travel on the steep exposed snow covered road.
