Login | Signup
(Update Current Location)
Related Pages:
Nearby Destinations
Nearby Guides

How does this work?
Leavenworth, Washington, United States

The Enchantments

The first comprehensive guide to The Enchantments... including photos, side trips, camps, even toilets!

The Enchantments
Viewed 6699 times
    This guide contains photos
 (2 votes, 1 review)
Difficulty: Difficult
Length: 18.0 miles / 29.0 km
Duration: Multiple days
 
Overview: This is THE backpacking destination in the state of Washington. Wander through soft tundra meadows, glacial-cirque lakes, crystal clear trickling streams, and impossible granite rock formations in the heart of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. It will make you feel like you're in a completely different part of the world.

Note that you MUST have a permit to camp in this area and they are distributed months in advance, so plan ahead and see below for more info.

This area is thought to be discovered by A.H. Sylvester, who was originally a topographer for the USGS but went on to supervise Wenatchee National Forest starting in 1908. Climbers didn't start enjoying this area for recreation until the late 1940's. [100 Hikes in Washington's Alpine Lakes (1st ed.), Spring, Ira; Manning, Harvey, 1993] And the permit system, designed to protect the area from destructive humans, was not put in place until 1981.

The big question is: which side to enter from? The Snow Lake entrance is longer, more gradual, and less scenic. The Colchuck Lake entrance is shorter and steeper (maybe even slippery and dangerous), but Colchuck Lake is beautiful. The traditional entrance would be Snow Lake because this side brings you through the Enchantments "in order," meaning you start in the Lower Enchantments and work your way up to the Upper Enchantments.

It's your choice, but this guide is written assuming you're hiking in from Snow Lake, all the way through the Enchantments, and out the Colchuck Lake side.

The permit lottery system might actually decide this for you based on what zones you're allowed to camp in!

We've actually seem some individuals more on the "hard" end of the spectrum that will do this entire through-hike in one day. If you have a light pack, it's possible, but bring a headlamp and enough food and gear to spend the night if you have to.

I included some waypoints for good campsites and toilets which will hopefully help you plan your nights and your morning coffee. By no means are these ALL of the campsites and toilets, but I've included some that I think are pretty nice. Oh yes, some of the toilets up here in the Enchantments are truly amazing because of the views they offer. But probably a more complete reference for campsites and toilets is the paper map that you pick up with your camping permit at the ranger station in Leavenworth.

No fires or dogs up here. But there will be enough scenery to keep you company.

Tips: I recommend an overnight trip that's at least two nights, hopefully three. For this, you'll need a permit, which is not easy to get.

Applications for permits are accepted starting in February each year. There is an art to applying because you can be as flexible as you want with dates and locations. It's always a balancing act between trying to get the right time of year and making sure you actually get a permit. You usually know by March/April if you "scored" and are permitted camp up there. Permits are broken out by Zones: Core Enchantments, Snow Lake, and Colchuck Lake. Even if you don't get the Core Enchantments, you can still really enjoy the area by keeping camp at Snow or Colchuck Lakes.

If you don't get one, show up at the Leavenworth Ranger Station at 7:45 AM Mon-Sat to see if you can get lucky and grab from the small daily lottery. If you still fail, it's probably worth waiting until after 9 AM, when they start handing out unclaimed reserved permits.

Watch out for mice at your campsite. Get all your food bagged up and airtight. Hang it up in a tree if you want. They probably won't get into unopened Mountain House meals and I've seen heavy-duty Ziploc bags (fully airtight) cloak the smell of food so they didn't take interest. But they can and will chew through the material of your backpack to get to food that they can smell from the outside.

Points of Interest

Parking
map

Snow Lake trailhead
A bit more than 2 hours from Seattle, drive Highway 2 toward Leavenworth, then just before reaching town, turn right (south) on Icicle Creek road. The trailhead will be on your left in 4 miles after turning. Elevation 1400'. Lock your car up here and make sure you have your keys! There is an outhouse here. If you're doing a thru-hike all the way to the Stuart Lake/Colchuk Lake trailhead, don't forget you'll need a car parked up there, too. If you're parking here for multiple days, don't forget to put your Enchantments parking permit on your dashboard. If you're just here for the day, you'll still need a Northwest Forest Pass to park.
Water
map

Icicle Creek crossing
Savor this flat moment right after the start, because you're about to hit some serious switchbacks going up the hill!
Viewpoint
map

Switchbacks
Hang in there, you're about halfway through these switchbacks. You'll gain about 1300' in these first 1.5 miles. Enjoy views up the valley, unfortunately because trees in this area have been cleared by wildfires in 1994, 2001, and 2004.
Mountain
map

Snow Creek Wall
There's a rocky 4100' point on this ridge across the valley called Snow Creek Wall. You might see rock climbers up there. You're at about 2600' right now and the trail kinda levels out a bit around here.
Water
map

Snow Creek crossing #1
At about 4200' you cross Snow Creek here. If you came from the Snow Lake trailhead, this is a great place to stop and eat lunch, especially if it's hot. The forest is nice and cool here. However, Nada Lake is only another 700' from here, so if you still feel energized, push on.
Water
map

Nada Lake
After walking flat for a bit, you'll come up on 4900' Nada Lake. Bugs can be bad here, but this is a great place to stop and eat. There are a few nice flat places along the shore that are marked "Day use only" that you can use to relax. Great views up toward The Temple. If you're heading up from the Snow Lake trailhead, this would be an option for camping on your first night. But Snow Lake is just up the hill and gets you that much closer to the Enchantments for the following day.
Landmark
map

Snow Lake drainage
The trail switches back once above Nada Lake and you might see the drainage spilling water out of Snow Lake above you. This drainage can be turned on and off remotely and is used to regulate the flow through Snow Creek and make sure the Leavenworth Fish Hatchery below gets a good supply of fresh water. It was put in place in the 1930's, well before this area became a permit-only backpacking destination. This is also a great view of Nada Lake from up here.
Water
map

Snow Lake
Welcome to Snow Lake! There are two lakes: Upper and Lower. This is an old stone dam/bridge between the Upper and Lower Snow Lakes. Be careful here, as the dam is crumbly in parts. There are a variety of campsites available all around you right now, some on the shores of the upper lake and some on the shores of the lower.

If you're trying to do some time calculations, note that it is about 1 mile from this point to the top end of the lake and could take you 45 minutes to 1 hour to get around the lake.

If you camp out here at Snow Lake, stay up late, because the stars up here are incredible. And if there is a full moon, then you're in for a treat with how the moon can really light up The Temple (the mountain above that dominates the lake's setting).
Water
map

Snow Creek crossing #2
At the top end of Snow Lake, you'll cross Snow Creek just above where it empties into Snow Lake. The bridge can be sketchy if it's wet. It consists of three logs, so make sure you position your feet on the inside curve of the outer logs, so that they kind of slip toward the center log. This is a great place to grab some water if you need a refill.

Keep your eye on the trail here if you're headed uphill, because the trail takes a tight turn upstream after the bridge and it might be easy to miss.

I once came across a woman at this bridge and when asked whether she prefers filtering versus chemically treating drinking water, she said she's been coming up here with her husband for 15 years and they don't do any kind of filtering or treating...and neither of them have ever been sick. Not that I'm recommending that.
Water
map

Lake Viviane
Lake Viviane, elevation 6800', is the lowest lake of the Lower Enchantments. It's a 1500' elevation gain from down at Snow Lake to this spot. Quite a trudge, but once you get up here, trust me, your energy will be renewed. There's an awesome little beach here right by the outlet which makes a great rest stop.

One of the major attractions of the Enchantments is the yellow larch trees in the fall. Larches are one of the few (the only?) species of deciduous conifers. This means they are like pine trees in that they have needles, but the needles actually turn color and drop every year. Things start changing in late September, but October is probably the best time to see the turned larches.

Like many of the lakes up here, I find it hard to capture the entire scene with a single photo because of how high the surrounding peaks shoot up into the sky. The Temple and Prusik Peak surround the lake on the north side. The trail continues south, across the outlet. It can be difficult to find at times, so just follow the cairns. It you're interested in a short side trip, Temple Lake is to the north from here, just right over the hill.
Water
map

Temple Lake (sidetrip)
Temple Lake, 6880', is just a short side trip from the main trail. It's got a great beach and some good swimming if it's a warm day. You have to walk around the west side to get to the beach because the east side is not very passable. There are some great rocks to jump off of along the eastern shore. Also the little knoll between Temple Lake and Lake Viviane offers awesome views down to Lake Viviane and even up at Little Annapurna.
Viewpoint
map

Rebar
There's one kinda tricky move in this spot but you'll do fine if you're careful. You have to walk across a big steep granite slab and there's some rebar drilled into the rock to assist you. If the rock is dry, you don't even really need it, but it's nice to know it's there. Over the years it seems like there are fewer and fewer pieces of rebar and it's being replaced by some cement steps.
Water
map

Leprechaun Lake
Leprechaun Lake (6880') has an interesting horseshoe shape to it, so you'll end up walking by two parts of it that might make it feel like two different lakes. This lake is less cliffy around the edges and more hilly. Pretty easy walking around here, but be careful walking on the rocks along one section because one wrong move and you'll get wet!
Water
map

Waterfall
This waterfall is too good to be true. It looks like somebody's landscaping, doesn't it? Just above this waterfall is a beautiful meadow with water trickling through it.

One of the amazing things about the Enchantments is all of the water features that fall somewhere in between being categorized as a "lake" or a "stream." This stretch of trail between Leprechaun Lake and Sprite Lake (above) is probably my favorite part of the Lower Enchantments.
Water
map

Sprite Lake
Sprite Lake is a tiny little lake that Perfection Lake (above) empties out into. There's a nice little waterfall between the two and if you aim your camera properly you can get a great shot of the waterfall with Little Annapurna in the background. The main trail continues around the right shore of Perfection Lake, but if you cross this waterfall and go the other way, it looks like just a short jaunt over to Crystal Lake. I've never been there, so that's for you to explore!
Water
map

Perfection Lake
Perfection Lake (7000') is well-named. This is the classic view of Little Annapurna on the other side, its gradual slope on the right, steep rocky spires on the left. There's also an awesome just-out-of-reach waterfall right across the lake from this point, which is where Inspiration Lake (above) spills into Perfection Lake. The meadows on the north end of Perfection Lake (by the Prusik Pass junction) are just right, with a manicured stepping-stone trail and meandering streams to cross.
Junction
map

Prusik Pass turnoff
Turn north here for a little side trip up to Prusik Pass. It's less than 1/2 mile and just under 500' of elevation gain to get up there. Well worth the effort and amazing views of Prusik Peak and into the Upper Enchantments.
Viewpoint
map

Prusik Pass (sidetrip)
It's obvious once you get to the pass because you'll see Shield Lake below on the other side. But scramble up this hill a little ways to the east, toward Prusik Peak, and you'll top a small ridge with incredible views of the peak and into the Upper Enchantments. On a nice day you might see some climbers on Prusik Peak. Prusik Peak (8000') is sort of an icon of the Enchantments region and is photographed almost as often as Lady Gaga.

Here's a little quest for you if you're into it. You may have seen some of the classic Prusik Peak photos taken up close with a small lake in front of it (like this one). These are usually taken from a place called Gnome Tarn, which is a just downhill from you, almost straight south along this ridge. I've never been there, but maybe you want to try to get down there. Should be pretty easy.
Water
map

Inspiration Lake
You'll walk around Inspiration Lake (7200') to get to this spot, which kind of marks the boundary between the Upper and Lower Enchantments. But t's only about 400' of elevation gain, so no biggie. This area can have stretches of snow crossing even in late summer. As you climb up above Inspiration Lake in the rock and sand, say bye-bye to the Lower Enchantments and prepare yourself for the high meadows. It will be worth it!
Viewpoint
map

Crystal Lake view
You can look down on Crystal Lake (7000') from this overlook, nestled between McClellan Peak and Little Annapurna. Someday I'll go down there, probably via Perfection Lake. There's a small stand of trees just uphill from here that you'll pass through before emerging into one of my favorite meadows in the Enchantments.
Water
map

Upper Enchantments and 'Swim Rock'
Our favorite spot in the Upper Enchantments. You've got huge cliffy peaks to the west, Little Annapurna to the south, an amazing selection of trickling streams and pools, small glaciers above you, probably some snow nearby, hopefully some sunshine...and, just across the stream to your right as you hike uphill, this perfectly smooth rock positioned just inches above a crystal-clear swimming hole, deep enough to jump into, but shallow enough to touch bottom (if you're 6'7" like lamprizzle). Cross the stream just down from the rock. Are you kidding me? I mean look at this place. Take a load off and jump in. There are even several campsites in this area, so stay the night. Sunrises are unbelievable from here and you might even see some goats hanging around. This spot also serves as a good landmark if you want to head uphill to the south for a Little Annapurna peak-bag side trip. This spot right here is what the Enchantments are all about. Okay, I'm done.
Mountain
map

Little Annapurna summit (sidetrip)
Just a 900' climb from the meadows below, Little Annapurna (8450') looks imposing from down at Perfection Lake, but here it is so very reachable. You can easily eyeball your route up this thing and it's a simple Class 2-3 scramble. Climb to the top and get great views of the entire Enchantments and the peaks of the Stuart Range to the west. The summit itself is very interesting, with almost man-made looking rocky spines parallel to each other. You wouldn't expect them just looking up here from below. They're great to climb up on for that final lofty summit feeling. And the Needles below give this perch an eerie feel.
Water
map

'Jiffy Pop' Beach / Isolation Lake
So named because we had a relaxing afternoon here one year throwing down on some Jiffy Pop. There is a small sandy beach that kind of sticks out into Isolation Lake (7700') that would make a great camp site. From here up, there is not really much more vegetation, so if you need shelter for camping, look around for big boulders. Not all campsites are right off the trail, so you may need to poke around a bit.

Not much more than 100 years ago, this entire upper basin was filled with Snow Creek Glacier, which now just is just a remnant in the shadows of Little Annapurna.
Viewpoint
map

Aasgard Pass
You're standing at the top of Aasgard Pass. This is the very tip-top of the Upper Enchantments. You're either really tired from climbing up this thing or you're about to be really tired from climbing down. The pass (from the top down to Colchuck Lake) is 2200' in just over 1 mile! Talk about elevation gain. It is brutal, especially if you're wearing an overnight pack, in which case I would be safe and allow 3-4 hours to get up or 2-3 to get down. Enjoy the rocky spires above you on both sides, but watch your footing. It can be tough because there are small rocks and even steep stretches of just plain ol' slippery dirt. That's Dragontail Peak to the west.
Water
map

Colchuck Lake
This lake (5570') is the "other side" or the "back door" to the Enchantments. Sorry Snow, but Colchuck Lake has you beat as far as scenery and accessibility. Looking south, awesome views of the cliffy Dragontail Peak on the left and Colchuck Peak on the right. That's Aasgard Pass to the left of Dragontail Peak. It makes a tough climb into the Enchantments (see the POI).

There are lots of camps around this lake, but the bugs can be bad in July and August, even into September if you set up in the more marshy areas. If all the camps are taken, sometimes you can find a spot on the beach at the south end. The main trail skirts around the western edge of the lake but it takes longer than you might think to get around it since there is a pretty big boulder field to cross on the southwest corner. It's almost a mile from where you first see the lake to the bottom of Aasgard Pass and may take an hour to do it if you're taking proper care through the boulder field.
Water
map

Mountaineer Creek (upper crossing)
You're crossing Mountaineer Creek at about 4500'. I see this point as the transition between the steeper portion of the trail (above you) and the more gradual (below you). If you're coming uphill, you've already walked about 2/3 of the distance to Colchuck Lake, but you still have half of the elevation gain left. It's another 1000' up to Colchuck Lake. Above here, the scenery is really nice though. There are plenty of places where the trail breaks out into the open and you get good views of the peaks above.
Junction
map

Stuart Lake junction
The main trail, #1599, goes between the trailhead and Stewart Lake and the south turn, labeled #1599.1, goes up to Colchuck Lake and the Enchantments.
Water
map

Mountaineer Creek (lower crossing)
You're crossing Mountaineer Creek at about 4000', the lower of two crossings of this creek. Right now you're about 1.5 miles from the Stuart/Colchuck Lake trailhead.
Parking
map

Stuart Lake/Colchuck Lake trailhead
This trailhead can get busy, so hopefully you locked up your things if you left a car here. Elevation 3400'. To get here, drive 8.5 miles on Icicle Road from Hwy 2, just on the west edge of Leavenworth. (Or 4.2 miles up Icicle Road from the Snow Creek trailhead). Then take a left on Forest Road 7601 and drive about 3.7 more miles to the trailhead. There is an outhouse here. This trailhead serves Stuart Lake and Colchuck Lake. If you're parking here for multiple days, don't forget to put your Enchantments parking permit on your dashboard. If you're just here for the day, you'll still need a Northwest Forest Pass to park.
Restroom
map

toilet
Campground
map

campsite
Restroom
map

toilet
Campground
map

campsite
Campground
map

campsite
Restroom
map

toilet
I actually used this one. Best view from a toilet that I've ever seen.
Campground
map

campsite
Campground
map

campsite
Restroom
map

toilet
Campground
map

campsite
Campground
map

campsite
A little bit of bushwhacking required, but a nice beach spot if the water level is right and you want to get a head start on Aasgard Pass in the morning.
Restroom
map

toilet
Great view from here. Breathtaking in more ways than one.
Restroom
map

toilet
Pictures in this guide taken by: lamprizzle
How does this work?
Reviews
JMilesMiller
Great job on this Guide. Very well done. I got to explore a little of the Enchantments last year backpacking into Stuart Lake. Such a beautiful place.
Visited on Aug 31, 2011

by JMilesMiller 2 days ago

The Enchantments Trail Map


POIs: numbers | icons View large Trail Map

Have an iPhone or Android?

  • Map your route while you move
  • Add trip photos to your map instantly
  • Share trips right from your phone
  • Find and follow trips from other travelers

Available For:
iPhone | Android

About the Author

lamprizzle
lamprizzle
1 guide
view lamprizzle's profile
A few of the tracks you see under my profile might not actually be tracks I've made, but GPX files I've...

The Enchantments 3 Day Forecast

Extended Forecast
Other Resources
How To Get There
Get directions from:
Everytrail: Mobile Apps | About | Blog | Forum | Help | TOS | Privacy | Developer API | Advertise | Follow EveryTrail on Twitter | Become a fan on Facebook
Copyright © 2012 GlobalMotion Media Inc.
Language: English | Deutsch | Français | Italiano | Nederlands