The Enchantments

Trip

Backpack - The Enchantments

With sparkling blue-green alpine lakes, granite peaks, waterfalls, and mountain vistas; the Enchantment Lakes Traverse is one of the most epic backpacking trips in the Pacific Northwest.

  • Very Strenuous
  • Challenging
  • Mileage: 18.0 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 6,500 ft
  • High Point Elevation: 7,800 ft
  • Pace: 1.0 - 2 mph

Meeting time and place to be determined.

If severe weather is in the forecast, this trip may be cancelled. 

I highly recommend staying in Leavenworth the night before the trip. Octoberfest falls on the 5th of October, so secure your campsite / room as soon as possible.  

 

Route to be determined.  I will take everyone's input into consideration before choosing our route.

We will go at the pace of the slowest person.  Please be patient.  Please be kind.  That being said,  this is a very strenuous trip.  Know your abilities and limits before signing up. 

My permit is for the Snow Zone.

The Snow Zone includes the Snow Lakes and Nada Lake basin, and the Snow Creek drainage. A permit for this zone allows visitors to use any established campsite within the zone. The area is mostly forested, and can be more forgiving to campers during bad weather than the other permit zones, but still has great views of the rugged surrounding peaks. The trail climbs steadily for 6.5 miles from the Snow Lakes Trailhead, gaining 4100 feet en route to Upper Snow Lake. Beyond Snow Lakes, the trail becomes more primitive in character, ascending steeply over granite slabs another 1400 feet to Lake Viviane, which is within the Core Enchantment Permit Zone. Groups with a Snow Zone permit are welcome to day hike throughout the Core Enchantments, but must camp within the Snow Lake Zone. There are no established campsites between Upper Snow and Lake Viviane.

Cost of the trip is $20.00 to cover the cost of the permit.  

Additional Information (Planning Your Trip)

Enchantments Rules & Regulations

More details will be provided as the date gets closer.  

Route/Place

The Enchantments



  • Green Trails Alpine Lakes East (Stuart Range) No. 208SX

    Green Trails Enchantment Lakes No. 209S
  • See full route/place details.
Roster
Required Equipment

Required Equipment

The Ten Essentials plus overnight gear which may include:

  • Tent with footprint/ground tarp
  • Stove and fuel
  • Sleeping bag
  • Sleeping pad
  • Water filter
  • Bear canister or extra stuff sack and cord designated for hanging food
  • Cooking pot/pan with plate and utensils
  • Toilet paper and shovel or blue bag to deal with waste
Trip Reports