RidgeSyncThe Enchantments Backpacking Itinerary: A 2 to 3 Day Through-Hike
The Enchantments, a basin of alpine lakes and granite peaks in Washington's Alpine Lakes Wilderness, is one of the most photographed backpacking destinations in the country, and one of the hardest permits to get. The classic trip is a one-way traverse: up the Stuart Lake trailhead past Colchuck Lake, over Aasgard Pass into the core zone, and out via the Snow Lakes trailhead, roughly 18 to 19 miles with well over 6,000 ft of gain.
Most parties split this into 2 or 3 days, camping in the core zone or Snow Lakes zone. The permit system, not the terrain, is usually the harder part of the planning.
Day 1: Stuart Lake trailhead to the core zone via Aasgard Pass
From the Stuart Lake trailhead, hike past Colchuck Lake (a worthwhile stop and a common turnaround for day hikers) and begin the climb up Aasgard Pass, a brutal, mostly unmaintained 2,200 ft climb in about three quarters of a mile that is the physical and mental crux of the entire route. Above the pass, the trail opens into the core Enchantment Basin: Isolation Lake, Inspiration Lake, and Perfection Lake among the highlights.
Camp in the core zone if your permit covers it, sites here put you in the heart of the basin for sunrise and sunset, the reason most people do this trip in the first place.
Day 2: Through the basin toward Snow Lakes zone
Continue through the core basin past Sprite Lake and Lake Viviane, then begin the long descent through the Snow Lakes zone toward the trailhead, dropping over 4,000 ft across the day. Many parties camp a second night near Upper or Lower Snow Lakes to break up this descent rather than pushing straight through.
The trail below the core zone is well maintained but relentless downhill on tired legs, budget real time for the descent, it's longer than the mileage alone suggests.
Day 3 (optional): Snow Lakes to trailhead
A shorter finishing day out to the Snow Lakes trailhead near Leavenworth, roughly 5 to 6 miles of continued descent. Parties confident in a strong second day sometimes push straight through in 2 days total instead.
Permits and logistics
- Overnight permits for the Enchantment Permit Area are allocated by a February lottery through recreation.gov, and demand vastly exceeds supply, especially for core zone camping
- The trip is normally hiked as a one-way traverse, which requires a car shuttle or pre-arranged pickup between the Stuart Lake and Snow Lakes trailheads, they are not close together by road
- Aasgard Pass has no maintained trail, exposed scree and loose rock, and holds snow well into summer some years, check current conditions before committing to a specific date
- Bear canisters or approved storage and a stove-only policy (no wood fires) apply throughout the core zone; treat all water
Frequently asked questions
How do you get an Enchantments permit?
Through a February lottery on recreation.gov for the Enchantment Permit Area. Demand is extremely high, especially for core zone camping, and most applicants don't draw a permit for their first-choice dates.
How hard is the Enchantments through-hike?
Very strenuous: roughly 18 to 19 miles with over 6,000 ft of gain, centered on the Aasgard Pass climb, a steep, unmaintained 2,200 ft scramble that is the hardest single section of the route.
Do you need a car shuttle for the Enchantments?
Yes, for the classic one-way traverse. The Stuart Lake and Snow Lakes trailheads are not close together by road, so most parties arrange a shuttle, a second car, or a pickup.
How many days do you need for the Enchantments?
Most parties take 2 to 3 days: one night in the core zone and often a second near Snow Lakes to break up the long descent, though strong hikers sometimes complete it in 2 days.