There is a gateway into the Enchantments, and that is Colchuck Lake and Aasgard Pass. This is the recommended starting trailhead to hike through the Enchantments, as you will climb up the steep Aasgard Pass instead of scrambling down the steep trail. Colchuck Lake is one of the two major gateways to The Enchantments, an area of alpine lakes near Leavenworth, Washington widely regarded as one of the most beautiful destinations in the Pacific Northwest. We made fairly quick time from our turnaround point back to Aasgard Pass. The foot trail starts at the trailhead at the end of USFS Road 7601 becoming Stuart Lake Trail #1599. But after arriving at the lake at 10:30 am, we decided to make a push for the pass. The other trail (to the right) continues to Lake Stuart. This new edition continues the same format and features that made the first edition so popular. Found insideThe book also includes short natural history essays on topics as diverse as the sex life of banana slugs, to how plants get their names, and why you should respect but not fear bears and mountain lions. Found inside – Page 19963 LITTLE ANNAPURNA ELEVATION: 7850 ft at Aasgard Pass, 8440 ft on Little Annapurna; vertical gains of around 4600 ... And for the rest, camping decisions must be made months in advance (see Lake Stuart to Horseshoe Lake on page 193 and ... Although the area is high use, trails are very primitive with steep, rocky sections. As you round the lake, the trail snakes into a talus field and the route moves from the ground to the tops of massive boulders. In this practical guide, he now reveals his favorite places to witness the state's unparalleled floral shows. Coverage is non-existent from the Stuart Lake trailhead to Aasgard Pass. This guide not only covers backpacking options inside the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, but includes many of the popular routes across the highway for a selection of the best overnight hikes in the region. Cancellations and Changes: Confirmed and awarded trips may be cancelled up to 22 days before the trip with a refund. There are beautiful views of the lake -- with Dragontail Peak and Colchuck Peak rising 3,000 feet above south end of lake. The views across the creek towards Prusik Peak are some of the best of the iconic rock climbing peak. Left: View of Colchuck Lake from the Northwest Shore; Right: Climbing Aasgard Pass with Colchuck Lake Below From the Alpine Lakes Wilderness - Stuart Lake trailhead, we intended to make Colchuck Lake our turn-around point. Be cautious of run-out and wear a helmet for these sections. Finally, for those looking to save money and who are traveling in a self-contained rig like ours the city of Leavenworth provides a parking lot where they allow boondocking (check your Campendium app). June 20 2021: Aasgard Pass. The trail gradually climbs through the forest along Mountaineer Creek and crosses the creek at 1.5 miles on a log bridge. Cannot add or change alternate group leader. There is a place where jagged snow-covered peaks melt into reflective turquoise blue waters and where mountain goats will literally walk directly up to those who dare venture into their home turf. Maximum group size is eight, including stock. Found insideClimbing Aasgard Pass with that eastside sun on your head can be brutal. Start by following the Lake Stuart Trail (see hike #22 inthis guide) for 2.5 forested, Mountaineer Creekhugging miles. At the signed intersection, ... This magical place is known as The Enchantments and it is consistently thought of as the number one backpacking trail in not only the Cascade Mountain Range but in the entire state of Washington. If you begin at the Stuart Lake trailhead, you won't have to do that extra 1,500 feet of gain but you will have to contend with ascending Aasgard Pass. Backpacking The Enchantments is nearly insane as it requires going over Aasgard Pass with fully loaded backpacks. Many people approach the basin from the Stuart Lake trailhead, located another 9 or so miles beyond the Snow Lakes trailhead (trails 1599 and 1599.1). Day 1 - Stuart Lake Trailhead to Colchuck Lake (5 miles 2400 ft elevation gain) Colchuck Lake and Aasgard Pass in the background. If approaching from Ingalls Creek and Crystal Creek, drive Highway 97 . If you meant Colchuck Peak, the standard route is via the Colchuck Glacier, not via Aasgard Pass, although there is a route from Aasgard to Colchuck Peak over Dragontail via . Likewise, many may find an overnight trip to Eightmile or Stuart Lakes to be adequate, while others take a few extra days to relax or fish. Eight days or more prior to the entry date, days and group members may be added to the trip. People cannot add more individuals if there are no spaces available in the daily quota for the Core. The Enchantments trail passes through 4 of the 5 zones (Stuart, Colchuck, Core Enchantment, & Snow Zones). The trailhead is around 3400', although Aasgard pass is a grueling 1.5 mile section, and after topping out you have to descend approximately 700' down to the base of Prusik Peak and the climbs. With alpine lakes, mountain goats, and jagged peaks, this almost mythical trek rivals the world's best trails and scenery. About 3 hours of slowly climbing and some (totally justified) complaining later, we crested the pass and feasted our eyes on the handful of frozen lakes in front of us. This book explores the spiritual aspect of this attraction through a survey of ancient history, Norse mythology, and contemporary studies of Earth mysteries and sacred sites. Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, Cashmere Mountian reflected in Colchuck Lake, Dragontail above the larches on the climb to Aasgard, The Temple, Inspiration Lake, and Perfection Lake. Found inside – Page 95Avoid the right turn to Lake Stuart and go left onto 1599 A, a steep path that will take hikers 1100 vertical feet in 1.6 miles. ... Hikers who continue on this trail will reach 7800-foot Aasgard Pass, the gateway into the Enchantments. We’ve put together a full post on our Backpacking Gear which is ideal for terrain like The Enchantments. For our purposes, we'll be describing the hike from Stuart Lake. Found inside* Fred Beckey is synonomous with Cascades climbing and is said to have completed more first ascents than any other climber in history * Includes detailed appendix of all Beckey's ascents from 1936-1968 This book documents more than three ... From Colchuck Lake, continue following the Colchuck Lake Trail #1599.1 (sometimes referred to as #1599A) around the lake toward the base of Aasgard Pass. There are no walls or privacy to these privies. It was a hard effort, especially when moving faster on the way down, but . from the inlet of Upper Snow Lake to Lake Viviane: 1.5 miles / 1400 foot elevation gain. You can cancel or change your reservation online at Recreation.gov. Water is plentiful on the trail and there were lakes around every bend: Crystal Lake, Inspiration Lake, Perfection Lake, Leprechaun Lake, and concluded with Lake Viviane towards the end. Mind the fork that goes left to Colchuck and right/straight to Lake Stuart. Most hikers heading into the Enchantments use the Lake Stuart trailhead, but make for the Core zone via Colchuck Lake and Aasgard Pass. Violators will be ticketed and towed at owners expense. If you're heading up the 4.2 mile Colchuck Lake route via the Stuart Lake Trailhead, be prepared for a mighty climb up Aasgard Pass (also known as Colchuck Pass), with a very challenging nearly 2,000 feet of elevation gain in less than a mile to reach the Core Enchantments area (but well worth the hard work). The Overnight Visitor Parking Pass that comes free with an Enchantments permit must be on display on your vehicle’s dashboard. Walk-up quota will be randomly released back into the recreation.gov reservation system randomly on Sundays, one week at at time. This area also has a lot of mountain goats that call the rocky terrain home. Access: If approaching the Enchantments from Colchuck Lake and Aasgard Pass, leave Icicle Junction at the west end of Leavenworth and drive the Icicle River Road for 8.5 miles; then turn left on the Eightmile Road and follow this 4 miles to the Mountaineer Creek Trailhead. Looking to escape the crowds in Shenandoah National Park? Colchuck Lake Trail #1599A, WA. Parking is prohibited along the lefthand side FS Road 7601. Would you rather go up or down scree? Gate to road 7601 is now open 5/20/21. However, while the trail starts in the Stuart Zone this would not be a zone worth camping in as it is too far from The Core Zone. The trail will fork in two less than a mile from the bridge, to the right is the trail to Stuart Lake and to the left is Colchuck Lake Trail #1599.1 towards Colchuck Lake. No refunds will be given for reducing days or group members. You will cross boulder fields and the trail will disappear at times, but cairns usually will exist on this part of the trail. Found inside – Page 2This jewel of Washington's Alpine Lakes Wilderness is lush, green, and rugged with high mountain passes, slabs of protruding granite, ... Follow it past the first trailhead for roughly 3.5 miles until you see the Stuart Lake Trailhead. 11.2 miles roundtrip, gaining 4297 feet of elevation. Up there is Colchuk Glacier! Pack out your toilet paper. Recreation Fee: Overnight Enchantment permits are $5.00 per person, per day, May 15th-October 31st. Setting off on the Stuart Lake Trail in early autumn, we turned onto the Colchuck Lake Trail and ascended steeply amid loose boulders and golden subalpine larches to Aasgard Pass (2,390 m/7,841 ft). The Enchantments refers to a large portion of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness in Washington State near the picturesque Bavarian town of Leavenworth, WA. Autumn usually comes to this part of the Cascade Range in late September. To learn more about cell coverage in the wilderness check out the Cairn App. An Overnight Visitor Parking Pass is required to park at all Enchantment trailheads and are free with the purchase of an overnight camping permit. Trail users should also expect the intermittent presence of heavy machinery and construction noise. A trip to the Core Enchantment Zone is recommended for experienced hikers, who are prepared for arduous travel and all weather conditions. A Northwest Forest Pass is required and visitors must park in the designated day use parking areas at the Stuart Lake Trailhead. Found inside – Page 162552 Cashmere : TRAIL Windy a Pass 750 2000 Pioneer Creek Lake Caroline Creek The Colchuck Lake travel route has an elevation gain of 2,210 feet from the Stuart Lake trailhead to Colchuck Lake . An additional 2,180 feet in elevation is ... After Aasgard Pass, the trail is generally downhill. Visitors typically plan at least three or four days for this trip. I have worked hard to live a life of travel in the fleeting moments between work. From Highway 2 on the west end of town, turn south on Icicle Creek Road. Aasgard Pass — Washington Trails Association. We will continue to reevaluate and will resume the walk-up lottery when it is safe to do so. Max (the author) poses at Stuart Lake Trailhead The Hike. Found insideGirl Online meets Wild in this emotionally charged story of girl who takes to the wilderness to rediscover herself and escape the superficial persona she created on social media. It is imperative hikers and backpackers evaluate their comfort and ability in various environments when choosing their route, as many hikes are strenuous and somewhat primitive, while others offer easier climbs. The Enchantment Permit Area lies within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness in the Cascade Mountains of Washington State. Don't expect to post Facebook pictures, but texts in the upper and lower Enchantments did go through for us. Firstly, I would strongly recommend approaching the thru hike from Stuart Lake Trailhead to Snow Lake Trailhead.It reduces the total elevation gain by 2,600 feet and the 1,900 feet climb up Aasguard Pass allows you to conquer a large portion of your total trail elevation gain in less than a mile. Aasgard Pass WARNING! Distance: 6 miles; Colchuck Lake Trailhead Elevation: 3,420' Colchuck Lake Elevation: 5,570′ Aasgard Pass Elevation: 7,840′ Elevation Gain: 4,420' The Core Enchantments Zone Watching the sunrise on isolation lake inside the Core Zone of The . The Enchantments are found in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness which is broken into five camping zones. Travel is difficult in areas. Steep and challenging terrain make travel with an overnight pack very strenuous. The two access points are from Snow Lakes and Colchuck Lake, on opposite sides of the basin. We list it this way as the immense beauty of the Core Zone is found within this trail boundary. The Quest is the force that motivates us . There are no refunds for unfavorable weather conditions. Maybe it was getting used to hiking for a long period of time with a heavy pack. The climb up to Colchuck Lake and Aasgard Pass is a beast! The Colchuck Lake route via the Stuart Lake Trailhead is a fantastic way to see a gorgeous part of Washington state, plus Aasgard Pass looming above the lake itself. Where does pct Cross I 90? Drive 8.5 miles to Bridge Creek Campground. It was tiring and challenging, but then we reached the slope that would lead up to Aasgard Pass, which ascends 2,300′ in about one mile. It was a tough hike, but the views along the way were simply breathtaking! Select Page. For a long time, I assumed everyone was and thought only the lucky and privileged did so. If you can get one of the widely sought-after backcountry permits, or are a strong hiker who can pack in the miles in a single day, this is a part of the . We saw people running through both, but we'd pass them on the scrambles. Elevation profile for the Day 1 hike in The Enchantments from the Stuart Lake Trailhead to Colchuck Lake. Day use is permitted across all zones, but camping can only occur in the zone for which the overnight permit is issued. After you encounter the peaks, the course extends upwards towards Aasgard Pass. The first day of the trek starts with a 4 mile trek up to Colchuck Lake. A Northwest Forest Pass is required and visitors must park in the designated day use parking areas at the Stuart Lake Trailhead. The trail up to Colchuck is relatively straight forward and moderate. Looking over the scree embankment down to Colchuck Lake. The price was reasonable given the road conditions. On Sunday morning bright and very early, we left the Iron Horse Bed & Breakfast at 6:00AM to arrive at the Lake Stuart/Lake Colchuck trailhead by 8:00AM. From Colchuk Lake to the top of Aasgard Pass is over 2000 feet of elevation in less than a mile- STEEP! Starting at the Stuart Lake Trailhead our route gained 4,400 feet of elevation over six miles before hitting the high point, Aasgard Pass. It is 4 1/2 miles to the Lake and another 2 1/2 miles to Perfection Lake. If your group has multiple vehicles you could obviously drop a vehicle at one end and carpool, but if you are like us with only one vehicle then you will need to arrange a shuttle. Descend the standard route from Aasgard Pass to reach the Lake Colchuck outlet (11.8 mi, 5,600 ft) and the Lake Colchuck trailhead (15.4 mi, 3,400 ft). Don't expect to post Facebook pictures, but texts in the upper and lower Enchantments did go through for us. The Leavenworth KOA is the only campground in the area that allows public access to the showers. 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