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The Enchantments is a classic Washington hike. More than a dozen high alpine lakes carved in granite. A hard-to-acquire permit is required to camp in any of the area's five zones, with the Enchantment Core permit being the most desirable. Ambitious day hikers will be richly rewarded for tackling all 20 miles in a day.
Start at the Stuart Lake trailhead, which at 3400' is a full 2000' higher than the Snow Lake trailhead you'll finish at. Put 2.5 easy miles under your feet along Mountaineer Creek before turning left on the trail up to Colchuck Lake. The trail steepens for the next 1.5 miles before popping you out at the rim of the spectacular blue-green lake.
Rest your legs while you take in the views of your next task across the lake: Aasgard Pass. Some more easy trail and about 15 minutes of careful boulder-hopping following the cairns will lead you to the bottom of Aasgard Pass.
Gaining more than 2000' in only a mile, Aasgard will test your mettle. Fill up on water in the stream at the base and get to it. Stay left of the island of trees in the middle and hug the cliff walls before crossing back to the right as you near the top. The trail can be very difficult to follow and watch out for rockfall from others hiking above you.
All your hard work will be rewarded when cross into another world at the top of the pass and are greeted with 13 miles of downhill ahead of you. Wander through a magical flowing landscape for the next four miles as you go down a staircase plateau of turquoise lakes, larches, and families of goats.
Photo ops abound in every direction as you discover new waterfalls and cliffs around every corner. Don't be surprised to feel overwhelmed by so much beauty coming at you at once as you walk past aptly-named lakes such as Tranquil, Perfection, Inspiration, and Leprechaun.
Take a look back as you drop down from Lake Vivian, the last of the 'Core' lakes, and start the long slog out past Snow and Nada lakes. Don't underestimate how long this will take, as many groups finish by headlamp.
Reach your car with throbbing feet, aching legs, and skeptical memory - wondering if what you just experienced was real.
Planning:
At around 20 miles point-to-point, some logistics are involved in hiking through. If you and a friend drive two cars, you can park one at each trail head. Though I've always found luck parking my car at the end and catching a ride to the start with friendly hikers.
Leave No Trace
