Enchantment near Seattle, Washington is one of the best hikes in the world.

Why? Washington, Woodmansee Frommer Washington2006	World > North America > Pacific NW > Enchantment One of the best hikes in the world is ENCHANTMENT TRAVERSE Hikes in this region also known as: Enchantment Lakes (easier) Trail # 1553 Aasgard Pass (very difficult!)) Trail # 1599 Lost World Plateau Do you know this hike? This page is a stub we are researching. You can expand it by emailing suggestions in the appropriate sections below. Our editors will add your comments. Thanks! Red dot is ALPINE LAKES WILDERNESS, Washington. AT A GLANCE amazing hiking close to Seattle start over Aasgard Pass and finish on Enchantment Lakes 5 days, 4 nights recommended 30mi (48km) including obligatory sidetrips best months mid-July to mid-Oct come in autumn to see the larch turn highest elevation about 8000ft (2438m) very difficult hiking, steep sections, rough terrain getting a permit to hike is difficult WHY WE LIKE THIS HIKE many call it the best hike in Washington the photogenic granite spires the vista at Gnome tarn sidetrip to Little Annapurna scrambling off the main trail the physical challenge! ... add a comment here Leprechaun Lake and autumn larch - photo available as wallpaper CONSIDERATIONS 100 Hikes in Washington's Alpine Lakes may dissuade you: Aasgard Pass is a very steep climbers' route, gaining 2200ft in 3/4mi ... it's dangerous, not only from falling off cliffs or slippery boulders or snowfields or from being fallen upon by snow or rock, but also from summer storms ... If this sounds too intimidating, do just the Enchantment Lakes trail in and out from Snow Lakes trailhead. carry an ice axe even if you think you will not need it early season bring rope and crampons, just in case it can snow any day of the year be prepared for cold and wind bears are a concern bring a rope to hang your food you need to scramble sections of rough trail part of the trail is in the trees, mindless slogging forest fires can close the trails dogs are not allowed ... add a comment here Two permits are required in Alpine Lakes Wilderness: a Northwest Forest Pass must be displayed in your vehicle while parked at the trailhead. Buy this pass at any Forest Service Ranger station, 240 private vendors, on-line at www.naturenw.org or by calling 1-800-270-7504. May 15 - Oct 15 you need a Wilderness Permit. The huge hassle with this specific hike is getting a Special Use Wilderness Permit. The demand is huge. Mid-week trips are easier to book than weekends. Wilderness Permit 2006 - .pdf application apply between Feb 21 - Mar 1st fee must accompany application. Apply for maximum 8 people in your group. Phone if you have questions: Wenatchee River ranger station: (509) 548-6977 If you do not get a permit, you might still be able to get on as 25% of the quota spots are given out to Daily Walk-ins. If you want one, be waiting at 7:45AM at the door of the Wenatchee River ranger station the day you want to hike. No need to sleep by the door — a lottery is held for the spots with all those hikers waiting. ROUTES After going to the trouble of getting a permit, we recommend you do the circuit route detailed in Backpacker Trekking Washington - Woodmansee, 2003. That's 30mi (48km) including a number of obligatory sidetrips. start at Mountaineer Creek trailhead 5 days, 4 nights for an optimum hike it can be done quicker end at Snow Lakes trailhead, 8mi (12.9km) from where you started. Therefore you need to arrange transport back to your vehicle, if you have one. Woodmansee suggests stashing a bike so one hiker can ride back to the vehicle. Brilliant. ... add a comment here A shorter 20mi (32.2km) variation called Enchantment Lakes takes you in and back out to Snow Lake trailhead. But we hate backtracking. Do the circuit if you can. LOGISTICS Snow Creek trailhead is only 4mi from Leavenworth, Washington on Icicle Creek Road. click for more information - Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce most hikers come from the Seattle area, about 2hrs away Sea-Tac International Airport is 130mi from Leavenworth Pangborn Airport in East Wenatchee is closer, only 30 mi from Leavenworth. Greyhound provides daily bus service to Leavenworth. (800) 231-2222. once you get to town, you can hire a taxi to take you to the rest of the way to the trailhead ... add a comment here INDEPENDENT OR GUIDED? ... add a recommendation here We are unaware of any trekking guides you can hire for Enchantment. LOCAL INFORMATION permit information - Alpine Lakes Wilderness understanding bears - Alpine Lakes Wilderness Nature of the Northwest Washington Trails Association hiking guide Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce ... add a recommendation here BEST TREKKING GUIDEBOOKS Backpacker Trekking Washington - Woodmansee, 2003 100 Hikes in Washington's Alpine Lakes - Ira Spring, Vicky Spring, Harvey Manning, 2000 Backpacking Washington's Alpine Lakes Wilderness: The Longer Trails - Jeffrey Smoot, 2004 Lonely Planet Hiking in the USA ... add a recommendation here Woodmansee loves hiking. We use his book though there are several other good options. BEST TRAVEL GUIDEBOOKS Frommer's Washington State - Karl Samson, 2006 Moon Handbooks Washington - Don Pitcher, 2002 Lonely Planet Pacific Northwest - McRae, Snarski, Jewell, 1999 Washington Road & Recreation Atlas ... add a recommendation here OTHER RECOMMENDED BOOKS The Backpacker's Handbook - Chris Townsend, 2004 Washington Fishing - Terry Rudnick, 2034 How to Shit in the Woods - Kathleen Meyer Bear Attacks: Their Causes and Avoidance - Herrero A Walk in the Woods - Bill Bryson. Funny! ... add a recommendation here BEST MAPS Green Trails - 1:44,000 The Enchantments, WA (# 209S) on-line trail map - Leavenworth.org ... add a recommendation here BEST WEB PAGES After this page, the best links are Enchantment - CoolTrails.com Enchantment Lakes - Washington Trails Association Seattle - National Weather Service ... add a link here BEST PHOTOS & TRIP REPORTS Alpine Lakes Wilderness has a magical allure - Karen Sykes, 1998. Article. photos 2003 - Eric Noel Enchantment Lakes 2001 photos & report - 2drx.com Brutal Enchantment 2003 trip report - Jim the hiker photos 2002 - gtach photos - Alpine Lakes Wilderness Assgard Pass photos - LookatLao Adventure Assgard Pass trip report - Jeff Olson ... add a link here MOVIES, VIDEOS, DVDs add a recommendation here