The Enchantments is not just a hike. It's a full-day alpine crossing through one of the most spectacular landscapes in North America — 18 miles of glacier-carved granite basins filled with turquoise lakes, roaming mountain goats, and views that make you question whether you're still in the contiguous United States. The permit lottery is brutally competitive. If you get one, treat the day like the gift it is.

The Route: Snow Lakes to Stuart Lake (Core Zone Crossing)

The classic thru-hike runs from the Snow Lakes Trailhead (2,050 ft) on the east side up through the Snow Lakes basin, into the Enchantments Core Zone, over Aasgard Pass, and down to the Stuart Lake Trailhead on the west side. This is a one-way shuttle hike — arrange a car at each end or use the permit shuttle service.

Miles 0–4.5: Snow Lakes Trailhead to Upper Snow Lake. A relentless 3,500-foot climb through pine forest and over granite slabs. This section is the grind — get it done early.

Miles 4.5–9: Core Zone. You enter the Enchantments Core Zone at around 7,200 feet. The landscape transforms completely: open granite basins with chains of perfect alpine lakes — Inspiration, Leprechaun, Perfection, Sprite, Gnome Tarn. Mountain goats wander across the trail. This section is why you're here. Take it slow.

Miles 9–11: Aasgard Pass. The crux of the route and a genuine scramble — 1,800 feet of elevation gain over 1.5 miles of loose boulder fields and cliff edges. Most hikers do the Core Zone east-to-west to descend Aasgard (descending is faster but still demanding). Going up Aasgard from the Stuart Lake side is brutal.

Miles 11–18: Colchuck Lake and Stuart Lake Trailhead. A beautiful descent past Colchuck Lake (stunning turquoise) and through forested trail to the parking area.

Permits: The Hard Part

Core Zone overnight and day-use permits are issued by lottery through recreation.gov. The lottery opens in February and competition is fierce — tens of thousands of applications for a few hundred permits per day. Day-use permits also exist but have a separate, slightly less competitive process. Apply early, apply often, and have backup plans.

Tips

  • Start at first light — 18 miles with 6,500 ft of gain takes most people 12–14 hours.
  • Pack out all waste — pack a waste bag (WAG bags are sold at the trailhead). No dispersed camping waste allowed.
  • Don't feed or approach mountain goats — they are wild animals and surprisingly aggressive when they want your salt-stained clothing.
  • Layers for the Core Zone — even in August it can be cold and windy above 7,000 ft.
  • Trekking poles are essential for Aasgard Pass descent.

Gear

Getting There

Snow Lakes Trailhead: Icicle Road, Leavenworth, WA. Stuart Lake Trailhead: further up Icicle Road. Both require a Northwest Forest Pass ($30/year or $5/day). Leavenworth is the nearest town with lodging and restaurants — a charming Bavarian-themed village worth a night before or after the hike.

The Verdict

If you get an Enchantments permit, you cancel everything else and go. It is genuinely the most spectacular day hike we've done in the contiguous US.