We descended far enough into the Enchantment Basin on the Snow Lakes Trail to score spectacular views of Crystal Lake and Perfection Lake, before . There is no official trail up the pass and there are cairns everywhere. Aasgard Pass WARNING! We stayed at the pass to watch the helicopter hover above Little Annapurna and ferry out the injured hiker. Parking is prohibited along the lefthand side FS Road 7601. Aasgard Pass (7841 ft) - the highest point on the trail - is roughly 6,500 feet above the Snow Lakes Trailhead and 4,400 feet above the Stuart Lake Trailhead. Uber & Lyft would not be good options as there is little to no service at either trailhead. Only the fittest and most experienced mountain runners should take on this trail in a single day and I wouldn’t recommend they do it as a day hike either. Usually, as a last resort because backpacking permits are hard to obtain. It is 4 1/2 miles to the Lake and another 2 1/2 miles to Perfection Lake. Length 11.7 miElevation gain 2,982 ftRoute type Out & back. As far as miles per hour goes, Aasgard may be one of the slowest hikes you attempt. For our purposes, we'll be describing the hike from Stuart Lake. There are a few shuttle options in the area but we used the Leavenworth Shuttle & Taxi Service. 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. Cancellations and Changes: Confirmed and awarded trips may be cancelled up to 22 days before the trip with a refund. For this book, our 1 percent of sales is going to Washington Trails Association (WTA). We did this as a day hike. You don't have to be a rock star to top out on these routes--and you can fit them in anytime you have a day or two free. More than 300 trad and sport climbs from 5.0 to 5.10a. Make sure you keep a steady pace to finish before darkness sets in and carry a headlamp in case you don’t. You will cross boulder fields and the trail will disappear at times, but cairns usually will exist on this part of the trail. Wondering where you can hike while social distancing during the pandemic? Aasgard Pass This "shortcut" to the Enchantments Core Zone refers only to mileage. Describes recommended mountain climbing routes, lists equipment requirements, and rates mountains for difficulty. Includes chapters on mountaineering in Alaska and Yukon, and in western Canada. NOTES In order to maximize the enjoyment of this trip it is highly recommended to spend the evenings preceding and following this trip in the Leavenworth area. Then pick up the Colchuck Lake Trail for 2.7 miles. Most of Aasgard is scrambling, as is the top of the pass on Snow Lakes. The all-new guide, Alpine Lakes Wilderness, features a wide range of hikes that vary in difficulty, geography, and theme so that hikers of any age and skill level will find trails that fit their taste. The foot trail starts at the trailhead at the end of USFS Road 7601 becoming Stuart Lake Trail #1599. Thank you for your patience and flexibility during this crisis. Found insideBut he also includes all-new features such as an at-a-glance summary of all the hikes in the book; tips for hiking safely and ethically; clear, topographical color maps; a rating system for hike quality and difficulty; Indigenous place ... Exploring The Enchantments Core Zone – Day 2, Hiking Aasgard Pass to The Enchantments – Day 1, Visiting Olympic National Park – Top 10 Activities, The Three Zones of The Enchantments Trail, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest website. From there, you'll need to loop around the path until you reach the Dragon Tail and Colchuck Peaks. Mind the fork that goes left to Colchuck and right/straight to Lake Stuart. This new book from the bestselling author of 105 Hikes will show you how to reach the most breathtaking hiking destinations in the province. 55 new day trips: celebrate nature big and small with astonishing hikes you can do in one day. I'd say 60%. Backpacking The Enchantments is nearly insane as it requires going over Aasgard Pass with fully loaded backpacks. Looking up at the scree field of Aasgard Pass as well as the boulder field surrounding Colchuck Lake. Up there is Colchuk Glacier! From the lake you can view Aasgard Pass which is for more serious hikers/backpackers to enter the Enchantments and that have received a pass to camp overnight. Then you have a 6,400′ descent over 13 miles to the Snow Lake trailhead terminus. Our gear is meant to be flexible for 3-season camping but is targeted for mountain backpacking. Since launching this program, we've contributed more than $14,000 toward improving trails. For this book, our 1 percent of sales is going to Washington Trails Association (WTA). There are also 8 permits reserved for last-minute entries as well. Just as we were about to begin the descent down the pass, we heard a faint buzzing: a search and rescue helicopter had come for the hiker on Little Annapurna. Stuart zone backpacking trips are typically out-and-back, e.g., Stuart Lake or Horseshoe Lake and back. All the shuttle services we found picked up from the Snow Lakes Trailhead and dropped off at the Colchuck Lake Trailhead. Select Page. If you're considering heading beyond Colchuck Lake, be prepared for the mighty climb up Aasgard Pass (also known as Colchuck Pass), with a very . from the inlet of Upper Snow Lake to Lake Viviane: 1.5 miles / 1400 foot elevation gain. The pies are huge and loaded with toppings. June 20 2021: Aasgard Pass. Starting at the Stuart Lake Trailhead our route gained 4,400 feet of elevation over six miles before hitting the high point, Aasgard Pass. 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. 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 . 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. Day 1 - Stuart Lake Trailhead to Colchuck Lake (5 miles 2400 ft elevation gain) Colchuck Lake and Aasgard Pass in the background. This person cannot be changed after the lottery application process. Ending at the Stuart Lake Trailhead. 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. No refunds will be given for reducing days or group members. This is one of the seven Leave No Trace Principles for any wilderness area. Trips into the Enchantment Permit Area can range from overnight to multiple days. *The recreation fee finances on-the-ground administration and management of the Enchantment Permit Area. Looking to escape the crowds in Shenandoah National Park? 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. The Overnight Visitor Parking Pass that comes free with an Enchantments permit. Trailhead passes for parking are included in the permit cost only for the duration of your overnight trip. Saver the journey by winning a backpacking permit. Do not urinate on vegetation or soils. However, at $16/person the fee is a steep one. The gravel road up to the Colchuck Lake Trailhead (AKA: Stuart Lake Trailhead) is a very rough road but vehicles of all types make the journey. Day Two: The first day we hiked from Stuart Lake Trailhead up to our first campsite at Colchuck Lake; which is a popular day hike for those without camping permits. We’ve put together a full post on our Backpacking Gear which is ideal for terrain like The Enchantments. Your email address will not be published. Parking along the south side of the road is allowed. The Enchantments are found inside the Core Zone but getting there is no easy feat as it requires some epic elevation gain and a very tough permit lottery or one insanely long and strenuous day hike. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from May until October. There are no walls or privacy to these privies. I have worked hard to live a life of travel in the fleeting moments between work. Don't expect to post Facebook pictures, but texts in the upper and lower Enchantments did go through for us. A Northwest Forest Pass is required and visitors must park in the designated day use parking areas at the Stuart Lake Trailhead. Explore the most popular trails in my list Dream hikes <3 with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. A trip to the Core Enchantment Zone is recommended for experienced hikers, who are prepared for arduous travel and all weather conditions. This will put you at Colchuck Lake and the base of Aasgard Pass, which is less than a mile in distance, but comes with an elevation gain of about 1,900 feet. Along with the amazing main trail through The Enchantments, there are several shorter trails that provide some amazing aerial views of the alpine terrain. Do not improve sites by moving rocks, building walls or disturbing soils. You can cancel or change your reservation online at Recreation.gov. It’s most commonly done from the east to remove the obstacle known as Aasgard Pass (2,187â of elevation gain in less than a mile). 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. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until October. Isolation Lake is an amazing spot to watch the sunrise on Dragontail Peak. Connect Stuart Lake, Colchuk Lake, and Snow Lakes Trails to traverse the Enchantments in a single, 18-mile push. Steep and challenging terrain make travel with an overnight pack very strenuous. 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). Details: Maybe it was getting used to hiking for a long period of time with a heavy pack. It was a tough hike, but the views along the way were simply breathtaking! A popular journey is the 18-mile one way push from the Colchuck Lake/Stuart Lake trailhead to the Snow Lakes trailhead, but this shuttle hike requires dropping off a car at each trailhead. No campfires above 5,000 feet or within 1/2 mile of any lakes. 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. It was much cooler and windy on this day, so we hung around the campsite, spending a lot of time at the smaller lake where it was warmer and out of the wind. The Stuart Lake Trailhead is located 12.2 miles from Highway 2 in Leavenworth. Camp in previously impacted campsites, never on vegetation. The first stretch of trail took us through a boulder field at the upper end of Colchuck Lake, in which we climbed over and under and around huge boulders. We started from the Stuart Lake Trailhead at 4:30AM and headed up to Colchuck Lake. 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 breakfast, we hiked out, back to the Stuart Lake trailhead. Going solo, my original plan was to circle Colchuck Lake, summit Aasgard Pass, explore the Upper Enchantments, then turn around and head back to my car.This would have been a 14-mile roundtrip hike. The Enchantments Trail has a lot of elevation gain and most of the summer the higher elevations will be cool if not cold while the lower elevations can be hot. Directions to the Stuart Lake Trailhead from the junction of Hwy 2 and the Icicle Road. You simply look for flattened areas or in some cases rocks pilled up as windbreaks. Aasgard Pass is not advised for hikers not prepared and equipped for steep snow travel. Autumn usually comes to this part of the Cascade Range in late September. There is no easy way into the Enchantments. Watch Enchantments Educational Video! An Overnight Visitor Parking Pass is required to park at all Enchantment trailheads and are free with the purchase of an overnight camping permit. You get to experience the entire trail and although summiting Aasgard Pass from the west is tough it has less elevation gain than the alternative. But after arriving at the lake at 10:30 am, we decided to make a push for the pass. The Enchantments don't come easy. A three day trip to Colchuck or Snow Lakes allows time for a day trip to the Core Enchantments. Enchantment Lakes. Found inside – Page 88And after the 4,600 - foot climb from the Colchuck Lake - Stuart Lake trailhead beats you silly , the 6,500 ... At the pass , drink in views up and down the range , but don't celebrate yet : 11 long miles down Cascade Canyon await . From here, the trail passes by a dozen alpine lakes as the plateau drops along drainages and over sheer rock faces slanting down from the towering domes of the Stuart Range. Day and overnight visitors need to check the weather and be prepared for all weather types throughout the season. Day use is permitted across all zones, but camping can only occur in the zone for which the overnight permit is issued. After a quick breakfast stop at Colchuck Lake, we walked around the lake, scrambled over the boulder field and then started the steep ascent up Aasgard Pass. It is managed according to the Wilderness Management Plan and the 1964 Wilderness Act, to provide protection of fragile resources and preservation of wilderness character for generations to come. After a long grueling backpacking trip with mostly freeze-dried meals, it is essential to refuel on hearty food. Check out the blog's Instagram to see more and get trip ideas. 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. Day 4. hike out to trailhead 4.5 miles with 2,300 ft. elevation loss. Day use visitors are required to obtain a free self-issue day use permit and purchase and display a Northwest Forest Pass (PDF), available online, at the ranger station, or at the trailhead. A Northwest Forest Pass is required and visitors must park in the designated day use parking areas at the Stuart Lake Trailhead. This is obviously the hardest permit to acquire as well but hold out for it as it makes the journey truly enchanting. It reduces the total elevation gain by 2,600 feet relative to going the opposite direction (although it still takes in the punishing climb up Aasgard Pass, which rises 1,900 feet in less than a mile). Demand for overnight permits far exceeds the number available, therefore advanced reservations are recommended. The trail up to Colchuck is relatively straight forward and moderate. Find detailed information and instructions on how to obtain a permit. Through the remainder of the year, permits are not required. Alternate between the rocks and short sections of narrow trail hacked through the lakeside brush to the base of . Maybe it was getting used to hiking for a long period of time with a heavy pack. This guide to The Enchantments recommends taking on the trail as a thru-hike from west to east (Colchuck Trailhead to Snow Lakes Trailhead). Day users need only fill out a free day-use permit, available at any of the three trailheads accessing the Enchantment Permit Area. 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 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. Day 1: Start at the Stuart Lake Trailhead and follow for 2.3 miles. The Enchantment Permit Area lies within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness in the Cascade Mountains of Washington State. 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. Turn left and drive past the campground, cross a bridge over Icicle Creek and continue past the Eightmile Lake Trailhead (which . 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. The Stuart Lake trailhead is 9 or so miles beyond the Snow Lakes trailhead (trails 1599 and 1599.1) and you will be hiking about 6 miles and about 4400 feet of elevation gain to the top of the basin, but be warned - 2300 of that 4400 feet is gained in a single mile up Aasgard Pass. But after arriving at the lake at 10:30 am, we decided to make a push for the pass. 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, ... The $6 application fee is nonrefundable. The Enchantments thru-hike is typically done from the Stuart Lake trailhead and ending at the Snow Lake trailhead, because it reduces the total elevation gain by 2,600 feet relative to going the opposite direction (although it still takes in the climb up Aasgard Pass, which rises 1,900 feet in less than a mile). Crystal Lake is also worth exploring for views of one of the many beautiful alpine lakes in The Core Enchantments area. Found inside – Page 126The hike begins on Trail # 1599 , which leads to both Lake Stuart and Colchuck Lake . ... The trail to Aasgard Pass follows the west shoreline then rounds the south end of the lake , picking its way through a cairned boulder field to ... For more information on the lottery system check out the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest website. Bear left to continue to Colchuck Lake. 2.4 miles in, you will reach a junction. Between May 15 and October 31, a permit is required for overnight use in the Enchantments. Access via Colchuck Lake is probably faster and is definitely shorter and requires less elevation gain, but involves the arduous ascent up Aasgard Pass, one of the steepest sections of trail probably anywhere. Stuart Lake Trailhead. This is no easy feat. Website Design by Roger Gervin - Climb Axis Peak in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. I'd say 60%. One starts at the Stuart Lake trailhead off Icicle Road and ascends Aasgard Pass, a climb of 2,300′ in less than a mile straight up a talus field to the top of the basin.
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