This weekend we go backcountry camping in the Enchantments for 4 nights/ 5 days! The Enchantments sit within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness in the Central Cascades Region of Washington State. This area is a pristine alpine wonderland with crystal blue lakes and rugged mountain peaks.
We hike the Enchantments thru-hike which is a 21 mile point to point hike and a permit is required for overnight camping in the area between May 15 through October 31 each year. The permit process is extremely competitive and we get SO LUCKY to snag a permit for the Core Enchantments Zone. The Enchantments Permit Area consists of 5 zones and the Core Zone is not only the most popular area, but it is the only permit that allows you to camp in any of the 5 zones.
This vlog is part 1 of a 2 part series of our unforgettable experience in this truly incredible place.
Day 1
We get started at the Snow Lakes Trailhead around 1:30PM. Since this is a point to point hike and we don’t have 2 cars, we book a one way shuttle through Leavenworth Shuttle & Taxi for $25 per person. We leave our car at the Snow Lakes Trailhead where we’ll be finishing the hike and ride about 30 minutes to the Stuart Lake Trailhead to get started.
Today we hike roughly 4 miles with 2,000 feet of elevation gain to Colchuck Lake where we plan to camp for the night. It is supposed to be one of the most beautiful lakes in the Enchantments and is a really popular out and back day trip.
The hike is more difficult than we both would like to admit, mainly because of the weight of our backpacks. We have never been backcountry camping for this many nights before and we are bringing quite a bit more food than our previous camping trips. This does have us a little worried for what is coming tomorrow, the infamous Aasgard Pass.
After roughly 3 hours, we make it to Colchuck Lake around 4:30 PM. We take a quick break to enjoy the breathtakingly beautiful view of the lake. It is a bit hazy from wildfire smoke but the lake is still an unbelievable blue color and the mountains surrounding it are so impressive.
We make our way around the lake a bit in search for our campsite for the night. Most of them are taken at this point but we find a great spot by a small pond, just off the lake. We get our camp set up, have dinner and then turn in for the night in anticipation for what is to come tomorrow!
Day 2
Today is a big day… we have the big trek up Aasgard Pass in front of us. This section of the hike is around 2,200 feet of elevation gain in 3/4 of a mile. It is incredibly steep and probably the most intense part of the whole hike.
We enjoy breakfast and get everything packed up. We hit the trail around 10 AM and finish making our way around Colchuck Lake. We make our way out of the trees and have to cross a boulder field at the South side of the lake before we make it to the base of Aasgard Pass. From the base of the pass, it seems to be an impossible task to ascend a path so steep. After a short pause and slight hesitation, we start making our way up.
It is VERY slow going and at times, it seems like we are boulder hopping rather than following any well defined trail. Slowly but surely, putting one foot in front of the other, we make progress up what has to be the steepest trail we have ever climbed. Each time we look behind us, Colchuck Lake appears smaller and smaller.
Finally, after 2.5 hours, we reach the top of the pass. We sit at 7,800 feet in elevation which is the highest point on the trail. We feel extremely accomplished and enjoy one final view down on Colchuck Lake before continuing into the Core Enchantment Zone.
The lake disappears from our view entirely and it really feels like we enter into another world. The Upper Enchantments is a surreal landscape of glacier carved granite and lakes surrounded by ragged, knife-edged mountains.
We make it to Isolation Lake which is the first lake in the Upper Basin Area and we find a perfect, secluded spot to set up our camp. We get everything set up, have lunch and then explore the area a bit in the afternoon. We then head back to the top of the pass and find an amazing spot to post up for dinner and sunset. We watch as the sky puts on a show as the sun goes down.. it really is the perfect way to end the day!
We head back to camp to call it a night. We have only just begun to scratch the surface in the Core Enchantment Zone and are so excited for what is to come next!
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