What Are the Enchantments?
The Enchantments, Washington's crown-jewel alpine traverse, is a roughly 18-mile point-to-point route through the Alpine Lakes Wilderness near Leavenworth, about 2.5 hours east of Seattle. The Enchantment Permit Area is split into five zones (Core Enchantment, Colchuck, Stuart, Snow and Eightmile/Caroline), and the Core Zone in the middle is the reason everyone comes. Think crystal-clear alpine lakes surrounded by granite peaks, mountain goats wandering through camp, and larches that turn gold in late September.
The honest truth: this trail is incredibly popular and access is strictly controlled by a permit lottery. If you try to show up without a permit during the core season (May 15 through October 31), rangers will turn you away at the trailhead.
Where Are the Enchantments?
The Enchantments are in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness in the Cascade Mountains of central Washington, on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Leavenworth is the gateway town, and all three trailheads start from Icicle Road on the west edge of town. The Enchantments aren't in North Cascades National Park. The Forest Service manages them, and the permits come from the Wenatchee River Ranger District in Leavenworth through recreation.gov.
The Enchantments at a Glance
| Zone | Permit difficulty | Why go | Trailhead |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core Zone | Hardest (24 people a day) | The postcard lakes, golden larches, and mountain goats | Stuart Lake (over Aasgard Pass) or Snow Lakes |
| Colchuck Lake | Easier (separate permit) | Turquoise glacial lake below Dragontail Peak | Stuart Lake |
| Snow Lakes | Less contested | Quieter forested approach and camps | Snow Lakes |
| Stuart Lake | Less contested | Alpine lake beneath Mount Stuart | Stuart Lake |
| Eightmile/Caroline | Less contested | Eightmile and Caroline lakes, away from the traverse crowds | Eightmile |
Distances and odds below are for the standard west-to-east traverse. Whichever zone you draw, the permit is non-transferable and checked at the trailhead. A Core Zone permit lets you camp in any zone, while every other permit keeps your group in the zone named on it. For the official Enchantments zone map, see the Forest Service overnight permits page.
Permit System
The Enchantments lottery runs through recreation.gov. The Forest Service holds the advance lottery February 15 through March 1 each year and posts results around March 15. You apply for a specific zone entry, and most people want the Core Zone, which covers the most spectacular section between Aasgard Pass and Snow Lakes.
Enchantments Lottery 2026 and 2027 Dates
The 2026 season ran on that schedule: lottery February 15 to March 1, results around March 15, then leftover dates first come, first served. For 2027, the Forest Service says to check the Enchantment Permit Area page on recreation.gov in January for that year's exact window. Winners should log in to recreation.gov to check results rather than wait for an email.
How the Enchantments Lottery Works
- About 75% of overnight permits go out through the advance lottery, and the Forest Service says fewer than 10% of applicants usually win.
- Core Zone quota counts people, not groups: up to 16 people a day enter through the advance lottery and up to 8 through the daily lottery, 24 in all.
- The application fee is $6 and isn't refunded if you lose. Winners pay a recreation fee of $5 per person per day.
- Groups max out at 8 people. The permit holder must be 18 or older and carry photo ID.
- Each person can hold one permit per zone per season, and that counts being named as an alternate leader. Alternates must accept within 72 hours of the application.
- Permits can be printed only within 14 days of the trip. After printing, changes happen only at the Leavenworth Ranger Station.
Lottery odds are brutal, and Core Zone dates in larch season are the hardest to win. A few strategies that help:
- Apply for shoulder-season dates (late May, early June, mid-October) rather than peak summer weekends, odds improve significantly
- Apply for weekday entry instead of Friday–Sunday
- Check recreation.gov for cancelled and unclaimed dates, which go back into the system with no set schedule
- Try the daily lottery: apply the day before on recreation.gov from within one mile of the Wenatchee River Ranger District in Leavenworth (the app checks your location)
- The Snow Lakes and Stuart Lake zones are less contested and still beautiful
Day hikes need no lottery. The day-use permit is free and self-issued at any of the three trailheads, and day use is allowed in every zone, Core included. Overnight permits are required from May 15 through October 31. Outside those dates no permit is needed, and the Forest Service asks visitors to self-register at the trailhead box.
Trail Stats
The standard traverse runs from Stuart Lake trailhead (west) to Snow Lakes trailhead (east) or vice versa. West-to-east is the more common direction: you gain most of the elevation early (Aasgard Pass at 7,800 ft is brutal, 2,000 ft in less than a mile), then it's mostly downhill on the other side.
- Distance: 18–19 miles one way
- Elevation gain: ~4,500 ft (west-to-east), well over 6,000 ft east-to-west, since the Snow Lakes trailhead sits 2,100 ft lower than Stuart Lake
- High point: 7,800 ft at the top of Aasgard Pass
- Typical time: 1–3 nights for backpackers; a brutal 12–16 hour day for day hikers
- Best season: Late June through early October; larch color peaks around the last week of September
The Enchantments Traverse
The Enchantments traverse is the full point-to-point hike from the Stuart Lake trailhead to the Snow Lakes trailhead: up to Colchuck Lake, over Aasgard Pass into the Core Zone, through the lake basins, and down past Snow Lakes. Going west-to-east starts you at 3,400 ft instead of 1,300 ft, so you climb about 2,100 ft less, and you go up Aasgard rather than down it. That's why most people do it in this direction.
You can do the traverse as a day hike with the free self-issued day-use permit, since day use is allowed in all zones. Camping anywhere in the permit area from May 15 to October 31 takes an overnight permit, and the Core Zone permit is the only one that covers camping along the whole route. Either way you need a car at each end or a shuttle.
Getting There
All three Enchantments trailheads are off Icicle Road outside Leavenworth, WA. Parking costs $5 per vehicle per day, or you can display a Northwest Forest Pass, a Digital Day Use Pass or an interagency pass. Designated overnight parking is for permit holders only. Parking fills before 6am on summer weekends, seriously.
Enchantments Trailheads
- Stuart Lake trailhead (3,400 ft): the start for Colchuck Lake, Stuart Lake and the west-to-east traverse. Drive Icicle Road about 8.5 miles, turn left on Eightmile Road (Forest Road 7600), stay right on Forest Road 7601 and follow it about 4 miles. It serves Stuart Lake Trail #1599 and Colchuck Lake Trail #1599A. Forest Road 7601 closes to cars in winter, and the Forest Service opens Eightmile Road by May 15 each year.
- Snow Lakes trailhead (1,300 ft): the start for Snow Lakes Trail #1553 and the end of most traverses. It's 4.3 miles up Icicle Road on the left. Park only on the left side of the road, and expect to walk a long way if the lot is full.
- Eightmile trailhead: on Forest Road 7601, which you pass on the way to Stuart Lake. It's the access for the Eightmile/Caroline zone.
A shuttle between trailheads is almost mandatory for a one-way traverse. Several Leavenworth-based outfitters offer shuttle service, or coordinate with a second car.
What to Expect: Zone by Zone
Colchuck Lake (4.1 miles from Stuart Lake TH)
The trail climbs steeply through forest before leveling at Colchuck Lake at 5,570 ft. The lake's milky turquoise color comes from glacial flour. Dragontail Peak looms directly above. This zone is gorgeous on its own and requires a separate permit from the Core Zone.
Aasgard Pass (The Crux)
From Colchuck, the route climbs Aasgard Pass, a 2,000-foot scramble up loose talus and slabs in under a mile. This section is genuinely hard. Snow lingers here into early July and can make it dangerous without microspikes or an ice axe. Many people underestimate it. Allow 1.5–2.5 hours just for Aasgard.
Core Zone
Once through Aasgard, you're in the Core Zone, a chain of lakes including Isolation, Tranquil, Inspiration, Perfection, Sprite, Leprechaun, and Viviane. This is the postcard section. Mountain goats are almost guaranteed; they're attracted to human urine for salt, so pack out everything and pee on rocks, not soil. Camp spots are scattered but fire rings are prohibited. Follow Leave No Trace strictly, rangers patrol regularly.
Inspiration Lake
Inspiration Lake sits in a basin below Enchantment Peak and marks the start of the middle Enchantments, past Tranquil and Isolation in the upper basin. From there the trail drops a short way to Perfection Lake through old larches, and a side trail climbs to Prusik Pass below Prusik Peak. If you're day hiking the traverse, Inspiration and Perfection are where most people slow down.
Snow Lakes Zone
The trail descends from the Core Zone past Upper and Lower Snow Lakes before a long switchbacking descent to the Snow Lakes trailhead. This section is forested and less dramatic but a solid 10+ miles. Your legs will know about it.
Stuart Lake and Eightmile/Caroline Zones
Neither zone is on the traverse. Stuart Lake Trail #1599 leaves the same trailhead as Colchuck and heads to Stuart Lake below Mount Stuart. The Eightmile/Caroline zone starts at the Eightmile trailhead. Both are separate permits from the Core and Colchuck zones.
Enchantments Larches: When to Go
The larches in the Enchantments usually turn gold from the last week of September into the first week of October, though it shifts every year. That window is the most popular time to go and the hardest to win in the lottery. Weekday dates and the less contested zones give you the best shot. The overnight permit season ends October 31, and after that no permit is needed, but snow can arrive on Aasgard Pass any time in fall.
Enchantments Rules to Know
- No dogs: dogs and all pets are prohibited in the Enchantment Permit Area, on every trail including Snow Lakes. Only service animals as defined by the Department of Justice are allowed.
- No fires: fires are banned above 5,000 ft and within half a mile of any lake, which covers nearly the whole permit area.
- Groups of 8 or fewer, including stock. Stock isn't allowed on the Snow Lakes or Colchuck Lake trails.
- Camp with your group in the zone named on your permit, unless you hold a Core permit.
Gear Recommendations
This is not a casual hike. Even in summer, the Core Zone sits above 7,000 ft and afternoon thunderstorms are common:
- Microspikes or traction: Required for Aasgard Pass before mid-July
- Water filter: Sawyer Squeeze or BeFree, water is abundant but filter everything
- Bear canister: Not required but strongly encouraged; hang bags work but goats will investigate
- Layers: Temps drop fast above treeline even in August; bring a puffy and a hardshell
- Trekking poles: Almost mandatory on Aasgard and the long descent to Snow Lakes
Crowds & Realistic Expectations
The permit system controls overnight traffic but Core Zone can feel crowded relative to its size. September larch season is the most popular time, golden larches reflecting in alpine lakes are legitimately jaw-dropping, but expect other hikers. Weekday permits in late September are the sweet spot.
If you don't get a permit, Colchuck Lake as a day hike (free self-issued day-use permit at the trailhead) is one of the best day hikes in Washington. The Snow Lakes zone is also underrated and less competed for.
The Enchantments, Washington FAQs
The Enchantments are in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness near Leavenworth, Washington, roughly 2.5 hours east of Seattle. The two trailheads (Stuart Lake/Colchuck and Snow Lakes) both sit off Icicle Creek Road just outside town.
The full one-way traverse is 18 to 19 miles with about 4,500 feet of gain going west-to-east (Stuart Lake trailhead to Snow Lakes trailhead). East-to-west is well over 6,000 feet, because the Snow Lakes trailhead (1,300 ft) sits 2,100 feet lower than Stuart Lake (3,400 ft).
Most people backpack it over 1 to 3 nights to soak in the Core Zone. Fit, acclimatized hikers do the whole traverse as a single 12 to 16 hour day, but it is a brutal push and not recommended for most.
Very hard. The Forest Service says fewer than 10% of applicants usually win the advance lottery, and only 24 people a day can enter the Core Zone. Shoulder-season weekday dates and the less contested zones give you better odds. After the lottery, check recreation.gov for cancelled dates and try the daily lottery from Leavenworth.
You need a permit, but it's free and easy. Day hikers fill out a self-issued day-use permit at any of the three trailheads, and day use is allowed in every zone, including the Core. Only overnight trips from May 15 through October 31 need a lottery or reservation permit.
Genuinely hard. It's 2,000 ft of gain in less than a mile on loose talus. Lingering snow into early July can make it dangerous. Plan 1.5–2.5 hours for that section alone.
Typically the last week of September through the first week of October, but it varies by year. This is the most popular (and hardest to permit) time.
No. Aasgard Pass alone disqualifies it as a beginner hike. You should be comfortable with steep loose terrain, high altitude, and long distances before attempting this.
Not currently required, but mountain goats are persistent and will go after any food storage. A canister is the safest option; hanging bags work but require careful execution.
The Forest Service runs the advance lottery February 15 through March 1 each year on recreation.gov and posts results around March 15. That was the 2026 schedule. Check the recreation.gov Enchantment Permit Area page in January for the exact 2027 dates.
The Enchantment Permit Area has five zones: Core Enchantment, Colchuck, Stuart, Snow and Eightmile/Caroline. A Core Zone permit lets you camp in any zone. Other permits keep you in the zone on your permit.
There are three. The Stuart Lake trailhead (for Colchuck Lake, Aasgard Pass and the west-to-east traverse) is about 8.5 miles up Icicle Road, then about 4 miles on Forest Road 7601. The Snow Lakes trailhead is 4.3 miles up Icicle Road. The Eightmile trailhead is on Forest Road 7601 on the way to Stuart Lake.
No. The Enchantments are in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, near Leavenworth in the central Cascades. Permits come from the Forest Service through recreation.gov.
No. Dogs and all pets are prohibited throughout the Enchantment Permit Area, including the Snow Lakes Trail. Only service animals as defined by the Department of Justice are allowed.
Not for camping. Overnight permits are required only from May 15 through October 31. Outside that season the Forest Service asks visitors to self-register at the trailhead box. Expect snow and a winter closure on Forest Road 7601 to the Stuart Lake trailhead.
Application window: mid-February to early March.
Day-hike the Enchantments or Colchuck Lake on a free self-issued trailhead permit, or enter the daily lottery on recreation.gov the day before, from within a mile of the Leavenworth ranger station.
Leavenworth, WA is the gateway town, flying into Seattle-Tacoma (SEA).
Yes. The worked day-by-day plan is Going-to-the-Sun Road: The Drive, Every Stop, in 2 Days (2 Days), with the permits, the stays and the drive times already sorted. Tell us your dates and we will put it together for you and confirm what is genuinely open on those days. Asking is free: no card, no deposit, and nothing is held until you say yes.
