Leavenworth, Washington
The Enchantments Core Traverse
The most coveted alpine traverse in Washington — 18 miles past granite spires and turquoise lakes.
- Difficulty
- Strenuous
- Length
- 18 mi
- Elevation Gain
- 4,500 ft
- Duration
- 10–14
- Best Season
- Late Jul–Sep
- Permit
- Required
- Dogs
- Not allowed
- Features
- Aasgard Pass, Alpine lakes
About the trail
The Enchantments is a glacially-sculpted basin of alpine lakes, larch trees, and granite spires high above Leavenworth. The point-to-point traverse climbs the brutal Aasgard Pass (2,200 ft in 0.8 miles) from Colchuck Lake, then descends past Inspiration, Perfection, Sprite, and Snow Lakes to the Snow Lakes Trailhead. Mountain goats are a near-certainty. Best done in a single push to avoid the lottery for overnight permits.
Trailhead map & directions
Trailhead: 47.4778, -120.8054Get directions →
Turn-by-turn route
- Arrange a shuttle: park one vehicle at the Snow Lakes Trailhead (US-2) and one at the Stuart Lake/Colchuck Trailhead (Icicle Road).
- Start at Colchuck Trailhead.
- Hike 4.5 miles to Colchuck Lake.
- Climb Aasgard Pass — steep, loose, route-finding required.
- Traverse the Core Zone past Inspiration, Perfection, Sprite, and Snow Lakes.
- Descend the Snow Creek switchbacks to the Snow Lakes Trailhead.
Parking
Stuart Lake Trailhead and Snow Lakes Trailhead. NW Forest Pass required.
Tips from the trail
- Day hiking does NOT require the overnight lottery permit, but it is one of the hardest day hikes in the Lower 48.
- Don't descend Aasgard — go up only. Falls have been fatal.
- Larch trees turn gold in late September — peak photo season.