Hike the Enchantments
The Enchantments is an area within the 414,000 acre Alpine Lakes Wilderness and are widely regarded as Washington's crown jewel of alpine hiking — an otherworldly landscape of glacially polished granite, crystal-blue lakes, ancient larches, and free-roaming mountain goats.
Permits are required for day and overnight use in this area
Three zones make up the Enchantments permit area, each with its own character: the stark, moonlike Upper Enchantments; the lush, larch-draped Middle Enchantments; and the dramatic Lower Enchantments anchored by Lake Viviane beneath Prusik Peak's soaring granite fingers.
However, there is no easy way in.
Every route demands significant elevation gain, requires good gear, and can present obstacles and extreme weather where one can easily find themselves in distress.
This site is your source for learning more about the Enchantments area with links to all the best resources you need to plan your hike.
Since this in a fragile and popular area, please also explore the ways you can help enhance, assist and protect the Enchantments for generations to come.
I want to…
How does one Give a Schnitzel?
The popularity of the Alpine Lake Wilderness and the Enchantments means in peak months, visitation causes damage and ill prepared hikers can make choices that are fatal. We ask all visitors that while enjoying this area that you simultaneously helps us protect this fragile resources and it’s unique wilderness character for generations to come.
Pack out everything — no trash cans in the backcountry
Use designated privies only — mountain goats are attracted to the salt in human urine; privies keep waste out of reach
No campfires — fires prohibited including twig-burning stoves (e.g., BioLite). Use canister stove with isobutane/propane
Stay on designated trails — alpine terrain recovers slowly from compaction
Camp only in designated sites within your permitted zone
Filter or treat all water
Store food properly — bear canister or hang food
Respect group size limits — check current regulations per zone
We want all our visitors to be safe as they enjoy this natural playground, always being mindful of leaving it better than how they found it.
This is what it means to Give a Schnitzel.
Upper Enchantments
Reached via the punishing Aasgard Pass climb (1,900 ft in under a mile), the Upper Enchantments feel like another planet — a stark moonscape of lichen-covered granite below the long ridge of Dragontail Peak. Tranquil and Isolation Lakes sit in this zone. Snow can linger on Aasgard Pass well into July; check conditions before attempting.
Middle Enchantments
Where the rock gives way to alpine meadow and the larches begin. Inspiration Lake is tucked into a dramatic granite basin below Enchantment Peak. Perfection Lake — whose name is no exaggeration — is mirrored by century-old larches. Sprite Lake connects to Perfection via a slot of white water. Peak larch season: late September.
Lower Enchantments
Framed by McClellan Peak and the iconic fingers of Prusik Peak, the Lower Enchantments contain Leprechaun Lake and Lake Viviane — the gateway lake when approaching from the Snow Lakes trailhead. Viviane rivals Inspiration for sheer drama, with Snow Creek thundering out of its rocky basin.
Dogs Are Not Permitted in the Enchantments
Dogs are strictly prohibited in the Enchantments Permit Area year-round. This regulation has been in place since the 1980s, put in place to protect the native white-tailed ptarmigan population, which was significantly disturbed when dogs were allowed. Ptarmigan populations have shown recovery since the ban.
The prohibition is enforced by Forest Service Wilderness Rangers. Violations can result in fines. No exceptions — leashing a dog elsewhere on the trail does not permit entry into the permit area.
No dogs allowed — year-round, no exceptions
Protects native white-tailed ptarmigan and ground-nesting birds
Dog-friendly alternatives nearby: Icicle Creek corridor, Lake Wenatchee area, Eightmile Lake (outside permit area)
Mountain Goats
The Enchantments' mountain goats have become habituated to humans and actively seek salt from human urine and sweat. This is a management problem — not a sign of friendliness — that erodes their natural wariness and can lead to aggressive behavior.
Always use the pit toilets/privies throughout the permit area
Do not urinate near camp or on vegetation — goats dig up soil to find salt
Give goats the right-of-way on trail
Never feed, attract, or approach goats
Shuttle Service
Loop Connector is a Leavenworth shuttle service for the thru-hikers of the Enchantment Lakes. Select the number of passengers, choose your date and departure time and on the morning of your trip we meet you at the (Snow Lakes TH) & shuttle you to the (Colchuck/Stuart Lake TH). Your car will be waiting for you at the bottom!
Other HikesNearby
If the Enchantments are a bit more of a commitment than you were looking for, you want a trail that is LESS CROWDED, yor ou need a trail you can take your leashed dog on; we have curated some other recommended hikes in the area to consider. Questions? Call the Leavenworth Willkommen Center for more ideas. (509) 548-5807, Open 9-6 daily.
Easy Hikes
Icicle River Nature Trail
This is a fun trail for walking and learning about the spectacular Icicle River Valley and the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery. Be sure to pick up the interpretive brochure before heading out on the trail. This gentle trail can be used by the entire family, and the wide paths and level surfaces make it easy to bring a stroller or wheelchair along with you.
Dogs: Allowed on Leash
Difficulty: Easy
Round trip distance: 1 miles
Round trip time: 1 hours
Permit Details: No permit required during the spring/summer/fall months. (LWSC ski pass required in winter)
Location: Leavenworth Fish Hatchery
Penstock Trail
The Penstock, now on the National Historical Register, was a huge water pipe used to deliver water to a powerhouse located where the parking lot is now. The electricity powered electrical engines which pulled trains through the Cascade Tunnel at Stevens Pass.
Dogs: Allowed on Leash
Difficulty: Easy
Round trip distance: 2 miles
Round trip time: 1 hour
Permit Details: No permits required.
Location: Leavenworth Area
Difficult Hikes
Icicle Ridge
This trail goes one way, up. It can be hiked for as long or as short as you like. The natural turnaround point is two miles into the hike at a small flat spot on the ridgetop. For those looking for views into the Leavenworth Valley, you can climb this trail for about a half mile and get a splendid overview into town.
Dogs: Allowed on Leash
Difficulty: Difficult
Round trip distance: 6 miles
Round trip time: 3 hours
Permit Details: Permit required
Icicle Gorge Nature Loop
A gentle loop trail that traverses both banks of the Icicle River. A great trail for those that want to experience the magic of the Icicle Valley without having to grunt up and down significant elevation gains
Dogs: Allowed on Leash
Difficulty: Easy
Round trip distance: 4.2 miles
Round trip time: 2 hours
Permit Details: USFS Northwest Trail Pass, a fee tube is at the trail head.
Location: Alpine Lakes Wilderness
4th of July Creek
If you are looking for great views of the scenic Stuart Range, then this is a hike for you. Get ready to work for the view though, as the hike is a long, dry and steady uphill grunt. If you decide not to go all the way to the top, you still can catch nice views about two miles into the hike..
Dogs: Allowed on Leash
Difficulty: Difficult
Round trip distance: 13 miles
Round trip time: 9 hours
Permit Details: USFS Forest Trail Pass
Location: Alpine Lakes Wilderness