We left the Stuart Lake trail head about 1:00pm on Wednesday and arrived at arrived at Colchuck Lake around 5:00pm. The weather was great--around 60 degrees the entire way. A few flies but nothing biting. It was a challenging first day and ascent but doable. We traveled with our 12 year old son and he had no difficulty. After a few not so great camp sites, we found a great site almost to the Southern edge of the lake. The evening was windy but actually warm.

We started out toward Aasgard Pass at 6:40 am the following morning and made the summit at around 10:30 am. The morning was overcast and really windy. This was our first trip to the Enchantments, and we thought we were prepared. However, the ascent up to Aasgard Pass is not for a novice hiker. In my opinion, anyone attempting this hike/climb should have some solid experience in scrambling up rock paths and cliffs. The path was well marked with cairns, but many sections are unstable with loose rock and boulders. The wind also added a bit to the suspense.

Once we reached the summit, the view was amazing. The weather continued to be a bit overcast, but no storms. The trails were clear and well marked with cairns. Only saw 1 mountain goat the entire trip. The upper Enchantments were beautiful. No bugs here. The descent down toward Vivian Lake was a bit steep with some serious drop-offs. I would not want to tackle these in wet conditions or with heavy packs.

The final 6-7 miles were grueling. All of the other reports will confirm this. We only had 2 days to do the trip and it was truly a Death March. Next time we will take the 3-4 days every one else recommends.

The larch were turning and the scenery was stunning. I think September must be the perfect time to do this hike. While our son did very well, I would say this is not a hike for kids!

   This hike was a 4 day trek from on August 21-25, 2011 starting at Stuart Lake Trail Head, cutting off on Colchuck Lake Trail, then hiking over Aasgard Pass, through The Enchantments, down through Snow Lakes, and out passed Nada Lake ending at Snow Lakes Trail Head off Icicle Creek Road outside of Leavenworth, Washington. This was hike 34 of 50 planned at age 50 this year. This is my favorite hike in all of Washington. The approximate distance is 18.1 miles with the highest point at 7800 feet which is Aasgard Pass. We started up Stuart Lake Trail #1599 off Icicle Road outside of Leavenworth, Washington at approximately 9:10 AM with sunshine for 2.3 miles. There was about 30 cars in the parking lot so you know this is a popular trail. The lower half of this trail is mostly in the shade with minimal panoramic views and very well maintained. Plenty of water and views of Mountaineer Creek and Mount Stuart.
   We then turn left on Colchuck Lake Trail #1599A for 1.6 miles and head up a steep grade through boulders up to Colchuck Lake at 5570 feet. This 1.6 miles takes a toll on you with a 50 pound pack. This is in the top 5 for me of the most beautiful Alpine Lakes in Washington State. Then we went around Colchuck Lake for 1.1 miles to camp at the bottom of Aasgard Pass. We chose to camp right at the bottom so we could get a very early start up the grueling Aasgard Pass. We did some fishing and caught several large Rainbow Trout. We also experienced an avalance coming down from Colchuck Glacier which is to the right of Aasgard Pass. Several hikers including a Ranger were headed down Aasgard Pass so I imagine they got a good scar hearing that.
   The next morning we were late heading up the trail around 7:00 am. The reason for the early climb is to get to the top before the sun beats down on you from above. The trail is marked with cairns (stacked rocks) for those not familar with them. Most of the trail up Aasgard Pass is big boulders so its hard to identify a beaten down trail at first. Be careful on this stretch because this is a grueling hike to the top even though it is only .7 of a mile you climb from 5570 to 7800 feet. The rocks are loose in areas and the people in front of you can push them right down on you. I experienced this first hand. Because I listened to the rangers warning and kept my distance from my partner I was hiking with nothing came that close. Numerous times the trail rocks were so loose that I decided to climb the boulders along side the trail for safety reasons. Some areas are very steep and not meant for people with no experience hiking in this type of terrain. We took three hours and 20 minutes to get to the top. There was one small area of snow to cross on the trail but it was quite level.
   The view from the top was spectacular. Colchuck Lake below, Colchuck Glacier, Little Annapurna, Dragon Tail Peak to our right, Enchantment Peaks to our left and the Upper Core Enchanments ahead of us. Breath taking and worth ever extra breath and strenuous step I had to take to get to the top. After and hour of group pictures and talking to others at the top we headed down hill. The rest of my group felt good enough to climb up Enchantment Peaks for spectacular views of Mount Baker, Glacier Peak and Mount Rainier. I was still geting use to the altitude and partial dehydration from the climb. I drank two liters going up but still felt dehydrated. I decided to head on down the trail to see if I could be ready when they caught up to me to climb Little Annapurna. They were definitely too tired and so was I but we did find our self taking pictures of a herd of mountain goats that had surrounded me quite curiously while I was waiting for them.
   We all decided to head on down the trail to Enchantment Lakes which was our second camping spot. Along the way we saw numerous small lakes draining down to the bigger lakes. First big lake was Isolation Lake and there was still lots of snow melting off and draining into it. We had to hike across some snow fields but nothing to worry about. The next lake was Crystal Lake which is very beautiful and you can see out towards Mount Rainier. This lake is way below the trail and not along the main trail that most peole hike but you can still get great views. As I said there was a number of snow fields to cross and the only one that bothered me a little this day was going down hill to Inspiration Lake. I slipped a little but dug in my treking poles hard. It only took about 5 minutes to cross this section. Inspiration lake is beautiful like all the Alpine Lakes up here. We crossed around the lake and down to Enchantment Lakes where we made camp for the second night. There was still lots of snow around the lake which is at approximately 7000 feet. Beware the mosquitoes were like vampires and relentless all day and into the night. If you don't have spray you are going to suffer or hang out in your tent as a prisoner of war. After spraying ourself quite alot we decided to set up camp in our secret spot up on the hill. There was not one other group camping by the lake that night which suprised me because last time we were there it was packed with people. We enjoyed the quiet and the chance to hike around the area and see the sites without the 50 pound pack on us.
   We were exhausted by morning fighting off the vampire mosquitoes so we packed up our gear and hung it off a boulder while we headed up Prusik Pass to get a view of the lakes on the other side. These lakes are off the main path but are very beautiful. They are Shield, Earle, Mesa, Coney and Tokeitie. The path downhill was packed with snow so we decided to play it safe and take pictures of those we could see from the top where there was no snow. There is a lot more snow this time of year then the last time we were there. Looking in back of us were views of Perfection, Inspiration Lakes as well as Mount Rainier which were unbelievable. You can see this from my top picture here. After an hour or so we headed back downhill picked up our gear and headed around Enchantment Lakes toward Sprite Lake.
   Sprite Lake is the smallest lake here but still beautiful. It has a nice little waterfall that flows into it from Enchantment Lake. We then headed downhill over boulders following the Cairns since the trail was not distinct until we saw a spectacular waterfall near Leprechaun Lake and this was our third place we decided to camp. We got news after arriving at Leprachaun Lake that an elderly lady we had passed on the trail twisted her ankle and couldn't walk. She was lucky because there was a doctor and nurse hiking who helped her out by splinting her ankle and getting her settled in for the night until they could get a helicopter in the next day.
   We settle in for the day and hiked around the lake and up in the mountains. I have a different perspective of this lake now since camping at it. I find it to be one of the better lakes to base your hiking from in the upper mountains and recommend it to anyone going there. You can hike up to Prusik Peak from here for great views of all the lakes in the Upper Core Enchantments or down to Lake Viviane for great views of waterfalls and Upper Snow Lake a 1000 feet below. The fishing in this lake is pretty good. Recommend flies that are white in color is what my brother Don said. The stars were out that night and the views were unsurpassed due to no interference from man made light.
   By the next day we thoroughly got our fill of hiking, photos, videos and fishing so we head down to Lake Viviane and over the edge for the 1000 foot drop to Upper Snow Lakes. There were several areas climbing down this section that were somewhat scary but we made it off the edge with only one problem and that was the goat standing next to the rebarb in the boulder we needed to climb down. We started to walk toward him and he finally climbed straight up a boulder that I definitely would have needed ropes for in a split second. We quickly understood why they can easily get around so fast up here. We headed on down the steep trail checking out the waterfall coming out of Lake Viviane and the rushing creek headed toward Upper Snow Lake. This section of the trail is more distinctive and easier to follow with less Cairns but there were still some in areas that could be confusing.
   We finally got to Upper Snow Lake for some great views but decided to get around the lake for our lunch stop which is near the man made rock brige that spans across between the Upper and Lower Snow Lake. We ate here and climbed out on the big log jam to get a spectacular view of Upper Snow Lake and the surrounding mountains. You can see picture #3 of that view. After a half hour of rest we decided to head on down to Nada Lake. Oh by the way! you can get a great view of Lower Snow Lake if you take the trail to the right about 200 feet before the bridge spanning the two lakes. The reason I bring this up is that I missed that view last time I hiked this trail and only had a small view from the bridge because the lake has so many trees around it.
   We headed down to Nada Lake and to our suprise we got great views really quick but it takes a lot longer than you think to hike all the switchbacks and boulder fields to get down to lake level. Get all your photo ops of the lake when you first get a glimpse of it because those are the best. We finally got to the far end of the lake and filled up our camelbacks. I already knew in my mind that the rest of the group was going to want to hike the rest of the way out instead of camping at Nada Lake like we did before.
   We arrived at the lake around 11:00am so we did not want to hang out here for 9 hours until night time when we knew we could hike out in less than four hours. It is approximately 6 miles downhill to get to the Snow Lakes parking lot on Icicle Creek Road. A caution to all. If you decide to do what we did and hike out make sure you have a full camelback or a couple of water bottles full. You have access to water for awhile but just when you get out of the last trees into the area that was burned out from a forest fire about ten years ago the temperature rises 20 degrees and there is minimal shade the last two miles. My knees were hurting as well as the bottom of my feet were burning from all the downward pressure and chaffing from socks and shoes. Do not use cotton socks that obsorb sweat find wool or polyester which sweat less and helps with chaffing. We finally made it down after numerous rest stops that I didn't like when we were in the sun. I was told by my brother that it was about 90 degrees. When we left Leprechaun Lake I needed to wear a sweat shirt and cover because it was that cold so you can see how much this changed from the Upper Core of the Enchantments down to the parking lot. All and all a great hike that I recommend to any avid hiker not to those out of shape or with young kids. I still would rather climb Aasgard Pass and get to the top at 7800 feet quicker then going up the Snow Lake Trail. From Stuart Lake Trail to the top of Aasgard Pass is about 5 to 6 miles from there its all downhill. If you go from Snow Lake Trail Head its 13.1 miles up hill to Aasgard Pass. It may not be as steep in places as Aasgard Pass but it still would take a lot longer to me. Hope you enjoyed my report. I know its long and I will be editing it as I read over it and find any of my mistakes.
   Checkout videos of this hike and other hikes I have done in Washington on my youtube channel at lmm3181 or click on these safe but direct links.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bd6caTJ1ZZM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqJv5t8Ua4g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fowoJn1gIVA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXGXwKc_gKE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SGDv50t8qQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiqSBq_a3UA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0s6Sl_mSuw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=os0tDYiR9Is
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffQwxltYz7o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_5Io6c5_wo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AvkXEe0wj4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4huNatPt1bw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOF046as0es

Enjoy your hiking and get out there and see The Enchantments. They are all inspiring.

Take Care
Mike

We won the lottery for a five day hike to the Enchantments....so pick up the permit at Leavenworth and hit the trail! The hike up to Colchuk Lake is easy at first and then moderate after the second bridge. There are many great campsites near the lake. The view of Dragontail and Colchuk Mtns overlooking the lake is great. Aasgard Pass looms over the lake. Colchuk Lake is a great destination in its own right and gives a person a steep doorstep to a dayhike into the upper Enchantments.
We arise early as you dont want to be climbing Aasgard with the sun beating down on you. It was a 2 1/2 hour climb up, steep, follow cairns but key word is snowfree except for small boot path thru a 50' section near the top. Highly recommend trekking poles for this trip. There were many spots on the climb and later in the trip that they really help in balance with a full pack. As you cross from the left side of the stream to the right, there are more difficult steep rocky sections to clamber/crawl over.
Of course, at the top...great views of Upper Enchantments and peaks. We explored Brynhilde and Freya Lake...deciding to camp on sandy shore of NE corner of Freya Lake.Fantastic view of Dragontail,Witches Tower and Lil Annapurna. There is considerable snow left in area and both lakes still had ice on them....very quick, brisk immersion for all. Toasted a great sunset with Lagavulin.
Third day, we hike to top of Little Annapurna...moderate hike up the slope with snowfields at top. Yep, its worth it! Adams,Rainier,Stuart,Baker,Glacier and all the rest....two of us decided to do the immediate ridge to the west. So we went as far as we could, a small saddle before Witches Tower. Then found some slopes we could glissade down towards Brynhilde Lake...also some that were too steep and exposed but made it down easily with the poles. We hiked past waterfall draining Brynhilde into lovely steam/pond area. There is a snowfield at the end of this area that runs down to Talisman Lake. It would be somewhat dicey earlier in the year as it is steep and exposed to a slip and a quick fall into the lake. There are no problems at this time of year with poles...some members of our party even glissaded down to the bottom steering with their poles and heels to come to a stop before hitting the water. We camped on a large slb of flat rock at N end of the lake. Great site for three tents and views.
We also went up Prusik Pass, across the steep snowfield to the trail that goes down to Shield Lake. Exposed, rough trail but great valley...we wanted to do the Druids Plateau but decided to turn around and explore the ridge from Prusik Pass to end of Rune Lake. Great ridge!.....great views to the left,right and ahead. At the end, you overlook Sprite and Rune Lake and the cascading waterfall from Talisman Lake. Then you can glissade a small snowfield coming off it to Rune Lake...recommend it.
Fourth day is to explore Crystal Lake...you cross the outlet of Rune Lake and follow trail around the end of McClellan Peak to the lake. It was my favorite lake of the trip....and all of these lakes are great. Climbed the ridge overlooking the chasm between Annapurna and McClellan, stunning views! We traversed around the lake, glissaded some more snowfields and then several of us had the idea to climb ridge by McClellan. There was no trail, we just went up from the flats between Rune and Crystal, crossed two snowfileds and then ascended the very visible light colored talus area to the notch in the ridge. It gets technical near the top with some very steep,vert climbing to do but the handholds are there. We were glad we did as it gave us a western facing view of the Enchantments from Dragontail to Cannon and Prusik. We clambered down, hiked past Sprite and Leprechaun and down to Lake Viviane. There are some rebar steps on the way down to Viviane, very secure but would be dicey in slick,snowy weather. We camped above the outlet stream with views down the valley towards Snow Lakes. Very windy night as weather blew thru.
Fifth day is the hike out. Arise early as it can get hot near the end of this hike from Lake Viviane...basically 5 hour hike out. The trail down to Snow Lake is well done, follow cairns and take your time as there are some steep, rocky sections. Also some toeholds and sections chipped out to make it safer. I would rather go down Snow Lakes than go down Aasgard Pass...and vice versa. Great hike down, Nada Lake is very beautiful setting. After you cross the bridge, its probably four miles of switchbacks and some serious down.....drink up, it gets hot as temp climbs and you encounter the burned out area.
Great hike, would love to do it in late September someday...I think the larches would be spectacular with less bugs and people.

Started the snow lakes trail head around 7:45 am, it was a good 70 degrees the whole time! The trail was clear and no snow all the way up to Nada lake(5.2m,elev:4900ft)we followed the trail around the lake where there were a few patches of snow we started up the rocky switchbacks towards snow lakes gaining about 600ft in the next 1.2 miles. ran into a pack of mountain goats on the way up(be careful) kinda scary ended up having to wait for them to pass for about 25 minutes.

After we got to the top of the switchbacks we hit snow for the last 1/4 of a mile to the lakes. there are very defined boot tracks going to the lake. only about 15 minutes from when you hit the snow to the lakes. got to the lakes about 1:00 pm after a few detours & eating lunch. hungout enjoyed the lakes for about an hour and headed down. got back to the car about 5:30 pm. great hike, cant wait to come back and do the enchantment lakes!