Please note, you need a permit to enter the Enchantments and please tread lightly as the area is very fragile. More information on permits can be found here:
Wenatchee National Forest: Enchantment Area Permits[om_gmap zoom=”11″ lat=”47.528967″ lng=”-120.820599″ ]

Getting there:

Drive Highway 2 to Leavenworth and turn south onto Icicle Road. Follow the road approximately 4.5 miles to the Snow Lake Trailhead on your left. For the Colchuck Trailhead, continue on another 3 miles until you reach FR 7601. Turn left and head up 3.5 miles to the road’s end and the trailhead.

NW Forest Pass required

[dropcap]Q[/dropcap]uite possibly the most popular of all areas in Washington, the Enchantments are well worth the effort it takes to hike in. There are two different access routes, a vast expanse of area to explore, and the opportunity to thru-hike or make a multiple day trip. This is a place I will definitely be returning to.

September 26, 2009: Day 1

I hiked in through the Colchuck Lake trail and had to slog up Aasgard Pass – 2300 vertical feet in less than one mile.

Okay, that trout was at least 13 inches. Stupid thing got off my hook when I pulled it out of the lake.

Lunch! By the way, I caught one first cast out. I caught my limit in about 15 minutes.

September 27, 2009: Day 2

[dropcap]I[/dropcap] had camped at Perfection Lake the first night, and in the morning made a quick little jaunt up to Prusik Pass to check out the view.

On the way up Prusik Pass, looking back toward Perfection Lake. Little Annapurna in the background

McClellan, Perfection, and Little Annapurna from the top of Prusik Pass

Looking down toward Shield Lake from Prusik Pass

Looking back up toward the Upper Enchantments

Looking down toward camp over Perfection

Prusik Pass in the saddle in the center and the ridgeline I hopped down

[dropcap]A[/dropcap]fter the morning exploration, I did some fishing and then packed up camp to move back into the Upper Enchantments. Found a nice spot near a tarn at the base of Little Annapurna and pitched the tent. Next up, I set off to conquer Little A.

Inspiration Lake on the way back up to the Upper Enchantments

Apparently the goats like licking the rocks. Seems they get the salt from them. Someone must have peed there.

Camp number two. Near a tarn at the base of Little Annapurna

Already at 8000 feet and another 500 to go

Looking west toward Aasgard from about halfway up Little A

On the top of Little Annapurna, natural rock walls

See that little patch of sand on the left? It’s just big enough to fit a tent

Enchantments-Full — The Enchantments from the top of Annapurna

September 28, 2009: Day 3

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he next morning I woke up early enough to catch the sunrise. After a copious amount of picture taking, I packed up camp and made my way back up to Aasgard, down to Colchuck, and back to the Jeep.

The Enchantments 2009

September 26, 2009: Day 1

September 27, 2009: Day 2

September 28, 2009: Day 3

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