Washington·United States
Photo: Buidhe · Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
The Enchantments are a string of alpine lakes set among bare granite, glaciers and larch trees that turn gold in late September. The lottery permit for overnight stays is one of the hardest to win in the country, and the day-long through-hike is famous for its difficulty and its beauty.
In season: Jul–Oct · Peak: Sep–Oct
The through-hike covers about 30 km with 1,400 m of climbing, including the steep scramble up Aasgard Pass. Camping in the core zone needs a lottery permit; many hikers do it in one long day instead.
The turquoise lake below the pass, no permit needed
Over Aasgard Pass to the granite lake basin, lottery permit
The long way in from the east, less brutal than Aasgard
Enter the lottery in February for overnight permits, or plan a one-day through-hike from the Stuart Lake trailhead to Snow Lakes with a car shuttle. Start at dawn, and walk to Colchuck Lake first if you only have a day.
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