Enchantment Area Wilderness Permits

The rugged and beautiful Enchantment Permit Area is contained within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness in the Cascade Mountains of Washington State. Permits are required for day and overnight use in this area. It is managed according to the Wilderness Management Plan and the 1964 Wilderness Act, to provide protection of fragile resources and preservation of wilderness character for generations to come.

Dragontail and Colchuck Peak above Colchuck Lake

**Table of Contents (Click to Navigate)**
Overnight Daily (Legacy Walk-up) Lottery Information	Overnight Advanced Lottery Information
Detailed Maps of Enchantments Permit Area	Enchantment Permit Area Historic Application Data
Enchantment Permit Area Changes and Cancellations Policy	Enchantment Permit Area Rules and Regulations
Important Changes	Planning Your Trip
Recreation.gov Enchantment Permit Reservation Site	Aasgard Pass Warning!

Changes coming in 2024 to the former "Daily Walk-up Permit Lottery"

In May 2024 the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest will make an administrative change to modernize and streamline the Enchantments Daily Lottery process. The former (or legacy) daily, in-person, walk-up lottery will be replaced with a new geofence mobile (smart phone with location enabled) application process available through Recreation.gov, which is the Forest Service’s recreation reservation service platform. This transition will serve as a pilot project of the new geofence application.

Applications can only be submitted via a mobile device (ex. smart phone, tablet) on the Recreation.gov mobile app or browser. No lottery is run on Saturdays or Sundays.

Permit applications must be submitted using a location-enabled mobile device through the Recreation.gov app or website the day before the desired hike date. Applicants must be located within the geofence, defined as a one-mile radius from the Leavenworth Ranger Station. It is not required to stay within the geofence once an application has been submitted. Successful applicants will be notified the same day through the email address registered on the Recreation.gov account, and are required to pick up their permit in person and attend an informational briefing at the Leavenworth Ranger Station the day before the hike.

Following the previous format, only one permit per zone is issued for the Colchuck, Stuart, Snow Lakes, and Eightmile/Caroline zones and 8 people allotted for the Core Enchantment Zone in each day’s geofence lottery.

Permit drawings will not occur on Saturdays or Sundays. Applications will only be accepted Monday through Friday, for hikes beginning on Tuesday through Saturday. (Permits for hikes starting on Sundays or Mondays were already allocated through the advance lottery.)

Please be aware of the following deadlines when applying to ensure a smooth application process:

Application: Apply between 7:00 am PT and 10:00 am PT the day before the desired hike day. Applicants must be on a location-enabled mobile device (tablet or smartphone) within the one-mile geofence from the Leavenworth Ranger Station to apply.

Applicants Notified: At 11:00 am PT, applicants will be notified of results through an email. They do not need to be in the geofence to receive this notification.

Deadline to Accept and Pay: Successful applicants must log in to Recreation.gov and accept and pay for the permit by 2:00 pm PT the same day.

Permit Pick up: Permits MUST be picked up in person the day before the hike, between 12:00 pm PT and 4:00 pm PT at the Leavenworth Ranger Station or permits are forfeited. At pick-up permit holders will receive a Wilderness Educational Speech by staff.

Enchantment Lottery Statistics

View a complete list of applications, by zone and including preferred date and zone choices.

2023 Enchantment Permit Lottery Statistics Data [520 pages, PDF]

Data is also available as Excel spreadsheets:

2023 Data Excel file

2023 Data CSV file

2022, 2021, 2019 Enchantment Permit Lottery Statistics Summary [1 page PDF]

2022 Complete Raw Enchantment Permit Lottery Data [10 mb, 647 pages, PDF]
Data also available as Excel spreadsheets:
2022 Data Excel file
2022 Data CSV file

2021 Complete Raw Enchantment Permit Lottery Data [5.5 mb, 443 pages, PDF]
Data also available as Excel spreadsheets: 2021 Data --- 2020 Data
View complete list of applications, by zone and including preferred date and zone choices.

How to Leave No Trace in the Enchantments

IMPORTANT CHANGES

PARKING

Parking along FS Road 7601 is now allowed, but only on the right side of the road (going up). For vehicles parking on the road or in the parking area -- a NW Forest Pass, America the Beautiful Pass or the Overnight Visitor Parking Pass that comes with Enchantments overnight permit must be on display on your vehicle’s dashboard. Day Passes can be purchased at the trailhead, and the pass must be displayed on the dashboard of vehicle, even if parking on the road.

Day hikers are encouraged to park on the road or in the island of parking area. Leave designated overnight parking for permit holders.

Consider carpooling, riding a bike or have someone shuttle you to the trailheads to further reduce impacts and overcrowding. If you have any questions please call the Leavenworth Ranger Station at (509) 548-2550.

CORE ENCHANTMENT ZONE

Changes to Overnight Permit Rules and Regulations

The CORE Zone entry is by PEOPLE not GROUP. For example each day up to 16 people are allowed entry in the advanced lottery and up to 8 people are allowed in the new geofence application lottery. This can be any combination as long as the total number does not exceed 24 people in one day entering the CORE ZONE.

People cannot add more individuals if there are none available in the daily quota of people for the CORE.

When you apply for a CORE permit through the lottery, make sure you indicate the minimum number of people you would be willing to accept, knowing you cannot add more later.

Colchuck, Stuart, Snow and Eightmile/Caroline Zones: More individuals can be added to a permit up to a max of 8. Maximum party size is 8. Two permits CANNOT be combined to form a group larger than eight.

ALTERNATE GROUP LEADER

An Alternate group leader can be identified during the lottery application process but it is optional. An alternate may not apply for a permit or reserve a permit in the same season. Alternates must have a recreation.gov account and accept being the alternate within 72 hours of application submission. Alternate group leaders cannot be added or changed after application is submitted. No exceptions.

Knowledge of regulations is your responsibility.
Violation of permit terms or other Forest Service regulations may also invalidate an issued permit, requiring a group to terminate their visit with maximum penalties of $5,000 and/or 6 months in jail.

ATTENTION: Eightmile and Caroline Permits have been reduced. Eightmile Lake currently has limited overnight campsites and lake access due to the 2017 Jack Creek Wildfire. Many campsites and the trail along the northwest side of the lake were burned over and are now closed for natural restoration and resource recovery. Camping within this zone is available in designated campsites along the northeastern side of Eightmile and at the Caroline Lakes. If campsites at Eightmile Lake are full, please move on to the Caroline Lakes. Camp in designated sites only, do not camp on vegetation or create new sites.

Overnight Permit Season

Due to the overwhelming popularity of this unique area, all visitors must obtain a permit if visiting from May 15 through October 31.

Day users need only fill out a free day-use permit, available at any of the three trailheads accessing The Enchantment Permit Area. Day use is very popular and opportunities for solitude are limited and not likely during the summer.

The limited entry overnight fee permit season for the Enchantment Permit Area is to help manage increased visitor use and resulting resource damage at this popular destination. Permits for overnight stays are required from May 15 through October 31.

Demand for overnight permits far exceeds the number available, therefore advance reservations are highly recommended. A pre-season advanced lottery is held February 15 through March 1 of each year to allocate the majority of permits. Following the advanced lottery, remaining permits are available on a first come, first served basis through the recreation.gov reservation system.

Recreation.gov Enchantment Permit Reservation Site

Quotas for Enchantment Permit Zones

Core Enchantment Zone: 24 people per day*
Colchuck Zone: 3 groups per day
Stuart Zone: 4 groups per day
Snow Zone: 5 groups per day
Eightmile / Caroline Zone: 3 groups per day

*Core Enchantment Zone: 24 visitors are permitted to enter the Core zone per day. 16 visitor spaces are available through the advanced lottery, while the remaining eight spaces are available through the new geofence application lottery. Maximum group size is eight people. When you apply for a Core permit make sure you indicate the group size you would be willing to accept knowing you cannot add individuals later.

Early and Late Season Access

While permits may be reserved as early as May 15, early spring snow and weather conditions may not allow road access to the Stuart Lake or Eightmile Lake trailheads during the early part of the season. Even if road access is possible, traveling and camping on snow is highly likely during May, June, late September and October. Please familiarize yourself with the change and cancellation policy if you choose to apply for permits during the early spring or fall. No refunds will be given for weather conditions.

Important Information

ONE alternate group leader will be accepted during the application period. Permit holder MUST carry photo ID with permit and show it to a Ranger upon request. Permits are not valid without ID and signature. Permit holder must be 18 years or older.
If your alternate permit holder accepts being an alternate during the season as a lottery award, they will not be able to hold another permit during the season for any zone. IF you accept an alternate leader role you cannot hold another permit during the season for any zone. Alternates cannot be added or changed after the lottery.
Only one lottery application per person will be accepted.
Permit holders will be able to print their permit online within 14 days prior to their trip start date.
Permit is NOT VALID if trip is started on a date other than what is indicated on the permit.
All group members must begin on the reserved trip start date and must camp with the permit holder.
Every group member must carry a copy of the permit.
Permits must be printed, read and signed by the permit holder, unsigned permits on a cell phone are not valid.

Enchantment Advanced Lottery Timeframes for 2024

START Date/Time:

February 15, 2024 @ 7:00 a.m. (PT) Pacific Time

END Date/Time:

February 29, 2024 @ 11:59 p.m. (PT)

Lottery applications are for overnight trips into the Enchantment Permit area between May 15 and October 31.

All applications received during the advanced lottery will be randomly drawn on March 7, 2024 at 1:55 a.m. (PT)

View Lottery Results: Log in to your Recreation.gov account to view lottery results on/after March 14, 2024

Accept / Confirm your permit award before March 31, 2024 11:59 p.m. (PT)

All unclaimed lottery awards will be returned to the advance reservation system April 1 around 7 a.m. (PT)

The advanced lottery process is a TWO step process:

During the advanced lottery, the applicant must select an entry date, group size, alternate group leader and permit zone and pay the $6 non-refundable application fee.
After March 14, applicants must return to Recreation.gov and login to their account to determine the results of the lottery. Successful applicants must provide an exit date and pay for their permit ($5 per person/per day) by March 31, 2024, 11:59 p.m. PT.

TIP: Do not print your permit until you are certain the party size and trip duration will not change. You can add group members (except for the Core Zone) and days to your trip up to eight days before your trip start date. Once a permit is downloaded, no changes can be made to the permit. Remember, there are no refunds for reducing people or days.

Important Note: Applying early during this period does not give you preference for a permit. All applications will be drawn at random once the lottery period has ended. In this way everyone has an equal chance at getting a permit regardless of what day they submitted their application.

Recreation.gov Enchantment Permit Reservation Site

For those that have submitted an advanced lottery application you will be able to view lottery results between March 14, 2024 @ 12:00 a.m. (PT) through March 31, 2024 11:59 p.m. (PT)

For those unable to enter the lottery, there are two other methods to apply for an opportunity for overnight permit to the Enchantments:

Through the daily geofence application lottery held Monday-Friday (for the purposes of Tuesday through Saturday hike starts) at the Wenatchee River Ranger Station office in Leavenworth. There will be no permits issued or available for pick up on Sundays or Mondays. More details on the new geofence mobile applicaiton process coming soon.
Through the advance reservation system beginning April 1, 2024 around 7 a.m. PT (around 10 a.m. ET). Not all dates and zones for the season are taken during the lottery.

For successful applicants:

Log in to your recreation.gov account from March 14, 2024 12:00 a.m. (PT) to March 31, 2024 11:59 p.m. (PT) to view lottery results and accept/confirm your permit.

IMPORTANT: If you are a successful applicant, you must CONFIRM/ACCEPT your permit by March 31, 2024 11:59 p.m. (PT) or it will be returned to the pool of available dates obtainable through the advance reservation process on Recreation.gov.

For those who did not submit an application in the advanced lottery or who were not successful through the lottery process, may still log in to Recreation.gov and look for available dates on or after April 1, 2024. Not all dates and zones for the season are taken during the lottery.

For those who did not submit an application in the advanced lottery or who did not "win" a permit through the advanced lottery process, you may still login to Recreation.gov and look for available dates on or after April 1. Not all dates and zones for the season are taken during the lottery.

Closely review the steps for applying for and obtaining your permit in the section below titled How To Apply For an Enchantment Area Permit.

Rules and Regulations: Make sure you know the Enchantment Permit Area Rules and Regulations before making your reservation. Information on this page addresses: permit rules, campfires, group size, toilets, water, wildlife and more.

Enchantment Conditions Report

How To Apply For An Enchantment Area Permit

There are three methods of obtaining an overnight permit during the permit season:

Apply during the annual advanced permit lottery
Make a reservation online after the pre-season/advanced lottery
Apply for a daily permit through the new “geofence” permit lottery during the permit season (available Monday through Friday only for the purposes of Tuesday through Saturday hike starts). No permits will be issued or available on Sundays or Mondays. More details coming soon regarding the new mobile application process. (posted 3-21-24)

1. Annual Advanced Permit Lottery:

75% of the total permits are issued by advance reservation through an online lottery at recreation.gov Applications for the lottery will be accepted on the website beginning February 15, 2024 7:00 a.m. (PT) and ending February 29, 2024 11:59 p.m. (PT). Note: applying early during this period does not give you preference for a permit. All applications will be drawn at random once the lottery period has ended. In this way everyone has an equal chance at getting a permit regardless of what day they submitted their application.

Applicants will need to:

(A) Set up an account. This can be done at any time. Your account will also allow you to use recreation.gov to reserve other permits or campsites that are part of the National Recreation Reservation Service system.

(B) Fill out an application at recreation.gov. Do this by searching for “Enchantment Permit Area” in the website's search box, and going to the Enchantments page. On this page you will be able to view all rules and regulations, select your preferred zone and entry dates, and submit your application for the lottery. ONE application per person with up to 2 alternate choices. If your alternate permit holder accepts being an alternate during the season as a lottery award, they will not be able to hold another permit during the season for any zone. IF you accept an alternate leader role you cannot hold another permit during the season for any zone.

Be sure to select the correct zone and entry date as these cannot be changed later. When you submit your application you will be charged a $6 non-refundable application fee. This fee funds the reservation system. At this point, you will NOT have purchased a permit, but rather will have entered the lottery. On March 14, 2024 around 12:00 a.m. (PT) lottery results will be available for applicants to view and finalize their permit. You must return to recreation.gov and log in to your account to find out the results of your application.

(C) Determine if you were successful in the lottery. Once the lottery has ended all valid applications will be run through the lottery process and results will be posted to your recreation.gov account on or around March 14, 2024 12:00 a.m. (PT). At this point you must return to your account to determine if you were a successful applicant. Do NOT wait for an email to tell you if you were successful.

(D) Confirm acceptance of permit. Successful applicants must confirm acceptance of their permit reservation, provide additional information about length of stay, and pay for the permit. Permits will continue to be NON-TRANSFERABLE. All group members are required to start on the same day and camp together. The $5/person/day fee finances on-the-ground administration and management of the Enchantment Permit Area.

Important: You must confirm and pay for your permit NO LATER than 11:59 pm (PT) March 31, 2024. Any unconfirmed reservations will be made publically available through the advance reservation system on recreation.gov on April 1, 2024 at 7 a.m. (PT).

(E) Print and sign permit. Permit holders must print permits online through recreation.gov. You no longer can pick up your permit at the Ranger Station. Permit holders will be able to print their permit online within 14 days prior to their trip start date. The group leader must read, sign and carry their permit, along with a valid photo identification, for the duration of their trip. Permit holders must be prepared to present their permit/ID to a Forest Officer upon request. Every group member must carry a copy of permit. Important: Once you print your permit, you can no longer make any changes to your permit. Do not print your permit until you are certain you do not want to add people (except for the Core Zone) or days to your permit. See Enchantment Permit Area Changes and Cancellations Policy.

2. Make a reservation online after the pre-season/advanced lottery.

After the advanced lottery permits are awarded, any dates that are not filled will be available at recreation.gov on the Enchantments Permit Area Page. Those who did not apply for the lottery, or those who applied for the lottery but did not get awarded a permit, will be able to search for available dates and claim any unreserved dates. This is a first come first served basis. Only a limited number of slots will be available as the majority of the reservation slots are booked during the lottery.

Recreation.gov Enchantment Permit Reservation Site

Guests will need to:

(A) Set up an Account. If you have not already done so. This can be done at any time, and your account will also allow you to use recreation.gov to reserve other permits or campsites that are part of the National Recreation Reservation Service system.

(B) Search for available dates. Go to the Enchantment permit page by searching for “Enchantment Permit Area” in the websites search box. On this page you will need to click on “Date Range Availability” and enter your desired permit zone as well as desired dates. Click search to find out if your date has any available spots. You will also be able to view a calendar which shows available dates.

(C) Complete your reservation. After you have selected your entrance date and zone, complete your reservation carefully following the instructions . Be sure to select the correct date and zone as these cannot be changed later. One alternate group leader may be selected and permits will continue to be NON-TRANSFERABLE. All group members are required to start on the same day and camp together. When you book your reservation you will be charged a non-refundable application fee of $6 and the standard rate of $5/person/day.

(D) Print and sign permit. Permit holders must print permits online through recreation.gov. You no longer need to pick up your permit at the Ranger Station. Permit holders will be able to print their permit online within 14 days prior to their trip start date. The permit holder must sign and carry their permit, along with a valid photo identification, for the duration of their trip. Permit holders must be prepared to present their permit/ID to a Forest Officer upon request. Every group member must carry a copy of permit. Important: Once you print your permit, you can no longer make any changes to your permit. Do not print your permit until you are certain you do not want to add people (except for the Core Zone) or days to your permit. See Enchantment Permit Area Changes and Cancellations Policy.

3. Apply for an overnight permit through the daily lottery permit throught the new “geofence" mobile application process during the lottery season -- Please see below.

Changes coming in 2024 to the former "Daily Walk-up Permit Lottery"

In May 2024 the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest will make an administrative change to modernize and streamline the Enchantments Daily Lottery process. The former (or legacy) daily, in-person, walk-up lottery will be replaced with a new geofence mobile application process available through Recreation.gov, which is the Forest Service’s recreation reservation service platform. The application will work on other location enabled devices, such as a tablet. This transition will serve as a pilot project of the new geofence application.

Please be aware of the following deadlines when applying to ensure a smooth application process:

Applicants Notified: At 11:00 am PT, applicants will be notified of results through an email. They do not need to be in the geofence to receive this notification.

Deadline to Accept and Pay: Successful applicants must log in to Recreation.gov and accept and pay for the permit by 2:00 pm PT the same day.

Inquiries regarding the Enchantments Permit Lottery website should be directed to Recreation.gov customer service:

Contact Info

Recreation.gov Enchantment Permit Reservation Site

Reservation Line:
Call Toll Free 1-877-444-6777
International 518-885-3639
TDD 1-877-833-6777

Customer Service Line:
Toll Free 1-888-448-1474

Planning Your Trip

First, thoroughly read The Enchantment Permit Area Rules and Regulations. Understanding the Permit Area Rules and Regulations is critical for planning your trip and having a positive experience in the Enchantment Permit Area. Violations of permit rules could result in citations up to $5,000, mandatory court appearance and termination of your trip.

The Enchantment Permit Area Zones

During the permit season, camping is restricted to the zone for which a permit is issued. The only exception to this is that those obtaining a Core Enchantment Permit are also allowed to camp in any of the other zones. All visitors are welcome to day hike beyond their zone- thus, those with a Snow or Colchuck Zone Permit may also visit the Core Enchantments, but on a day use only basis.

The overall Enchantment Permit Area is divided into five permit zones. The Permit Zones are:

Core Enchantment Zone
Snow Lake Zone
Colchuck Lake Zone
Stuart Lake Zone
Eightmile/Caroline Lake Zone

Click maps for larger versions.

Detailed Topo Map of Enchantment Permit Area
[Georeferenced PDF -- This map can be uploaded to your phone in an app like Avenza Maps and you will be able to locate yourself when in the map area, even without a cell signal]

JPG Version of Topo Map

Hiking Distances and Elevations:

Snow Lake: Snow Creek Trailhead to the Upper Snow Lake Dam

6.5 miles / 3800 foot elevation gain (and another 1.5 miles to the far end of the lake).

Colchuck Lake: Stuart Lake Trailhead to first view of the lake

4.2 miles / 2200 foot elevation gain.

Stuart Lake: Stuart Lake Trailhead to first view of the lake

4.6 miles / 1600 foot elevation gain.

Eightmile Lake: Eightmile Trailhead to the lake outlet

3.3 miles / 1300 foot elevation gain.

Lake Caroline: Eightmile Trailhead to the lake

5.6 miles / 3100 foot elevation gain.

Core Enchantments:

from Colchuck Lake to the top of Aasgard Pass:

2.5 miles / 2500 foot elevation gain

from the inlet of Upper Snow Lake to Lake Viviane:

1.5 miles / 1400 foot elevation gain

The Whole Core Enchantment Loop, Stuart Lake Trailhead to Snow Lake Trailhead:

approximately 19 miles / 6000 foot gain and 7800 foot loss

Frequently Asked Questions:

How can I improve my chances of getting a permit?
Because of the lottery, whether or not you are successful in getting a permit is partly luck. Bear in mind that the most popular time to go is August, and the most popular days to start a trip are Fridays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. If you really want to do a Friday-Sunday trip in mid-August, by all means apply for that trip, but remember that you’re odds of getting a permit will be less than if you tried for a Monday-Wednesday trip in July. View lottery statistics here

How many days can I stay in the Enchantments?
Maximum length of stay is 14 consecutive days. People may not exit and reenter at a later date. All group members are required to start on the same day.

What are the trips like?
A trip to the Core Enchantment Zone is recommended for experienced hikers. Plan at least 3 or 4 days for this trip. Steep and challenging terrain make travel with an overnight pack very strenuous. For most people, five days would be a leisurely visit, with time for side trips. In the other Zones, a quick overnight trip is reasonable for most people. A three day trip to Colchuck or Snow Lakes allows time for a day trip to the Core Enchantments, for fishing, or to explore. Likewise, while many find a two day (one night) trip to Eightmile or Stuart Lakes to be adequate, others take a few extra days to relax or fish. It is not reasonable to camp in the Eightmile/Caroline Zone and day hike into the Core Enchantments.

What is the terrain like?
The Enchantment Permit Area is typified by rugged glaciated peaks and a series of lakes ranging from 4400 feet to 7800 feet in elevation. The lower trails and lakes are forested, while the upper lakes are within a largely alpine environment. Trails are in places quite primitive, with steep, rocky sections. The trails to Eightmile and Stuart Lake are relatively flat and suited to beginners. The trails to Snow Lake, Colchuck Lake, and Windy Pass involve more difficult hiking, and traveling to the Core Enchantments involves scrambling over loose rock, bedrock slabs, and some snow even into late summer.

Click image for larger version

How hard is the hiking?
This is a difficult question to answer, given the range of visitors and their abilities. For visitors to the Core Enchantments, stretches of steep snow are simply added fun for some visitors, while others find them terrifying. For an average backpacker it is not an easy hike, and fatalities have occurred from falls on both snow and rock.

Very fit people often pass all the way through the Colchuck, Core Enchantment, and Snow Lake Zones in a single 20 mile day hike. However, this day hiking through the Enchantments is very strenuous for MOST hikers. Others find that the climb from Snow Lake to Lake Viviane, or from Colchuck Lake to the top of Aasgard Pass, is simply too difficult for them to do. On average, people with overnight packs will take 3 or 4 hours just to go from Colchuck Lake to the top of Aasgard Pass.

Stuart and Eightmile Lakes are the more suitable destinations for beginners or groups with young children. It really depends on your own comfort level, skill, experience, and fitness. Visiting the Core Enchantments is not a good first backpacking trip for most people.

Which route to the Core Enchantments is easier?
Hiking to the Core Enchantments is really about equally difficult by either approach, just different:

Colchuck / Aasgard Pass Route: The route from Colchuck Lake to the Enchantments goes up Aasgard Pass, which is a very steep climb and involves boulder-hopping around Colchuck Lake, then scrambling on loose rock and gravel. The route can also be snow covered through early summer, and often the early snows in September and October can make it dangerous. See warning and photo above. This route is steeper, but a little shorter than going in via Snow Lake, and the Stuart Lake Trailhead is higher than the Snow Lake trailhead. On this route your overall elevation gain is less than going in via Snow Lake.

Snow Lakes / Lake Viviane Route: The route from Snow Lake to the Core Enchantments involves a more gradual climb than the route via Colchuck Lake, but is longer. It involves more total elevation gain than the Colchuck/Aasgard Pass Route. The first 7 miles are on a fairly good trail, but the next 2 miles from Snow Lake to Leprechaun Lake, travels steep, eroded trail sections. The route also traverses bedrock slabs where a slip could result in a serious fall. Most people find this route to be easier on the knees and the back, but it is longer. Beyond Snow Lake it is still a difficult hike.

Do I need to bring an ice axe, crampons, or snowshoes?
This really depends on weather, season, side trips you might be planning, and your own skill level. But in general, a good set of ski or trekking poles and sturdy boots is what we recommend for people traveling to the Core Enchantments. Know your own limits and be willing to turn around if conditions are too difficult or extreme. In addition to our trail reports on this website, the hiking websites of WTA.org and NWhikers.net are excellent resources for trip reports on current or recent conditions.

What is the weather like?
Weather in the Cascades changes rapidly between extremes. Summer temperatures may reach above 100o F (38o C) and yet freezing temperatures are also possible in mid-summer. It can snow on any day of the year in the upper Enchantments, although snowfall in August is rare. Late September and October can be the nicest time for an Enchantment trip, with brilliant fall foliage and no bugs. During these months, however, freezing nights are common. In most years mixed snow and rain starts falling in mid-September. A May or June visit to the Core Enchantments will often result in seeing and travelling on a lot of snow, but not really seeing the lakes. The best source of current weather and forecast information for our area is found online HERE.

Can I do multiple trips?
Due to the popularity of the Enchantment area, only one permit per person, family, or group per zone is allowed each year.

Why aren’t permits required the restof the year?
Outside the permit season, most of the permit area would typically be under snow, and accessible only to experienced backcountry skiers/snowshoers with a high level of avalanche safety training and knowledge.

Are all the trails open to horses, llamas, or other pack animals?
No. The Snow Lake, Colchuck Lake, and Core Enchantment areas are closed to all pack and saddle stock at all times. The Eightmile/Caroline area is open to pack and saddle stock, but there are no campsites in that area where stock are allowed. Those wishing to camp in the area with stock must travel toward Windy Pass or use the designated stock campsite near Caroline Lake. Stock should be kept 200 feet from lakes, except while traveling.

Stock use is allowed on the Stuart Lake Trail only in the fall, after Labor Day. Stock groups are then also allowed after the permit season ends, until the end of the year.

Are dogs allowed?
Dogs, and all pets, are prohibited, except for Service Dogs as defined by Department of Justice regulations 28 C.F.R. Part 35.136. Dogs whose sole purpose is to provide therapy, comfort, emotional support or crime deterrent do not qualify as service dogs.

Are there bears?
Yes. Problems with bears have not occurred in recent years, but you can help keep it that way by hanging food, trash, and toiletries when in camp. As with all wildlife, help keep them wild and never feed them. Mice, squirrels, marmots, and marten are also present and are known to chew through food bags, packs, and tents when people are careless.

What about the goats?
Wild mountain goats are native to the Cascade Mountains, and are often seen by visitors, especially in the Core Enchantments. In recent years, they have become habituated to people, in some cases acting aggressively. These are large, powerful animals, and need to be treated with caution. Enjoy them from a distance and don’t encourage them. They are also very attracted to human urine; please use the toilets where provided, or urinate into gaps between boulders or other places that will prevent them from pawing up plants and soils to get at the salts in your urine.