The Enchantments
Hiking & Backpacking Guides for the Enchantments in Washington
Everything You Need to Know to Visit the Enchantments Permit Area in Leavenworth, Washington
Below you'll find our hiking and backpacking guides for the Enchantments, one of the most coveted wilderness destinations in the Pacific Northwest. From planning a full thru-hike of the Enchantments traverse in a single grueling day, to backpacking the Core Zone over multiple nights, to day hiking Colchuck Lake, these guides are built for hikers who want firsthand, field-tested information.
Each guide covers everything from permits and logistics to gear and packing lists, based on our years of experience hiking and backpacking in the Enchantments across multiple seasons.
Backpacking the Enchantments
Whether you're planning your first overnight in the Core Zone or looking to refine your approach, these guides cover everything from navigating the Enchantments permit lottery to building a lightweight packing list designed specifically for the terrain and conditions you'll encounter above 7,000 feet.
Day Hikes & One-Day Thru Hikes in the Enchantments
From hiking to Colchuck Lake as a standalone day trip to completing the full Enchantments traverse in a single push, these guides break down what to expect on both ends of the effort spectrum — with logistics, trailhead details, and timing advice based on firsthand experience.
Why Trust Our Enchantment Guides?
Hi, we're Skye and Garrett — Washington-based hikers and backpackers who have spent the last 12+ years exploring the Enchantments in nearly every form the area offers. Skye has backpacked the Core Zone four times; Garrett twice. Together, we've completed the full Enchantments thru-hike in a single day during peak larch season, summited Colchuck Peak and Prusik Peak (twice) within the Core, and have day hiked to Colchuck Lake more times than we can count.
We're also hike and climb leaders with The Mountaineers in Washington, and our approach to the mountains is rooted in real experience — not trip reports compiled from other people's accounts. Every guide on this page reflects trails we've actually hiked, camped on, and navigated across seasons and conditions. Whether you're chasing a permit for your first overnight in the Core Zone or scoping out a day hike to Colchuck Lake, you'll find honest, detailed, firsthand advice here.
Helpful Packing Lists & Gear Guides
Not Enchantments-specific, but directly relevant to how you pack and prepare for a day in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. These guides cover what to carry on a day hike, how to build an ultralight backpacking kit, and our honest take on the best sun hoodies for high-exposure mountain terrain.
Leavenworth, Washington Specific Guides
Whether you're extending your Enchantments trip into a full weekend or exploring the broader Leavenworth area, these guides cover the best wildflower hikes in the region, where to stay near the trailhead, and how to make the most of your time in one of Washington's most scenic mountain towns.
Planning a Trip to the Enchantments? Don't Miss Our Complete Packing List:
What to Pack for Backpacking the Enchantments
The Enchantments has a reputation for demanding terrain and unpredictable weather, which means what you bring on your backpacking trip really matters. This guide breaks down exactly what to pack for a multi-night trip in the Core Zone, from a permit-ready food storage options, to the ultralight layers you'll want when temperatures drop fast above the treeline. Built from multiple seasons of firsthand experience backpacking the Enchantments, it's the most detailed, field-tested packing list you'll find for this specific route.
Get ready to backpack the Enchantments like a pro!
