Enchantment Lakes

The camera stands on bare granite in the middle of the basin, above the treeline. A sharp rock spire stands directly ahead, the most obvious of several around the rim; the ground between falls away to a chain of small tarns held in scooped granite, the water very still and very clear. Everything underfoot is either bare rock, low alpine scrub, or larch. There is no path visible in any direction, which is accurate - the basin is reached on foot over a pass, and access is rationed by permit for exactly the reason this panorama shows: there is not much here that would survive being busy.

The Enchantment Lakes area of Washington State, commonly referred to as the Enchantments, is an ideal place to indulge in the majesty of Mother Nature. Bring a good pair of hiking boots and prepare to be amazed by the views.

The Enchantment Lakes area of Washington is a high alpine basin that lures outdoor enthusiasts in with its scenic lakes and jaggedly-beautiful mountain summits. Side trails wind their way around the area and provide excellent tracks for day hikes, and visitors who don't want to leave when the sun starts to set can find plenty of places to set up camp. Some call this the best hiking in the state, so you might consider lingering for a while. In other words, if you have the time, you might try to get a backpacking permit that is good for a few days so that you can fully enjoy the masterpiece that is Enchantment Lakes landscape. Arguably the best time to visit is in the fall when the larch trees are changing color.

Enchantment Lakes Numerous alpine lakes are found in the Enchantment Lakes area. Examples include Colchuck Lake and Tranquil Lake. Colchuck Lake is an excellent place to take a break from hiking in the upper basin territory. While resting and recharging, those who make it to this lake are greeted with up close views of Colchuck Peak and Dragontail Peak. Tranquil Lake is also located in the upper basin area and is a recommended spot to refill your water supply should you need to do so. Other lakes that are responsible for inspiring the name of the Enchantments Lakes area include, but are not limited to, Isolation Lake, Perfection Lake, Nada Lake and the upper and lower Snow Lakes. Campsites can be found along or near some of the lakes. Just remember to bring bug spray if you are camping here in the summer. Also, there are permit requirements for the area, which we discuss below.

Upper Enchantments The Upper Enchantments area is more austere and rugged than the Lower Enchantments. Some go as far as to refer to the alpine scenery up here as something almost unworldly. It takes a good amount of effort to get up to the very top of the upper reaches. The route along the Aasgard Pass that leads into the upper portion of the Enchantments climbs 2,200 feet in less than a mile, which should give you a good idea of the workout that you will get if you choose to take it on. Among the bodies of water that are found at higher elevation are Perfection Lake and Gnome Tarn.