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Planning the right season for The Enchantments

Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Washington

When To Go: The Enchantments

Apply to the Enchantments lottery in February for a late-September or early-October overnight permit — that is when the larches turn gold and the bugs are gone.

Apply

Mid-February through early March (Recreation.gov)

Results: Late March

Best months

Late September to mid-October for larch season; July and August for warm alpine swimming

Permit type

lottery — Enchantment Permit Area overnight lottery

Recreation.gov — Enchantment Permit Area

Month by month at The Enchantments

  • JanuaryClosed

    Deep snow; winter mountaineering only.

  • FebruaryClosed

    Lottery application month, but the terrain is full winter.

  • MarchClosed

    Avalanche terrain on the Aasgard approach.

  • AprilTough

    Snowpack still deep in the Core.

  • MayTough

    Lower trails melt out; upper basin still buried.

  • JuneShoulder

    Snow travel above Colchuck; creek crossings run high.

  • JulyPrime

    Melt-out finishes; long days, warm swimming, bugs at their peak.

  • AugustPrime

    Warmest, driest stretch. Thunderstorm risk in the afternoon.

  • SeptemberPrime

    Larches begin to turn late month. The single most sought-after window.

  • OctoberPrime

    Peak gold in the first two weeks, then hard freezes.

  • NovemberTough

    Snow returns; permits no longer required but conditions are wintry.

  • DecemberClosed

    Full winter conditions.

Crowds

The through-hike trailheads are busy every fall weekend. Day-hiking the traverse is unpermitted and heavily used; overnight zones are strictly capped.

Weather

Snow can linger in Aasgard Pass into July and can return by late September. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in July and August.

What actually decides the trip

  • The overnight lottery is zone-specific — Core Enchantments is by far the hardest draw; Snow Lakes and Colchuck are more attainable.
  • A one-way through-hike needs a car shuttle between the Snow Lakes and Stuart Lake trailheads.
  • Bear canisters or approved hangs are required and goats are aggressive about salt — pee on rock, well off trail.
  • Aasgard Pass is 2,000 feet in under a mile of loose talus. Treat it as scrambling, not hiking.

Activities: Backpacking · Day hiking · Photography

Size it yourself

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