The Enchantments

The Enchantments traverse links a chain of alpine lakes across three distinct zones in the Stuart Range. The route runs point-to-point from the Stuart Lake trailhead to the Snow Lakes trailhead, dropping through the Upper, Middle, and Lower Enchantment basins. Most parties hike north to south, gaining Aasgard Pass early and descending the long Snow Creek drainage to finish.

The Upper Enchantments sit in stark granite above treeline, with Tranquil and Isolation Lakes carved into slabs directly below Dragontail Peak and Little Annapurna. The Middle zone softens into alpine meadows and ancient subalpine larch stands surrounding Inspiration, Perfection, and Sprite Lakes. The Lower Enchantments frame Leprechaun and Viviane Lakes against the vertical walls of Prusik Peak and the Temple. Mountain goats roam all three zones and show little concern for hikers.

Aasgard Pass is the crux. It gains 580 meters in under a kilometer of steep talus with no maintained trail. Route-finding matters here. Stay left of the larch grove on the ascent or risk dead-ending in cliff bands. The Snow Creek descent on the far end is relentless, dropping over 1,500 meters to the car with sustained steep switchbacks that punish knees.

Overnight permits run through a lottery system on Recreation.gov, opening each February for the May 15 to October 31 season. Limited walk-up permits release daily via a mobile geofence lottery near the Leavenworth Ranger Station. No dogs, no campfires, no wood-burning stoves in the permit area. Use the provided privies.