Enchantments Traverse
Cascades, WA
Elevation Profile
Current Conditions
Bottom Line
Winter Storm Warning through 11 AM today with heavy snow and 25 mph winds — this is a no-go for backpacking. Considerable avalanche danger across all elevations with unstable conditions, plus deep snow makes the Enchantments impassable without mountaineering gear.
31°/16°F · Heavy Snow · 1 alert(s)
Considerable (3/5)
47" depth
Normal flows · 5 gauges
No active fires within 50 miles
11h 45m daylight · Sunrise 7:21 AM · Sunset 7:06 PM
Full Briefing
The Winter Storm Warning through 11 AM today brings heavy snow and sustained winds up to 26 mph, creating whiteout conditions and dangerous exposure for backpacking. The Enchantments sit at high elevation where this storm will dump significant accumulation on an already substantial snowpack — Long Lake SNOTEL shows 95 inches and rising. With Considerable avalanche danger across all elevations and the bulletin noting 'dangerous avalanche conditions,' the alpine terrain of the traverse is off-limits for non-technical travel.
The snowpack data tells the story of why this isn't viable for March backpacking. Annie Springs at 6,000 feet shows 35 inches of snow depth, and conditions only get deeper as you climb toward the core zones. Even if avalanche risk weren't a factor, breaking trail through 3+ feet of snow with a backpack turns a 20-mile traverse into an epic sufferfest requiring snowshoes or skis, plus knowledge of winter route-finding when the normal trail is completely buried.
Stream crossings won't be the issue — flows are well below normal across regional gauges, with the San Antonio River at just 38% of median. But that's because everything is locked up as snow and ice. Nighttime lows in the teens mean any water sources will be frozen solid by morning, and daytime highs barely reaching 30°F won't provide reliable liquid water.
This trip needs to be rescheduled for late June through September when the Enchantments are actually accessible for backpacking. If you're dead set on getting out this weekend, consider low-elevation desert options or established winter camping areas with vehicle access, not an alpine traverse that requires technical mountaineering skills in these conditions.
Waypoints
Stuart Lake Trailhead
Start from the Stuart Lake trailhead off Icicle Creek Road.
3,445 ft
Colchuck Lake
Stunning turquoise alpine lake. Camping available with permit.
5,151 ft
Aasgard Pass
Brutal 2,000-ft talus scramble. The crux of the traverse.
7,700 ft
Core Enchantments Zone
The heart of the Enchantments. Lakes Viviane, Leprechaun, and Sprite.
7,218 ft
Snow Lakes Trailhead
Long descent to the Snow Lakes trailhead. Arrange car shuttle.
1,798 ft
Route Details
Distance
18.0 mi
Elevation Gain
6,801 ft
Elevation Loss
7,799 ft
Max Elevation
7,700 ft
Estimated Days
2
Trailhead
Stuart Lake Trailhead
Best Season
July through early October. Larch color in late September is spectacular.
Permit Required
Overnight permits through lottery at recreation.gov. Apply in February-March. Day use does not require permit.
About This Route
The Enchantments is a stunning alpine area in Washington's Alpine Lakes Wilderness, featuring crystal-clear lakes set among golden larch trees and granite peaks. The through-hike from Stuart Lake to Snow Lakes is one of the most sought-after overnight trips in the Pacific Northwest. The core zone contains over a dozen named lakes, each more beautiful than the last, connected by granite slabs and alpine meadows. In late September, the larch trees turn golden, creating one of the most photographed landscapes in Washington. The traverse crosses Aasgard Pass, a grueling 2,000-foot climb up loose talus. Overnight permits are extremely competitive—the lottery typically has a 2-5% success rate. Day hikers can do the traverse as a long day (18 miles, 4,500 feet of gain), but it requires starting before dawn. The terrain is rugged and exposed with limited water sources in the upper zone.
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