Greetings Washington's Alpine Lakes Wilderness encompasses 390,000 acres in the central cascade range between Mt. Rainier and the Glacier Peak Wilderness. It is an area marked by an abundance of high lakes and meadows amid a granite wonderland, unique in that it is so different from the more volcanic features normally found throughout the Northwest Cascades. And within this area, the trail most notable is the one that traverses from Snow Creek, over Asgaard Pass, to Colchuck Lake, passing the Enchantment Lakes along the way. In efforts to keep this area as pristine as possible, permits are strictly limited for entry into the "Enchantments Zone," and distributed by lottery at the beginning of every season. Flexibility is key to getting a permit, especially in the high summer and fall months. While not difficult, the trail is strenuous in sections, gaining over 6,500', and requiring some routefinding skills through rocky areas. The rewards make the effort entirely worth it. The Enchantment Lakes can be reached by several trailheads, the most popular being the Snow Creek trailhead outside of Leavenworth, and the Colchuck Lake trailhead requiring a brutally steep climb over Asgaard Pass. This description covers a 5-day out-and-back backpack, starting at the more moderate Snow Creek trailhead, and culminating with stunning views from Asgaard Pass. Nada Lake Day 1: From the town of Leavenworth, WA, take Icicle Rd. approximately 4 miles to the Snow Creek trailhead. Make sure to display your parking permit before departing. From the dusty trailhead, immediately cross Snow Creek and start up the dry, exposed hillside toward the valley above, amid stands of brilliant fireweed. This climb is better done in the cooler morning hours. Two miles from your starting point, the trail levels some, and you'll finally enter shaded forest alongside Snow Creek, just as the day is probably warming up. The next couple of miles tick off fairly quickly as you continue through shaded forest, keeping near to Snow Creek. Soon you're at the foot of Nada Lake and noticing a bizarre sight - a waterfall bursting directly out of the headwall - horizontally. The trail hugs the western shoreline around Nada Lake, offering a few camp sites, before starting a gradual rise toward the head of the lake and the unusual waterfall. Here you'll notice the "waterfall" is actually a piped drainage from the upper lakes. The views back down the valley over Nada Lake are especially pretty. Now the trail starts to climb through exposed switchbacks on a slope of rockfall in another big step. Watch for cairns indicating the route in some areas. After gaining another 700', you'll be deposited at the divide between Upper and Lower Snow Lakes. Cross the low stone dam between the two lakes and look for a nice camp spot to end the day. Lake & Peak Day 2: The climb from the Snow Lakes to the Enchantment Basin is a haul, and mostly exposed, so an early start is recommended. Now on the east side of Upper Snow Lake, notice more campsites, and the towering mass of Temple Peak across the lake. The level trail follows the shoreline around to the head where you'll begin the next big step up another 1,200'. The trail is steep and rocky, mostly amid rockfall and talus, and over some large outcrops of granite. Again, look for cairns marking the route. Don't forget to throw a glance behind you one or twice and take in a view of the Snow Lakes in the valley below you. Soon you'll approach Vivienne Falls, cascading over the sheer wall above. A few more steep switchbacks and you're entering the Enchantments Zone, and gazing across the deep blue water of Vivienne Lake in a granite basin below the spiked point of Prussik Peak. A large rock outcrop offers spectacular views and a spot to drop your pack and have lunch. There is no camping near Vivienne Lake, so moving on, keep careful watch on the rock cairns marking the route to the right, climbing above the lake. Don't get distracted by the faint trail past the privy. Take in another view, now high above Vivienne Lake, then descend to the shores of blue-green Leprechaun Lake, in a basin of sheer granite walls, with another view of Prussik Peak looming overhead. Look for campsites on the small peninsula, or on the rock outcrop at the head of the lake. Sprite Lake Day 3: Today's the day to leave the big pack behind and spend the day exploring the lake basins to Asgaard Pass on an 8-mile round trip, with 900' of elevation. Head up the trail along Snow Creek over granite slabs to a short climb up a rocky slope, and the next lake in the chain, Sprite Lake. This small, turquoise lake sparkles brilliantly with crystal-clear water, and is headed by a small waterfall emptying from Perfection Lake just above. Continue around the north shore of Perfection Lake through grassy meadows below Prussik Peak and cast a glance across the lake, backed by Little Annapurna - absolute perfection! The trail then climbs the western slope to deposit you in the next basin - Inspiration Lake, deep blue and surrounded by sheer granite walls. Near the head of Inspiration, look for a couple of campsites with stunning views over the lower lakes. Climb another rocky slope above the lake, likely snow-covered late into the season, to an alpine realm of glaciated granite and wide meadows. Several lakelets dot the landscape now, as Little Annapurna looms ahead. Watch for mountain goats. Detour off the trail to mount a large outcrop that offers stunning views above Crystal Lake, and out to Mt. Rainier. If time allows, scramble to the top of Annapurna, otherwise continue over more granite and talus fields, past milky-blue Isolation and Tranquil Lakes, to Asgaard Pass below Dragontail Peak for immense views across the North Cascades. Turn back when ready. Lake & Peak Days 4, 5: Depending on your interest and timeframe, the next couple days can be custom-made. It's an 8-mile, 5,400' descent back to the trailhead, which can be brutal on the knees, and easily split into two days, camping again at one of the Snow Lakes. Or, stay another night at Leprechaun Lake and spend day four trekking to Prussik Pass, north of Perfection Lake. If you choose the two-day exit, look for sheltered campsites near the head of Upper Snow Lake. Some descend to a wide sandy beach, inviting you to some sun-soaking lounge time, or a dip in the chilly lake waters, directly beneath Temple Peak. Hitting the trail early on day five you can easily accomplish a noonish exit at the trailhead, just in time for lunch back in town. If you opt for one more day of alpine exploration, head back up the trail to Perfection Lake and choose one of the trail junctions passed the day before—descending south to Crystal Lake, or climbing north from the meadows to Prussik Peak and more big views. Either option presents inviting opportunities. Upon exit though, be sure to hit the Leavenworth Pizza Co. for an excellent pie and ice cold drinks. See the complete Image Gallery Wenatchee Nat'l Forest information and permit applications