The Enchantments
2 weeks ago
Asgard Pass is difficult, with deep snow
4 this month · 95 reports
Snow Lakes
Central Cascades
updated 3 weeks ago
The Snow Lakes trail is currently in good condition with no snow reported as of October 20. The road is suitable for all vehicles, and parking was plentiful at the trailhead on a weekday morning in late October. While lower elevations still showed amazing fall colors in late October, higher elevations felt like any other northwest wilderness hike. Navigation can be challenging in some sections, requiring route-finding skills over rough granite and boulder fields, especially if attempting a full traverse like Aasgard Pass. Days are getting shorter, and starting early is recommended for any extended trips.
Generated from 21 trip reports. Trails change faster than reports do, so check anything you’d turn around for.
What hikers ask about Snow Lakes
Generated from the most recent trip reports, newest 3 weeks ago. Check anything you’d turn around for.
The trail was reported as snow-free as of October 20. This suggests current conditions are clear of snow at all elevations.
Daytime temperatures were in the 40s, and nighttime temperatures were around 30 as of October 20. This indicates cool, crisp conditions are likely.
Yes, the road to the trailhead is suitable for all vehicles as of October 20 and August 27. Ample parking was available at the trailhead on a weekday in late October.
While the trail is generally in good condition, some sections require route-finding skills over rough granite and boulder fields, particularly for those attempting a full traverse. There were no specific obstacles like blowdown or washouts mentioned in the recent reports.
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Trail notes generated from recent reports. Conditions change fast.
Sources
Recent3 weeks ago
Central Cascades > Leavenworth Area
A perfect weather, late season backpacking trip with two people. Arriving at the Snow Lakes trailhead around 8:30 there was plenty of parking. Even though it was a Tuesday I was surprised at how emp...
Central Cascades > Leavenworth Area
A pattern change came just in time for the last weekend of meteorological summer in the high country of the cascades. Hot and dry seems to have given way to cool, crisp, and wet, and we experienced th...
Central Cascades > Leavenworth Area
Hello all. I just got back last night from 6 days, 5 nights backpacking the Enchantments. I will give you a detailed summary from the Colchuck trailhead to the Snowlakes trail head. Just wanted to sta...
Older4 months ago
Central Cascades > Leavenworth Area
We started the day in icicle river RV resort at 4:30 AM, after getting packed and sorted, we headed out around 5 AM to the snow lakes trailhead. We opted for 2 car strategy, parking one car at the sno...
Older4 months ago
Central Cascades > Leavenworth Area
Breaking my first Enchantments traverse into two trip reports because trail, road, bugs, and snow conditions are different…and I can share more photos. If you’re planning on doing this traverse this s...
Older4 months ago
Central Cascades > Leavenworth Area
We scored a Snow Lakes permit on my partner’s birthday— his first backpacking trip ever. I usually go ultralight, so carrying “standard” weight was a new and miserable experience for me! We camped at ...
Older4 months ago
Central Cascades > Leavenworth Area
We had a pass for 2 nights in the Snow Lakes area, we were hoping to get to the upper Snow Lake and do a day hike into the core area but didn't quite make it. Like has been said before there were a lo...
Older4 months ago
Central Cascades > Leavenworth Area
On a Tuesday.Trail conditions: good.Tennis shoes were perfect up to the far or south side of Colchuck Lake.Changed to medium weight boots for the rest of the day.White caps on Colchuck.Dry, snow free ...
Older5 months ago
Central Cascades > Leavenworth Area
On a Friday.Trail condition:Between the trailhead and the bridge over the inlet to Upper Snow Lake, I came across 96 obstacles.79 were step overs or go arounds, 15 were I-am-so-glad-I-am-not-backpacki...
Older5 months ago
Central Cascades > Leavenworth Area
Spent 2 nights at Snow Lakes and loved it!! Such a beautiful part of the enchantments with stunning blue green lakes and looming granite cliffs. At Snow Lakes you get great sunrises and sunsets with l...