What is the status of the road leading to the Enchantments trailheads?

The road is consistently described as rough but passable. One report from September 14th specifically mentions the paved Icicle Creek Road from Leavenworth has potholes but is being worked on, and the Eight Mile Road is washboardy but accessible for a 2WD sedan with care. Another report from September 19th states the road is suitable for all vehicles, but parking can be limited, with one group parking about 3/4 of a mile down the road on September 19th.

Are there any significant trail obstacles reported in the Core Enchantments area?

Reports indicate that much of the Core Enchantments trail involves navigating over rough, granite terrain, boulder fields, and rocky sections, as noted on September 5th. While generally passable, these conditions can be tiring. One report from September 14th mentioned snow up to knee-level in the Core, making camping uncomfortable and route-finding tricky, though newer reports from September 17th and 19th suggest snow is primarily limited to the higher elevations of Aasgard Pass.

What are the current fall color conditions?

As of September 19th, fall colors are beginning to emerge, with larches starting to turn gold and other fall colors peaking in the alpine lakes and meadows. This vibrant display was noted as a highlight by hikers on September 19th.

The Enchantments

Central Cascades

updated 6 days ago

The Enchantments are experiencing a transition to fall conditions, with reports from September 19th noting that larches are beginning to turn gold and fall colors are peaking among the alpine lakes and meadows. While some intermittent snow patches remain, particularly on the upper sections of Aasgard Pass, these are generally considered passable with attention to footing, as reported on September 19th. The main trail is described as rocky with some wet spots. The road to the trailhead is generally rough but passable, though parking can be an issue with hikers needing to park further down the road as early as 8:30 AM on September 19th. Hikers should be prepared for variable weather and potential for quickly changing conditions, especially given the recent storm activity that has impacted snow levels on the pass.

Generated from 87 trip reports. Trails change faster than reports do, so check anything you’d turn around for.

What hikers ask about The Enchantments

Generated from the most recent trip reports, newest 6 days ago. Check anything you’d turn around for.

As of September 19th, there are intermittent snow patches on the upper sections of Aasgard Pass, particularly near the waterfall crossing. While these are generally passable with careful footing, one report from September 17th suggests that some hikers may prefer traction gear due to exposed sections and the potential for snow travel difficulties. Another report from September 16th describes the upper third as having compacted snow where microspikes might be considered, and mentions a risk of slipping and post-holing in the Core Zone with about a foot of snow at the top of the pass.