Enchantments Traverse
Cascades, WA
Elevation Profile
Current Conditions
Bottom Line
Considerable avalanche danger across all elevations makes this a no-go for March backpacking — the Enchantments require extensive snow travel and avalanche terrain exposure that's unjustifiable at this danger level.
42°/28°F · Mostly Cloudy then Light Snow
Considerable (3/5)
45" depth
Normal flows · 5 gauges
No active fires within 50 miles
11h 52m daylight · Sunrise 7:17 AM · Sunset 7:08 PM
Full Briefing
The avalanche hazard is the trip-killer here. Considerable danger at all elevations means careful snowpack evaluation and conservative decision-making are essential, but backpacking through the Enchantments in March requires extensive travel through avalanche terrain with overnight exposure and limited escape options. Even though the bulletin shows no identified problems (which is actually positive), the general Considerable rating reflects unstable conditions that make multi-day commitment in this terrain unwise.
The weather pattern supports this caution — you're looking at a warm-up with rain transitioning to snow, then more warming. Today's high of 31°F rising to 45°F Tuesday creates a melt-freeze cycle that can destabilize the snowpack further. The 14-21 mph winds Monday and Tuesday will also load leeward aspects. With 33-92 inches of snow depth at area SNOTEL stations and falling trends, the snowpack is settling but still substantial enough to produce dangerous avalanches.
Stream crossings won't be your limiting factor — all gauges show normal to below-normal flows (41-88% of median), and the cold temperatures will keep snowmelt minimal until the Tuesday warm-up. No fire concerns with clear air quality. The 11h 52m of daylight gives reasonable working time, but that's irrelevant given the avalanche conditions.
Consider postponing until late spring when the snowpack has consolidated and creek crossings become the primary hazard instead of avalanche terrain. If you're committed to March dates, redirect to lower-elevation, non-avalanche terrain options in the region.
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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