Backpacking through the Enchantments Core Zone is an unforgettable experience, and we returned for a second time to soak in its alpine beauty. From the turquoise waters of Colchuck Lake to the summit of Little Annapurna, our 5-day trip included challenging climbs, peaceful campsites, and plenty of wildlife encounters (goats included!).
In this detailed trip report, we break down each day of our trek through the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, including campsite highlights, gear mishaps, goat sightings, and trail tips—plus some epic views along the way.
Trip Overview
- Location: Enchantments Core Zone, Central Washington
- Start Date: September 16 2024
- Duration: 5 days / 4 nights
- Distance: Approx. 30 miles
- Highlights: Colchuck Lake, Aasgard Pass, Little Annapurna, Sprite Lake, Gnome Tarn
- Difficulty: Strenuous (due to elevation gain, rocky terrain, and exposure)
Day 1: Leavenworth to Colchuck Lake via Stuart Lake Trail
We woke up at 6:40 a.m. in Leavenworth, Washington, and had breakfast at 7:00. We then drove to the Snow Lake trailhead to catch our 8:15 shuttle to the Colchuck trailhead. Our hike to Stuart Lake began around 8:45 a.m.
We started off in a dark, dense forest filled with all kinds of mushrooms along the Enchantments trail. The trail was a steady climb, but not as tough as I remembered from last year’s Enchantments backpacking trip. We took the fork toward Stuart Lake. Along the way, we saw a red squirrel and a deer. The Stuart Lake Trail is moderate, with a few uphill sections and plenty of flat stretches. The flats felt soft—like walking on mattresses. We then crossed a beautiful meadow with sweeping views of the Alpine Wilderness.
When we arrived at Stuart Lake, we looked for a good spot to eat lunch and soak our feet. The weather was warmer than we expected, which was nice as we expected low 50F/10C. I sat back and admired the view of the Alpine lake, watching dragonflies darting by.
The hike from Stuart Lake to Colchuck Lake was all uphill and felt endless—we kept asking ourselves where the lake was! It was a slog.
Once we arrived at Colchuck Lake, we scouted around for a campsite and eventually found a quiet spot surrounded by rocks and trees. It even had a natural “balcony” overlooking Colchuck Lake, where we cooked dinner.
While we were getting water, a chipmunk raided our camp and made off with a bag of nuts! After dinner, we waited for the sunset. The reflections on the lake during golden hour were incredible. Colchuck is a striking turquoise alpine lake, surrounded by dramatic mountains in the Enchantments Zone.
The full moon lit up the sky all night, so it never got very dark. We slept well, though now and then we heard rocks falling—or at least, we think that’s what it was.
Day 2- Colchuck Lake to Inspiration Lake via awful Aasgard
We woke up with the sunrise over Colchuck Lake in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, and the lake looked like glass—absolutely still, with no wind. It was beautiful.
After breakfast and packing up, we began our hike toward Aasgard Pass, one of the steepest and most challenging ascents in the Enchantments Zone. We stopped by the beach on Colchuck Lake to collect some water before continuing. The trail began with a traverse over massive boulders, which led us to the base of Aasgard Pass.
Never again! Just when you think you’re nearly at the top, you realize—nope—you’re not even close. We had to take off our packs multiple times just to scramble over huge rocks and navigate some sketchy climbing. It took us way, way too long. It felt like a never-ending drag. I should have remembered that part from the previous year but somehow I like to torture myself! To make matters worse, I started feeling some strain in the tendon of my left knee. That definitely didn’t help with the climb—I was extra cautious not to make it worse. We finally made it and stopped for lunch at Tranquil Lake, one of the lesser-known alpine lakes in the Enchantments, where we dipped our feet in the cold water and took a much-needed break.
Snow still clung to the surrounding peaks, reminding us how high in elevation we were. After that, we crossed the upper Core Enchantments Zone toward Inspiration Lake. The trail was mostly flat, passing one beautiful alpine lake after another in this high-elevation wilderness area. At one point, we had to cross a patch of snow—my husband slipped, but managed to stay upright!
The scenery felt almost lunar: rocky, surreal, and otherworldly—until we arrived at Inspiration Lake, where larches—not yet golden—framed the shoreline. We set up camp just a few meters from the water. The wind had picked up, and it was getting really cold. The weather app on our Garmin inReach said 40°F/ 5C, but it felt more like 30°F/ 0C. We ate quickly and got into the tent as soon as we could. To pass time, we played some games—like 20 Questions—while waiting for the sun to set.
The sunset didn’t produce any remarkable color reflections on Inspiration Lake, so we crawled back into our sleeping bags and got ready for bed. In the middle of the night, the wind suddenly stopped. But the full moon kept everything glowing—it never really felt dark in the Core Enchantments.
Day 3- Inspiration Lake to Little Annapurna to Sprite Lake
We woke up and made breakfast—and were greeted by a group of mountain goats passing through our campsite near Inspiration Lake in the Enchantments Core Zone. They casually circled around as we ate, completely unbothered by our presence.
While you camp at Inspiration Lake don’t miss the toilet here offering one of the most scenic bathroom views imaginable—looking straight out at iconic Prusik Peak.
Our plan for the day was to summit Little Annapurna, one of the most rewarding side hikes in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. To reach the base of the climb, we backtracked about a mile from Inspiration Lake. Little Annapurna stands at 8,457 feet, and we began our hike from roughly 7,066 feet—an elevation gain of nearly 1,400 feet.
The ascent involved some scrambling, but cairns marked the route clearly. We traversed granite slabs, loose rock, and massive boulders, with ever-improving views at every turn. Looking back, we could see nearly the entire Enchantments Core Zone—including lakes like Perfection, Isolation, and even distant Snow Lake. Each new elevation gave us a fresh vantage point of the rugged landscape.
Compared to Aasgard Pass, the hike up Little Annapurna felt much easier, though still steep in sections. At the summit, we were rewarded with a stunning 360-degree panorama: Mount Rainier and Mount Baker rose above the clouds, and expansive alpine vistas stretched in every direction. We noticed a wildfire burning far off in the distance but were relieved it wasn’t near our route.
We ate lunch at the summit and even took a short nap, enjoying the rare solitude—no other hikers were in sight, so we had the entire summit of Little Annapurna to ourselves. It was an unforgettable moment.
The descent was smooth, and at one point, I spotted a marmot watching us from behind a rock. We stopped by a glacial stream to filter water and paid a quick visit to another “toilet with a view”—this time overlooking the serene waters of Crystal Lake—before returning to our camp near Inspiration Lake.
Once back at camp, we soaked our feet in the cold alpine water and relaxed until a bold chipmunk made another attempt to steal our snacks. This time, it left empty-pawed.
After packing up, we continued toward Sprite Lake. The trail meandered alongside Perfection Lake, framed by larches just beginning to turn gold and autumn ground cover in deep reds, browns, and greens.
At Sprite Lake, we found a quiet, secluded spot to set up camp. We spent the evening by the water, watching mountain goats wander through the basin and listening to a nearby waterfall. We even spotted small fish darting in the crystal-clear lake. At one point, an ant crawled across my foot—my husband flicked it into the lake, and a fish snatched it up instantly!
We had dinner by the lakeshore, then waited for sunset, watching the sky light up in a rainbow of colors. It was the perfect end to a magical day in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.