The Enchantments

It sits about fifteen miles southwest of Leavenworth and roughly three hours from Seattle, deep in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. A compact high basin holds a chain of impossibly blue tarns and lakes beneath the granite spires of the Stuart Range, crowned by the much photographed Prusik Peak, and it is as wild as it is beautiful. This is true backcountry rather than a recreational trail, and reaching the core means climbing the steep boulder scramble of Aasgard Pass, while mountain weather can swing from sun to snow in hours. Overnight stays run through a lottery, with most permits drawn each February for the season ahead and a smaller daily lottery releasing next day permits to hikers already in Leavenworth. Late September and early October bring the golden larches at their peak, while July and August offer the most reliable snow free weather.