The Enchantment Lakes in Leavenworth, Washington are a slice of alpine paradise right here in the United States. Crystal clear blue lakes are surrounded by granite mountains and pine forests carved by glacial activity thousands of years ago.
The Enchantment Lakes are an absolutely unparalleled experience, but there’s a high physical cost to getting there. There are no easy trails to get to the lakes, and seeing several in one day is grueling and close to impossible.
James O’Neil / DigitalVision Collection via Getty Images
The easiest path to the lakes still requires a seven-mile hike reaching 4,400 feet elevation. And that’s just to get to one of the lakes.
James O’Neil / DigitalVision Collection via Getty Images
The Washington Trails Association says the best way to experience The Enchantment Lakes is by securing a rare overnight pass and taking your time to camp and hike through them. But a motivated and able hiker can see one lake in-and-out in a day.
july7th / E+ Collection via Getty Images
Though getting there may be grueling, there’s no parallel to lounging by these pristine, clear waters, feeling as though you’ve been transported to another country.
Image Source / Image Source Collection via Getty Images
Keep an eye out while you’re hiking; this alpine terrain is home to herds of goats who often follow hikers around. Try to keep a distance as these are not domesticated animals.
RyanCSlimakPhoto / iStock / Getty Images Plus Collection via Getty Images
Along your hike to The Enchantment Lakes, you’ll encounter all kinds of terrain: beautiful sprawling meadows, rocky cliffs, and snow-capped mountains. But it will all be worth it for the magic that awaits.
Image Source / Image Source Collection via Getty Images
If anything is worth a difficult and extensive hike through alpine mountains, it’s The Enchantment Lakes. These otherworldly glacier-created bodies of water have a unique magic difficult to find anywhere else. If you’re up for the task (and the mountain goats), you’ll be well rewarded with beautiful views on the other side.
James O’Neil / DigitalVision Collection via Getty Images
july7th / E+ Collection via Getty Images
Image Source / Image Source Collection via Getty Images
RyanCSlimakPhoto / iStock / Getty Images Plus Collection via Getty Images
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: Lower Enchantment Lakes, Washington 98826, USA