The Enchantments · Snow Lakes to Colchuck
Snow Lakes Trailhead to Stuart Lake Trailhead
The Route
Forest approach from the lower Snow Creek valley.
- Snow Lakes TrailheadEastern start on Icicle Road
- Nada & Snow LakesClimb the eastern approach
- Lake Viviane & CoreContinue through the lake basins
- Aasgard PassLeave the upper basin westward
- Colchuck LakeDescend the western approach
- Stuart Lake TrailheadFinish on FR 7601; separate from start
Snow Lakes Approach
The trail crosses Icicle Creek and climbs switchbacks into the Snow Creek valley. Forest, creek crossings and talus lead to Nada Lake and then Snow Lakes. A masonry spillway connects the Snow Lakes shores; its water coverage changes with the season.
Snow Lakes to Lake Viviane
The connection above Upper Snow Lake includes rough granite and scrambling sections before Lake Viviane. Snow Lakes itself is a lower destination: reaching the core Enchantments adds substantial climbing beyond the lake-only hike.
Upper & Lower Basins
From Aasgard, the route passes Tranquil and Isolation Lakes, then Inspiration, Perfection and Leprechaun before Lake Viviane. Bare granite and scree in the upper basin give way to meadows and larch stands lower down. Side trips to surrounding summits are not part of these itinerary totals.
Endpoint & Return
One-way from Snow Lakes Trailhead through the basins, descending Aasgard to Colchuck and exiting at Stuart Lake Trailhead. The 6,500-foot published gain applies to this direction.
Published reference figures for the named itinerary. Source dates and access notices are separate from current terrain observations. Reference Set: 2026-10-23.
Weather
Current forecasts open at the providers below. NWS forecasts describe a terrain grid cell, not an exact summit.
Access
Snow Lakes Trailhead, Washington · Leavenworth
Start & Finish
Start at Snow Lakes trailhead on Icicle Road and finish at Stuart Lake trailhead on FR 7601. This is a one-way traverse between separate parking areas.
Day & Overnight Permits
May 15–October 31: day permits are free and self-issued; overnight permits are quota-controlled.
Parking Authorization
Day visitors need a Northwest Forest Pass. Overnight permits include a parking pass valid for their dates.
Camp Zones & Groups
Camp in the permit zone; Core permits allow any zone. Groups: eight maximum. No dogs.
Approach Road
The Stuart/Colchuck trailhead is reached by FR 7601, which has a typical winter closure. Snow Lakes trailhead is on Icicle Road; current gate notices determine the actual access date.
Source information checked 2026-10-23. Road snapshots are dated separately.
Reports
Core Enchantments Trip Reports
Dated reports for core basins and traverses. Match the direction and furthest point to this itinerary.
Colchuck Approach Reports
Lower western-approach reports may stop at Colchuck Lake without reaching Aasgard Pass.
Snow Lakes Approach Reports
Eastern-approach reports may end at Snow Lakes without reaching Lake Viviane or the core.
Itinerary Reference
Published descriptions distinguish both traverse directions and the two long out-and-back itineraries.
Links open the publishers’ report pages. Reports are not automatically imported or filtered to a forecast date.