The Enchantments
Trail · Washington
Washington's alpine larches turn gold in the first week of October, and the Enchantments' granite basins near Leavenworth are their cathedral. It's a brutal day hike or lottery-permit overnight, but Colchuck Lake delivers the postcard for mortal legs.
Don’t miss
Peak: September 25–October 15
Climatological window from published records. The weather model’s elevation extrapolation isn’t reliable on this terrain, so this is the long-run normal rather than a season-specific forecast.
Source: https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/enchantment-lakes
When to go to The Enchantments
Color here typically peaks between September 25 and October 15. It sits at 7,828 ft, high enough to turn before the valleys do.
It is roughly 71 mi out of Seattle.
The Enchantments on the map
Drag the date slider to see when color reaches this corner of Washington, or tap a pin for that stop’s own peak window.
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Frequently asked
- When does The Enchantments peak?
- In a typical year, color peaks around September 25–October 15. The weather model's elevation extrapolation isn't reliable on this terrain, so this is a climatological window (source: https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/enchantment-lakes) rather than a season-specific forecast.
- How do I get to The Enchantments?
- The closest city is Seattle, about 71 mi away. It's part of Washington's fall lineup.
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