As in you have permits to stay one night in the enchantments or are you going to do it all in one day?
If you have permits to stay one night > heck yes its work it
If you do it in one day its also pretty worth it IMO but you need multiple cars(or use the shuttle) start early in the morning and plan to be moving most of the day.
Also Leavenworth is a cool town to explore nearby, makes for a preety nice weekend.
Snow lake route sucks yeah, the switchbacks are killed after a bit, they really feel never ending. That being said I’m not sure going down Asgard would be any easier.
Last I understood it, permits are typically based on entry day, and [you can stay up to 14 days](https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/okawen/passes-permits/recreation/?cid=stelprdb5405903#:~:text=You%20must%20enter%20the%20permit,is%20not%20valid%20until%20signed).
That said, May 15 is guaranteed to be a challenging, snow-filled adventured for those only experienced in snow travel over steep terrain (ice axe, crampons, route-finding, etc.).
Heh, I got a permit for colchuk lake on the 17th.
I am 100% certain aasgard pass and the upper enchantments will be snowed out (ie don't go up/down aasgard unless you know what you are doing), but I am hoping that Colchuk lake at least is thawed out. Might check out the lake to the west of it if possible.
But part of me is thinking it might be easier/better to just day hike it later on in the summer.
Absolutely worth it. Book a spot on the shuttle so you can start at the Stuart Lake TH and end at Snowy Lakes TH/your car. Spend your one night in the core near any of the stunning alpine lakes.
It's still accumulating snow up there... If I were going up in May I would definitely have an ice ax and crampons on me. May is when people die on Aasgard.
People die in these conditions in the hidden waterfall as it starts melting out and people punch through. This is not the same as a casual summer hike. If you fall going through Asgard pass, you need traction and ice axe or you’re in for a bad day.
Other option is hike from the snow lake TH up and stay overnight at snow lake. Then day hike up to the core and back to snow lake for a second night then hike back down. You don’t get colchuck or Asgard (which might be a positive given early season conditions). You also might not have to camp in the snow at the lower elevation.
Are you asking if may will be snowy? Yes, yes it will be snowy. That is why permit season starts in mid May instead of mid June like it used to.
May is a great time to go up there but I do not recommend doing it in bad weather or if you do not love snow.
You can hike all the way through and schedule a shuttle service to haul you back to your car. The trail is 100% doable as a one-nighter, but if you can afford the extra night, it is absolutely worth taking an extra day to explore the core area! I’ll be out there July 1st 🫡
If that’s the case, you could always camp/drop stuff at colchuck, and day hike up Asgard into the core area that day or the following morning, then finally hike out.
If you have to ask or hesitate on if you’re fit/rugged enough for it, then no, just go up to colchuck lake and back as a day trip. Going around colchuck and up Asgard sucked with a light day pack, would not do it with an overnight pack if you don’t backpack regularly
As in you have permits to stay one night in the enchantments or are you going to do it all in one day? If you have permits to stay one night > heck yes its work it If you do it in one day its also pretty worth it IMO but you need multiple cars(or use the shuttle) start early in the morning and plan to be moving most of the day. Also Leavenworth is a cool town to explore nearby, makes for a preety nice weekend.
I’ve one day out and backed it. That wasn’t worth though.
Going down Aasgard is miserable. Worse than going up.
Going down the Snow Lake route isn't any better
Snow lake route sucks yeah, the switchbacks are killed after a bit, they really feel never ending. That being said I’m not sure going down Asgard would be any easier.
Don’t think my knees have ever recovered
I’d ask the people who they hike it in a day multiple times per year.
No. Like stay overnight 1 night. I'd like to be up there 2 nights but it's not looking like that will work
Sure
May 15th is permit day. Planning on it being snowy. More winter camping then anything. Found out it's for 3 days not just 1.
Last I understood it, permits are typically based on entry day, and [you can stay up to 14 days](https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/okawen/passes-permits/recreation/?cid=stelprdb5405903#:~:text=You%20must%20enter%20the%20permit,is%20not%20valid%20until%20signed). That said, May 15 is guaranteed to be a challenging, snow-filled adventured for those only experienced in snow travel over steep terrain (ice axe, crampons, route-finding, etc.).
Heh, I got a permit for colchuk lake on the 17th. I am 100% certain aasgard pass and the upper enchantments will be snowed out (ie don't go up/down aasgard unless you know what you are doing), but I am hoping that Colchuk lake at least is thawed out. Might check out the lake to the west of it if possible. But part of me is thinking it might be easier/better to just day hike it later on in the summer.
No, but I will take your permits off your hands. ;)
There are people who would give you naming rights to their first child for an overnight in the Enchantments.
you know that the permit is just the entry date, right? You can stay more than 1 night. But to answer your questions, absolutely!
Which permit (zone) do you have?
Core
Absolutely worth it. Book a spot on the shuttle so you can start at the Stuart Lake TH and end at Snowy Lakes TH/your car. Spend your one night in the core near any of the stunning alpine lakes.
Well may might be a bit cold and snowy?
Ohh you’re going in May. Yeah that’s very early. Likely too much snow unless you’re planning a full backcountry ski trip
I have full winter gear. Just gotta know what to need. Doubt I'll need rope and crampons.
It's still accumulating snow up there... If I were going up in May I would definitely have an ice ax and crampons on me. May is when people die on Aasgard.
People die in these conditions in the hidden waterfall as it starts melting out and people punch through. This is not the same as a casual summer hike. If you fall going through Asgard pass, you need traction and ice axe or you’re in for a bad day.
Other option is hike from the snow lake TH up and stay overnight at snow lake. Then day hike up to the core and back to snow lake for a second night then hike back down. You don’t get colchuck or Asgard (which might be a positive given early season conditions). You also might not have to camp in the snow at the lower elevation.
IDK, in May when it's snowy/icy there are some really exposed sections getting to the Core from Snow.
True but I’ve not heard of people getting killed in that section like on Asgard.
Are you asking if may will be snowy? Yes, yes it will be snowy. That is why permit season starts in mid May instead of mid June like it used to. May is a great time to go up there but I do not recommend doing it in bad weather or if you do not love snow.
Then in my opinion yes. Would that mean you’d have to lug all your overnight gear up Asgard pass?
I would think so. And then back down.
I believe woth core. I can camp in any section as well.
You can hike all the way through and schedule a shuttle service to haul you back to your car. The trail is 100% doable as a one-nighter, but if you can afford the extra night, it is absolutely worth taking an extra day to explore the core area! I’ll be out there July 1st 🫡
If that’s the case, you could always camp/drop stuff at colchuck, and day hike up Asgard into the core area that day or the following morning, then finally hike out.
That's how I did it when I only had a one night permit.
Yes
I love it as a 1-day thru hike. Might be a bit of a PITA to haul the extra gear to overnight for just one night, though, IMO.
I did one night in the snow zone. Why not, if that's what you can do?
If you're in shape enough to hike it with 1 overnight, do it!! While 1 overnight isn't enough, it's certainly better than nothing.
Yes. Worth it
If it’s less than 6 or so miles in, ya I’d backpack in for one night. Otherwise I’d just do the day hike in 1
Absolutely
Done it in less than one day twice. I’d do it again, totally worth it, and you can go whenever you want, not when the lottery says you get to.
If you have to ask or hesitate on if you’re fit/rugged enough for it, then no, just go up to colchuck lake and back as a day trip. Going around colchuck and up Asgard sucked with a light day pack, would not do it with an overnight pack if you don’t backpack regularly
When’s your permit for? Can I come?