Jun 17, 2025 – Oct 4, 2025
Welcome to our Enchantments Hiking Series! I’m thrilled to have you join us for this exciting adventure through one of the most beautiful and challenging hiking destinations in the Pacific Northwest, also often referred to as Dolomites of America. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or new to the trails, this event is designed to help you prepare and enjoy the experience to the fullest, one hike at a time!
About the enchantments:
The Enchantments are known for their stunning alpine scenery, crystal-clear lakes, and rugged terrain. This hike is challenging, with significant elevation gain.
- Distance: Approximately 18 – 21 miles (one-way thru-hike)
- Elevation Gain: Around 4,500 -5000 feet
- Duration: 12- 16 hours (depending on pace and breaks
- Terrain: Rocky, uneven paths, with some steep sections and potential snow patches
- Weather: Can vary greatly; be prepared for sun, wind, rain, and possibly snow
Did I hear you say - “Wow, that sounds like a lot. What’s the plan, how will we tackle this challenge?”
Well, I have a plan and I got you!
The plan
To prepare for this, we will prepare to slowly work towards trails with similar mileage, elevation and terrain.
- Progressive Hikes: We’ll start with easier trails and gradually challenge ourselves with longer and steeper hikes each week.
- Skill Building: Learn essential hiking techniques, pacing strategies, and trail safety along the way.
- Community & Support: Hike with like-minded adventurers who will encourage and motivate each other throughout the journey.
We know this works, because we recently concluded Mt Si, where we trained similarly and were able to hit the trail with confidence and finish it in good time. So trust me, this works!
Tentative training schedule
| Series No. | Date | Hike |
| 1 | Jun 14 | Pratt Connector Trail + Stegosaurus Butte |
| 2 | Jun 28 | Scrambling training |
| 3 | Jul 12 | Elevation training |
| 4 | Jul 26 | Elevation training |
| 5 | Aug 9 | Endurance training |
| 6 | Aug 23 | Training hike |
| 7 | Sep 6 | Training hike |
| 8 | Sep 20 | Training hike |
| 9 (Final) | Oct 4 | The Enchantments |
Cost
For the whole series: $170
For a single hike: $30
As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me directly if you have any questions or concerns.
Hope you’ll join us on this adventure! See you on the trails!
FAQ
What is the plan on the day of Enchantments thru hike?
Day 0: We leave on the day before the hiking day. Spend a night near Enchantments in our reserved stay.
Day 1: Start hiking the next day at 5 am. Finish the hike and return to our stay and relax the rest of the night.
Day 2: Return to Seattle the next day
Will we be camping before the hike, would I have to book a hotel?
We are doing a thru‑hike. We have booked a reservation of 8 people. The earlier you confirm, your spot will be reserved.
Will we be able to finish the hike within daylight, especially since days are a bit shorter in October?
We will need to use our headlamps in the beginning and towards the end of our hike.
Do I need to do other workouts to be prepared or are the fortnightly hikes sufficient?
The above hiking plan helps us training our body and mind for tackling the Enchantments Challenge. Having said that, this alone is not sufficient. Depending on individual, we will need to work on certain aspects such as protein intake, sleep, lower body workouts. We can discuss this over a call or on the trail.
Do I need to get my own permit?
Not required.
Can I join the series even if I don’t plan on doing the Enchantments, in other words, am I required to hike the Enchantments?
You can join the series even if you are not planning to hike Enchantments. The basic requirement is your commitment. As long as you are able to show up for the hikes and are able to keep up with our training pace, you are good. After all, journey is always more interesting than the destination.
What is the group size?
We will have a minimum of 4 up to a maximum of 15.
Which side are we going to enter from – Snow lake or Colchuck lake?
Colchuck lake entrance, Snow Lake exit.
I’ve heard the Aasgard Pass is really steep, can a beginner manage it?
Depends. If you are in a good shape and attends our training series with full commitment, you will be able to answer this question for yourself. Aasgard pass isn’t a joke. With regular and consistent training, we can do it! 🙂
I have never hiked before, can I do the enchantments?
Depends. Start with a single hike and see how you feel. If you are not feeling the improvement or you are not confident, you can decide for yourself.
Every challenging task requires a start somewhere sometime. 🙂
Who should NOT be hiking the Enchantments?
People who have weak lower body (knees, ankles), fear of heights.
We will be hiking in remote areas where rescue takes time although not impossible. Be a good judge of your abilities and limitations. I am happy to help you if you have questions.
Can I bring my dog along?
Not on this hike.
