The Enchantments, located in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness in Washington, is a hiker's paradise. The jagged peaks, Gatorade blue alpine lakes and other-worldly splendor draws crowds every year. It's a bucket list destination for many (myself included). This area is my favorite in all of Washington state - the North Cascades being a very close second.

To camp in the Enchantments, you need to secure a coveted permit, which can be obtained through a lottery system. There's a catch though! The lottery is exactly what it sounds like - thousands enter, and nearly everyone loses. I think I read somewhere (so don't quote me), the odds of scoring a core permit, which means you can camp anywhere throughout the Enchantments, is around 2%. That's not very good odds. Every year, the outdoor community holds their breath, and most of the time, we commiserate together. 

Then, the planning begins.

Since getting a permit is nearly impossible to score, many opt to still go, but they do an absolutely grueling through-hike. From start to finish, the hike is more than 18 miles (I clocked 22 miles when I did it, so expect it to be longer than you thought). You'll also gain around 4,500 feet in elevation if you start at Stuart Lake trailhead. It's worth it though! I would recommend doing this more popular route, Stuart Lake to Snow Lake, because you'll save yourself some elevation. Personally, I also very much dislike the trail from Snow Lake to the core. 

After losing the lottery again and again, I decided (like many do) to just do it. So, I set out on my birthday last year in hopes of finally checking the Enchantments off my hiking bucket list. 

Was it amazing? Yes! Are there things I wish I would have known before going? Also, yes!

Here are a few things I wish I would have known before I went, so you don't make the same mistakes I did. 

When I was a little girl, I loved writing imaginative stories and whimsical (sometimes melancholy) poems. The vibrant, intricate worlds I created in my notebooks were a beautiful escape.  
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I dreamed about being an author.