The Enchantments Larch March

The Enchantments, nestled in the heart of Washington's Cascade Mountains, are renowned for their dramatic peaks, pristine alpine lakes and rugged terrain. But for a few short weeks in the fall, another sight takes center stage: larches. The otherworldly beauty of The Enchantments gets set aglow as larch trees transform.

What makes the larch trees enchanting is their ability to hide in plain sight; their usual green needles suddenly begin to turn, like a mood ring shifting color. Larches are deciduous conifers, shedding their needles in the fall. As winter descends, it’s like an internal alarm goes off. Their needles (which feel soft to the touch) light up the landscape in vibrant yellows and golds, accentuating the jagged granite peaks. Then their needles fall and litter the snowy ground.

Larches only grow in the high alpine (usually above 6,000 feet), so getting to them can be quite a challenge. I think it adds to their splendor though. The elusive beauties make you work to stand among them. You’ll have to brave steep climbs, rocky trails and thigh-burning elevation gain. But – it’s worth it!

The Enchantments’ through hike is not for the faint of heart (you can read my guide below if you're planning the trek), but it’s one of the best larch hikes in Washington. Unless you’re lucky enough to snag a camping permit that is. Then you can enjoy the enchanting views for days without the 22-mile slog. Thousands apply every year, and only a select few actually win the lottery though. I still can’t believe we got a permit during larch madness. We hit an almost perfect weather window and got to see the mountainsides covered in glowing larches. We stayed for three nights in the Core and explored as much of the area as we could. It was freezing and breezy at night, but it was an experience I’ll never forget.

Permits in the Core area of The Enchantments is coveted – I think the stats are pretty stark. I’ve heard only around 6% of the people who apply for a permit get one. 

My favorite places to see the Larches in the Core area are Inspiration Lake, Perfection Lake and Lake Viviane. My tip for hikers if you’re aiming for the Core is to make your way all the way through. If you climb up Aasgard, go down toward Lake Viviane and then come back through. Personally, I hate the hike out from Snow Lake, so I’d go back down Aasgard Pass.

The Enchantments are one of the best places in the Pacific Northwest to see larches, but there are other trails that offer similar splendor. I’ve included a list below.

• Blue Lake
• Cutthroat Lake
• Clara and Marion Lakes
• Lake Ingalls
• Goat Peak Lookout