Day Hike! Central Cascades, 3rd Edition: The Best Trails You Can Hike in a Day

Starting from the Stuart Lake trailhead, follow the route to Colchuck Lake. From the end of the trail at the far end of the lake, cross boulders around the shore under the terminal moraine of the Colchuck Glacier the trail may disappear at times, but cairns usually mark the way. After passing by a particularly tall boulder, the trail skirts a sandy beach and begins snaking through subalpine firs and creek beds.

Reward Yourself

Soon after, the route begins climbing steeply over jumbled talus; this is the start of Aasgard Pass. Stay to the left to avoid much steeper, impassable terrain. Around the grove, the route hugs the sheer rock opposite Dragontail Peak the dark imposing pyramid that blocks out most of the sky to your right when looking uphill , before traveling through a section of loose rock and scree. Views are simply awesome throughout the ascent, stretching from nearby Colchuck Peak and the aquamarine of Colchuck Lake to Glacier Peak and Mount Baker in the distance.

After crossing a branch of the creek, the route steepens again, becoming a hands-and-feet scramble through stunted larches. The final third of the climb is over large boulders, finally topping out at 7, feet. These are the Upper Enchantments. The lakes in this section sit in a stark moonscape of rock, scree and ice below the long ridge culminating in the summit of Dragontail Peak, just above the pass. The trail snakes its way through grey lichen-covered rocks along the shores of Tranquil and Isolation Lakes before dropping steadily to the broad plateau beneath Little Annapurna so named for its resemblance to the much taller Nepalese peak.

Beneath Little Annapurna, the barren rock gives way to a lusher alpine meadow, where the creek connecting the lakes meanders gently before tipping into a deeper channel and speeding downhill. The first larches appear as the plateau ends abruptly in expansive views over Crystal Lake and the Ingalls Creek valley below. The trail now heads east and down a steep draw to Inspiration Lake. This azure pool tucked deep in a basin below Enchantment Peak marks the beginning of the Middle Enchantments. Inspiration is perhaps the most dramatic of the lakes, with granite rising steeply on three sides and a stand of larches on the opposite shore.

The trail proceeds through these larches before dropping a short distance down to Perfection Lake. As you descend to the shore, you pass through tall larches whose ages are most likely measured in multiple centuries. The top of the lake is shallow and perfectly clear. The trail passes through gentle meadows of grass and heather and over carved inlets leading from Prusik Pass a side trail runs up to this saddle below Prusik Peak, yielding even more jaw-dropping views and continues along the eastern shore.

The view back across the water reveals a stair-step wall of granite over which the main creek cascades down to the lake. A short while later, the trail climbs slightly and rounds the corner to Sprite Lake, connected to Perfection by a narrow slot of white water. The view back upstream, of Little Annapurna towering above a small island in Perfection Lake, is one of the best in the Enchantments. Further down the trail, a descent along the fast-flowing creek ushers you out of the Middle Enchantments.

But most people are day-hikers, who occasionally backpack. For those of us who like to cherry-pick trails, ratings simplify our task. In addition to helpful topographical maps, the guides feature elevation profiles — an inspired addition! Part of Day Hike!

The Enchantments — Washington Trails Association

Also in Day Hike! Also by Mike McQuaide. See all books by Mike McQuaide. Inspired by Your Browsing History.

Day Hike! North Cascades, 3rd Edition

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The Last Good Year. You can also opt to take the Willamette Pass Gondola to the trail. This trail is a fun way to put yourself in their shoes and imagine what the coast was like back in the s. Start at the trailhead located in Ecola State Park. Best hike for hot springs: Best hike for birding: Zumwalt Prairie Preserve Enterprise, Northeast Oregon Zumwalt Prairie has one of the highest concentrations of breeding hawks and eagles in the world and is the largest remaining grassland of its kind in North America. Most of the preserve is closed to hikers, but a few short trails give you access to viewing sites.

Best hike for people who are alter-abled: Oregon Garden Resort Willamette Valley The Oregon Garden is a treasure for those who are interested in flowers and plants of the northwest. The Garden can be explored by foot or by tram, making this an ideal destination for those who have limited mobility. Where Search by address, place, or your current location. When she isn't sending visitors out on adventures throughout the region, she is pursuing her passion for outdoor recreation.

From bicycling and hiking to snowboarding, she is always in search of the next epic excursion. She has called Oregon home since and thrives on finding new favorites around the state.

She's always eager to share her expert advice and help others plan their trips. Featured in this story.

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