Alpine Lakes Wilderness: Okanogan-Wenatchee
The Alpine Lakes Wilderness is located in the Central Cascades Region of Washington state and is jointly administered by the Okanogan-Wenatchee and Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forests.
The popular Alpine Lakes Wilderness encompasses approximately 394,000 acres with 47 trailheads and 615 miles of trails. The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail (PCT) enters from Stevens Pass on the north to follow the crest south, with a long westward bend to Snoqualmie Pass, a distance of 67 trail miles.
More than 700 lakes and mountain ponds dot the glacier-carved terrain of this wilderness. Tree covered valleys give way to rocky ridges and rugged peaks along the crest of the Cascades. Many peaks and slopes are permanently cloaked in snowfields. From wet forests of Douglas fir, cedar, and an understory of salal and berries, to firs and mountain hemlock, the landscape opens up to expansive meadows matted with low growth and ends with dry forestland of ponderosa pine and grasses.
The Enchantment Lakes area contains the Cashmere Crags, which rate among the best rock-climbing sites in the western United States. Some of the names may cause you to think twice before heading up: Bloody Tower, Cruel Thumb, Cynical Pinnacle or Crocodile Fang. Dozens of solid granite spires offer routes as long as 1,500 feet.
Before you plan to visit check with the Wenatchee River Ranger District in Leavenworth, WA (509) 548-2550 or the Cle Elum Ranger District in Cle Elum, WA (509) 852-1100 for current conditions and restrictions.
Enchantment Permit Area contact Wenatchee River Ranger District (509) 548-2550.
Active Alerts
General Information
Note: Alpine Lakes Wilderness is impacted by nearly 150,000 visitors each year, many with little understanding of Wilderness ethics. In order to preserve the integrity of the Wilderness it has become necessary to impose additional restrictions in many areas. Help protect your wilderness by following wilderness regulations and using Leave No Trace principles.
Topo Maps
Bandera, Big Jim Mountain, Big Snow Mountain, Blewett, Cashmere Mountain, Chikamin Peak, Chiwaukum Mountains, Davis Peak, Enchantment Lakes, Grotto, Jack Ridge, Lake Philippa, Leavenworth, Mount Daniel, Mount Howard, Mount Phelps, Mount Si, Mount Stuart, Polallie Ridge, Scenic, Skykomish, Snoqualmie Lake, Snoqualmie Pass, Stevens Pass, The Cradle. Download free U.S. Forest Service Topo maps.
Buy maps online
Go to the National Forest Store.
Wilderness.net
Go to Wilderness.net for online maps and other important Wilderness information.
Camping: An overnight reservation permit is required from May 15 to October 31 for entry to the Enchantments Area. Alpine Lakes Enchantments overnight permit information.
Day use: Wilderness Permits are required for day-hiking within the reservation area and are available on a self-issue basis at trailheads.
Parking: Some trailheads require a valid recreation pass (Northwest Forest Pass or America the Beautiful Pass)
Wilderness regulations apply. See: Alpine Lakes Wilderness Regulations Booklet (PDF File)
Getting There
Directions
Trailheads that access Alpine Lakes Wilderness:
- Blackpine Trailhead - access to Blackjack Ridge Trail #1565
- Chatter Creek Trailhead - access to Chatter Creek Trail #1580
- Chiwaukum Creek Trailhead - access to Chiwaukum Creek Trail #1571
- Eightmile Trailhead - access to Eightmile Lake Trail #1552 and Eightmile - Trout Creek Trail #1554
- Esmeralda Trailhead - access to Ingalls Way Trail #1390
- Hatchery Creek Trailhead - access to Hatchery Creek Trail #1577
- Icicle Creek Trailhead - access to Icicle Creek Trail #1551
- Icicle Ridge Trailhead - access to Icicle Ridge Trail #1570
- Ingalls Creek Trailhead - access to Ingalls Creek Trail #1215
- Jack Trout Trailhead - access to Trout Creek Trail #1555, Jack Ridge Trail #1557, Jack Creek Trail #1558
- Lake Ethel Trailhead - access to Lake Ethel Trail #1585
- Pacific Crest Trail/Snoqualmie Pass Trailhead - access to Pacific Crest Trail
- Pete Lake Trailhead - access to Pete Lake Trail #1323
- Rachel Lake Trailhead - access to Rachel Lake Trail #1313
- Salmon la Sac - access to Waptus River Trail #1310
- Snow Lakes Trailhead - access to Snow Lakes Trail #1553
- Stuart Lake Trailhead - access to Stuart Lake Trail #1599
- Tucquala Meadows Trailhead - access to Trail Creek Trail #1322, Deception Pass Trail #1376
- White Pine Trailhead - access to White Pine Creek Trail #1582 and Wildhorse Creek Trail #1592
See also:
- Mt. Baker Snoqualmie National Forest - Alpine Lakes Wilderness information
