The Enchantments Traverse
$750 | September 12-14, 2025 | 2 of 12 spots left!!
“May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds.”
Schedule
Friday: Arrive in Leavenworth.
Saturday: 5 am shuttle to Stuart Lake trailhead. Hike will take approximately 15 hours.
Sunday: Depart Leavenworth after 11am check out.
*more details to come
Adventures:
Sim D. Ruthanne H. Dacey T. Phoebe C. Laxmi K. Lydia K. Kassie S. Laura K-D. Ahsley H. Stacey L.
Route
Thru-Hiking
With a car and a shuttle, one can hike point-to-point from one trailhead to the other and transit between the two. The thru-hike is typically done from the Stuart Lake trailhead, because it reduces the total elevation gain by 2,600 feet relative to going the opposite direction (although it still takes in the punishing climb up Aasgard Pass, which rises 1,900 feet in less than a mile). Pick your poison. I have done it both directions and coming down Aasgard is not for the faint of heart!
Hike Details
21+ miles point to point
5,000+ GAIN
7,000- LOSS
The first 6 miles you will gain over 3,ooo feet, the last mile of this being 1,900 up Aasgard Pass. Three miles will traverse through the Core Enchantments. Mile 8-10 have decent elevation loss scrambling down large rock surfaces. Miles 10-13 are somewhat easy on the knees and from mile 13 to the end its Aaaaalllll downhill!
Criteria & Pricing
You must be able to hike UP Dog Mountain in under 1:40. This is imperative for a group effort of this magnitude that your physical fitness is at this level. If you live outside the Portland area, we will assess your hiking repertoire!
$250 Due at time of booking (non-refundable)
$500 Due Aug 1st (non-refundable, but IS transferable)
Included
TRAINING PLAN
Local opportunities leading up to this hike are as follows:
*Every Wednesday 6:45-7:30am—Summer Stairs at Doc Harris Stadium (Serpentine Stairs at max output for 3 mins with a one min recovery. Repeat for 30 mins) Address:1125 NE 22nd AVE Camas, WA 98607
*July 19th- Forest Park Pittock Mansion via UPPER Macleay to Hoyt Arboretum on Wildwood Trail (Appx 8 miles/1500 gain) Address: PUBLIC PARKING LOT 4073 NW Cornell Road Portland, OR 97210
*July23rd-Moulton Falls to Bells Mountain. Hill repeats at max output (1.2 miles up/600 gain, 600 loss) Repeat as many as possible in 1.5 hours. Address: 28301 Sunset Falls Road, Yacolt WA 98675 (Upper Parking Lot)
Other suggested training plans for those who do not live local or aren’t able to participate in these opportunities:
For cardio threshold stamina—find the steepest hill you live near and walk up/jog down at max effort. Find a hill that may take 5-10 min to walk up with 2-5 mins to jog down. Start at 30 mins of repeats, working up to at least 60 mins. Use a timer for each repeat. Your goal is to bring time down week by week. Same perceived exertion and aiming for max cardio effort. As power and stamina increase, your overall time will get faster…..even though it will still feel just as hard!
For cardio threshold HIIT—find a set of stairs, in a stadium or in a neighborhood. Jog/double time stairs UP and DOWN for 2-3 mins at max effort with one min of recovery between each set. Start with 4 sets, adding an additional set of stairs each week. You should be gassed at the end of each set, earning that one min break. If you aren’t gassed then make the next set harder. Double time or go faster.
For cardio endurance and time on your legs—find a hike in the neighborhood of 10 miles. Preferably with some inclines so your knees, back, glutes and quads will get used to the repetitive load being put on them.
Short hikes are great, but for the steep ascents, decents and elevation of these hikes, the STAIR and HILL repeats are going to really boost your overall cardio output!
If neither of these options are available to you, I suggest a stair master or a treadmill. Starting at a level one…every min add another level. Follow the same format as mentioned above for HIIT and STAMINA.
Guided Climb
2 nights lodging in Leavenworth (2 double beds x 4 ppl per room)
Reserved Shuttle to Trailhead
Dinner Saturday after hike
Breakfast Sunday
Hiking Checklist
Not Included
Transportation to and from Leavenworth
Meals other than stated above