The Enchantments

The Enchantments is a high alpine region in Washington’s Cascade Range, southwest of Leavenworth in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, known for its dense concentration of lakes, granite peaks, and dramatic shifts from forest to bare alpine terrain. Yakima, Chinook, and Wenatchi people long traveled and lived in and around these mountains before later logging and mining altered the surrounding country. Its present name grew from A. H. Sylvester’s description of the lakes, while climbers and Bill and Peg Stark helped shape many of the area’s later place names. Heavy visitation eventually led to protections, including permits and other limits, to preserve this fragile environment.

Washington · United States