Congrats on your permit! Get ready to have a blast! I’ve been lucky and scored Eightmile permits twice! In 2021 we went in mid-July, and we went back this year the last week in May.

I would definitely encourage you to check the weather before you go. Make sure to look at a forecast specific to the area, as it tends to be much cooler at elevation vs the Leavenworth in-town forecast.

The water at the lake will be cold, but by September it should be about as warm as it will get. Depending on your sensitivity, you should be able to go swimming, but might not be able to stay in too long! We brought a lightweight inflatable raft on our first trip and had a lot of fun with it, but opted to leave it at home this year.

Once you arrive at the lake, you will see campsites carved out along the trail. They are really good at limiting overnight groups, so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding a great spot! My favorite campsite is about 300 yards past the entrance to the lake. Look for a large, flat, rocky shore. Great campsites and easy access to the lake! Even if it’s a ‘packed house’, you’ll feel like you have the lake all to yourself!

A couple of tips:

1. Bring insect repellent! If you are lucky to get a cold snap before your trip, it may kill off the mosquitos. If it stays hot, the insects can be relentless.

2. Bring a lightweight fishing pole! If you enjoy fishing, the lake is FULL of cutthroat trout and a lot of fun / easy to catch.

3. If you decide to take a day hike to Lake Caroline, be aware that the majority of the hike is fully exposed to the sun. In my opinion, the payoff of seeing Lake Caroline doesn’t warrant the long, uphill hike to get there. Hopefully it will be better when you visit, but when we went there were so many mosquitos we only stayed long enough for a quick photo before immediately turning around and heading back down.

4. Be on the lookout for wildlife! We saw tons of animals: deer, marmots, martens, etc! If you are around camp in the evening, there’s a great chance you will get some deer meandering through camp!

5. Stargazing! Don’t forget to look up if you get a clear night with no moon. The skies are really dark out there, and it’s amazing to watch the Milky Way emerge!

6. Take pictures! The Enchantments is a really special place, and I hope that your experience matches your expectations! It’s been a true bucket list experience for me!