Perfection Falls

Perfection Falls is found at the immediate inlet of Perfection Lake in the Enchantment Lakes Basin in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness just outside of Leavenworth. There are two primary routes into the Enchantments, both of which are long enough and strenuous enough that day hiking is discouraged for all but the strongest hikers. From the Snow Creek trailhead, located about 4.25 miles south of Highway 2 in Leavenworth along the Icicle Creek Road, it's just over 11 miles and 5800 feet of elevation gain along the Snow Creek Trail to Perfection Lake, or if starting from the Stuart Lake trailhead, about a 7.5 mile hike via Colchuck Lake, Aasgard Pass (aka Colchuck Pass) and the Snow Creek Trail - which will involve 4600 feet of gain followed by almost 1000 feet of loss - to reach the same point where the falls are visible near the outlet of Perfection Lake. Additionally, be aware that between June 15th and October 15th, special issue permits are needed for all travel into the Enchantment Lakes area regardless of whether you plan on camping or just day hiking. Contact the Wenatchee National Forest ranger station in Leavenworth for more information.Perfection Falls is the first significant waterfall found along Snow Creek as it tumbles through the Enchantments on its way down to join Icicle Creek near Leavenworth. The falls occur between Inspiration and Perfection Lakes in the Enchantment Lakes Basin and are easily visible from the Snow Creek trail where it wraps around the north end of Perfection Lake. The falls drop in two distinct steps, first sliding down an incline for about 20 feet, and then running through a fractured outcrop and splitting into multiple channels which plunge directly into Perfection Lake in a very fountain-like display. Though Snow Creek is a perennial stream fed by the ever dwindling Snow Creek Glaciers, as well as a half dozen signifiant lakes in the upper Enchantment Basin, the volume of water present in the creek where the falls occur will diminish significantly as the seasons progress. Heavy snow during the winter will ensure the falls are quite rambunctious during the first half of the summer, but by September the volume drops considerably and the falls become much less visually impactful.