Washington Larch Timing: Historical Windows + How to Pick Your Week

Updated: September 2025

Larch season is short, sweet, and stair-stepped by elevation. Rather than guessing week by week, this guide uses historical windows to help you pick your trip dates—and a simple strategy to pivot if a zone runs early or late. I’ll also keep a Real-Time Notes section (starting 3rd week of September) updated with quick observations as the season unfolds.

Table of Contents

How to use this guide

Choose your week using the historical windows below.
Pick your zone to match that week (WA-20 high basins tend to go first; Enchantments & Sawtooths usually follow).
Fine-tune the day based on weather and elevation: colder nights + higher basins = earlier gold.

Quick rule: Go 1,000–2,000 ft higher (or shift to south aspects) to find earlier color; drop elevation or switch to north aspects for later color.

Historical timing (typical ranges, not a live forecast)

These windows reflect the average of the past several years. Storms, cold snaps, and heat can shift things by a few days either way.

WA-20 High Basins (Washington Pass area)

Maple Pass, Blue Lake, Cutthroat/Liberty Bell, Wing Lake basin

First hints: ~Sept 22–27
Prime: ~Sept 29–Oct 8
Fade: ~Oct 10–15

Why go: Huge ridgelines, easy access off the highway, reliable early show.

Teanaway / Stuart Range West

Lake Ingalls & Headlight Basin, Esmeralda

First hints: ~Sept 28–Oct 3
Prime: ~Oct 5–15
Fade: ~Oct 16–20

Why go: Big granite + goat sightings; classic golden bowls with Mount Stuart views.

Chelan–Sawtooths (East of the crest)

Cooney, Crater, Eagle, Sunrise Lakes

First hints: ~Sept 28–Oct 4
Prime: ~Oct 6–14
Fade: ~Oct 15–20

Why go: Massive color with fewer crowds than WA-20; excellent shoulder-season light.

Enchantments Core & Approaches

Colchuck, Aasgard, Upper/Lower Enchantments

First hints: ~Oct 1–6 (upper basins first)
Prime: ~Oct 7–15
Fade: ~Oct 16–2

Why go: The PNW’s most concentrated larch + granite spectacle—when permits/conditions align.

Note: Western larch at lower, drier elevations runs later than subalpine larch above treeline. Aspect matters: south-facing = earlier, north-facing = later.

Where to go (by vibe)

Big ridgeline views: Cutthroat Pass (WA-20)
Short, high-reward: Blue Lake (WA-20)
Iconic granite & goats: Lake Ingalls / Headlight Basin (Teanaway)
Photographers’ dream: Wing Lake viewpoint above Lewis (WA-20 zone)
Shoreline larches & quieter vibes: Cooney Lake (Chelan–Sawtooths) — (Crater or Eagle Lakes are great alternates)
All-in alpine: Enchantments thru-route or overnights (permit required)

For deeper planning inspo:
• Best Golden Larch Hikes in Washington
• Best Fall Hikes in Washington
• Washington Backcountry Permit System
• 10 Best Backpacking Trips
• 18 Easy Scenic Day Hikes Near Seattle (great conditioning)

Trip-day strategy (that actually works)

Start at sunrise. Best light, firm snow/ice if present, easier parking.
Carry microspikes when overnight lows flirt with freezing—shady gullies and slabby granite get slick.
Have a Plan B close by. If Maple Pass is socked in, pivot to Blue Lake or Cutthroat. If Ingalls is early, head higher (upper Headlight Basin) or slide to WA-20.
Mind the road. Late-season gates/rough roads can change access—check recent reports.

Passes, pets, permits (quick guide)

National Parks (Rainier, Olympic): Entrance fee or America the Beautiful annual pass; no pets on trails.
USFS trailheads (I-90, MLH, much of WA-20 outside park): Northwest Forest Pass (or America the Beautiful).
State Parks / DNR / WDFW lots: Often Discover Pass.
Enchantments: Overnight permits by lottery; day hikes don’t need the overnight permit just a self issued permit at the trailhead.
Dog Mountain (spring only): Usually requires a timed permit/shuttle during peak bloom.
Peak season systems: Some destinations use timed entry/parking—always check the official site before you roll.

More details: Washington Backcountry Permit System → thetrekkingmama.com/outdoor-guides/washingtons-backcountry-lottery-permit-system/

Gear & safety for shoulder season

Warm layers + wind shell (temps swing hard in October).
Traction (microspikes), headlamp, and dry socks.
Navigation (GPX + paper backup). Early snow can obscure cairns and bootpacks.
Leave No Trace: Stay on rock/durable surfaces, filter water, and never bend/break branches for photos.

Photography tips (without trampling the meadows)

Golden hour (30–60 min after sunrise / before sunset) makes larch color pop.
Polarizer helps control glare on lakes and wet granite.
Step back, zoom in from rock/durable ground rather than wading into fragile heather.

FAQs

When should I book my larch trip if I’m flying in?

If you want one window for the most zones, aim for Oct 3–12 and keep your trail plan flexible across WA-20 / Teanaway / Chelan–Sawtooths. Enchantments often align inside that window, too.

What if my chosen hike is past prime?
Slide 500–1,500 ft down or swap to a north-facing basin. Later in the month, consider western larch at lower elevations on the east side.

Are larches the only fall color show?
Nope—huckleberry and heather turn incredible reds, especially around WA-20 and I-90 ridgelines. See: Best Fall Hikes in Washington (link above).

Wrap-Up: Catch the gold, skip the guesswork

Use the historical windows to pick your week, then let weather + elevation pick your day. If one zone feels early or faded, pivot up or down 1–2k feet or change aspects and you’ll usually find the glow.

If you’re new to larch chasing, start with reliable classics (Ingalls, Blue Lake, Maple Pass), aim for weekday sunrise starts, and toss microspikes in when nights dip below freezing. Please tread lightly—Washington’s alpine meadows are fragile, and we all want this magic to last.

I’ll keep the Real-Time Notes section updated as I see conditions. If you spot color, share a quick note in the comments or tag me at @the.trekking.mama—community intel helps everyone. 🌲✨

Plan more fall adventures:

• Best Golden Larch Hikes in Washington
• Best Fall Hikes in Washington
• 10 Best Backpacking Trips in Washington
• Washington Backcountry Permit System