Little Annapurna is a 24.6 mile out and back trail located near Leavenworth, Washington that features a lake and is rated as difficult. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from July until October.
Little Annapurna is one of the trademark peaks of the fabled Enchantment Lakes area and one of the most frequently climbed mountains in the state. The views from Little Annapurna are breathtaking. Facing south, you can get a great view of Mt. Rainier on clear days while at night, if you spend it camped out near Lil Annapurna's summit, you get great views of the lights of Wenatchee to the east and the headlights of vehicles moving on I-90 to the south. Facing west, you get a really great perspective of Mt. Stuart and Dragontail Peak. There's a flat area large enough to pitch a tent near the summit and it makes a grand camping spot.
Icy in spots, especially in non-afternoon hours. If Little Anna or the core zone is your destination I would recommend looking at the Stuart lake trailhead start. Aasgard pass is the main problem area there, but this route also has some difficult spots between Snow Lakes and Lake Vivian (especially with ice on the rocks) and it is a lot more miles. We substituted McClellan Peak for Little Anna. Some exposed snow climbing, used ice axes, microspikes, mountaineering boots.
It was a perfect fall day and the Enchantments never disappoint. Went up Asgard and then straight up to Little Annapurna. No snow from last week left, all clear. Drop down the back side of Annapurna to Crystal Lake and around it on the goat trail to Perfection Lake. Back up and out to Asgard, then down and out to my car. The scene was the craziest I’ve ever seen for Enchantments. Totally nuts. Trailheads jammed with cars for miles. Coming out from Perfection Lake I must have passed at least 300 people, maybe more. Don’t go on a Saturday
First half I was in heaven, mile 15 I wanted off the mountain already
Hiked this on 09/28. Quick detour on the thru-hike. When you hit Isolation lake, search on the right for boot prints/cairns. Its fully snow covered - so you need microspikes and routefinding skills. Have the Alltrails map downloaded. The snow is soft so its just a simple post-hole climb. While climbing down there is an easy route (not the same as going up) which you can plunge step. The summit was slightly underwhelming as it was a flat summit and you don't have 360 degree views. Could see Rainier, Adams, Glacier, North Cascades and maybe Baker too. Be careful of post-holing between boulders - can sprain your ankle.
Some slick snow at the top of aasgard- technical but not dangerous. Climbed without microspikes but would have been easier with. Decided not to attempt Little Annapurna because too much snow. Fresh snow in the upper basin and larches are turning. This week is probably the best of the year. But, be prepared to hike in or out in the dark
Started the through hike at 5:15am, weather was great until halfway through Aasgards Pass. Lots of wind and snow at the top of the pass all the way through Leprechaun Lake. Slow moving down the rest of the trail, finally finished at 1:30am
Attempted on 9/6 - Began at Snow Lake Trail Head. Please Read this Disclaimer: The trail on All Trails starts at Snow Lake Trail Head. Another route, which I believe is more pleasant and is not the route on All Trails, begins at Colchuck Trail Head. The Colchuck route will take you up Aasgard pass. Pay attention to the differences in reviews based on the starting location. Parking lot: We arrived around 7:30 and the parking lot was essentially full. I believe we took the last spot. Since we arrived on Saturday morning, some of the cars were possibly from campers the day before. However, when we were ending our hike at night, swe saw quite a few cars pulling into the parking lot. Potentially to pick people up or sleep in the parking lot the night before their hike. Hike: This hike will kick your ass. Essentially, it’s like climbing two mountains back to back.
Good trail. Well marked. Clocked 9 hrs 30 mins and took lots of breaks and pictures. Asguard pass very windy and cold on top. Bring a windbreaker.