Crystal Lake in the Enchantments, Washington, United States Sep 3, 2024

Crystal Lake in the Enchantments, Washington, United States

Pictured in today"s image, Crystal Lake is in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness in Washington, United States. The Enchantments is more than 24 kilometres southwest of the charming Bavarian-themed town of Leavenworth. It"s considered one of the Cascade Range"s most stunning areas. The Enchantments is home to more than 700 lakes and ponds and some of the best rock climbing in the Western United States. It"s also home to mountain goats, ptarmigan, pikas and numerous types of alpine flowers. If you want to see Alpine Lakes Wilderness yourself, however, be prepared to wait. Few permits are granted for day hikes, and of the 40,000 people who entered last year"s lottery for overnight permits, only 2,558 received one.

© Mitch Pittman/Tandem Stills + Motion

palette

Today in History

Sep 3, 2023Skyscrapers in Manhattan
A pair of high achievers
Sep 3, 2025Trullo buildings in Alberobello, Apulia, Italy

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Oct 30, 2025Pushkar Camel Fair
Jun 1, 2024Pride Month
A vibrant, sun-drenched island
Oct 15, 2023European hedgehog
Meet an expert on the dog days of summer
American Red Cross pioneers
Feb 7, 2024St. James Tidal Pool, Cape Town, South Africa
Jan 6, 2025Flooded crypt, Basilica of San Francesco, Ravenna, Italy
The largest gypsum dune field
Apr 29, 2024Fujian Tulou, China
Mar 29, 2024South Stack Lighthouse, Holyhead, Wales, UK
Dec 26, 2025Boxing Day
Dec 18, 2024English National Ballet performing The Nutcracker
Apr 23, 2024World Book Day
Dec 4, 2025Indian Navy Day
Sep 15, 2023Udaipur, India
Nov 3, 2025Jellyfish swimming in the Pacific, Guerrero, Mexico
Feb 2, 2024Alpine Marmot
Go fly a kite!
Aug 9, 2025Raksha Bandhan
Nov 11, 2025Externsteine in the Teutoburg Forest, Germany
Sep 28, 2024Gulf Islands National Seashore, Florida, USA
Hop into Lunar New Year
Nov 7, 2025Polar bear in Churchill, Manitoba, Canada
Dec 28, 2024Dudhsagar Falls, Goa
Mar 31, 2025Ostuni, Apulia, Italy
Oct 21, 2023Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur
Dec 3, 2023Vermilion Cliffs National Monument
Feb 15, 2026Celebrating Maha Shivaratri
Aug 11, 2025Village of Santa Maddalena, Dolomites, Italy