The vegetation of the Enchantment Lakes Basin, which is located at and above timberline on the slopes of Mount Stuart, Washington, was examined by classification and ordination methods. A vegetation map relates the 21 recognized community types to physiographic and topographic features. Vegetation was divided into plots with and without trees. The 11 forested communities include those dominated by Larix lyallii and Cassiope mertensiana on moist slopes, L. lyallii and Phyllodoce glanduliflora on steep north-facing slopes, Abies lasiocarpa and Vaccinium inyrtillus on low elevation, moist sites, and several communities dominated by Pinus albicaulis on dry, exposed slopes. The 10 alpine communities include dry fell-fields dominated by Lupinus lepidus with a variety of forbs, communities dominated by Cassiope mertensiana and Phyllodoce glanduliflora and by P. empetriformis, and lush and wet meadow communities dominated by Lupinus polyphyllus and Carex nigricans. These communities are related to those identified by other workers in the Pacific Northwest. Keys to the vegetation of this area are presented. Indirect gradient analysis using reciprocal averaging revealed both vegetation and species patterns. In the subalpine, moisture appears to be the dominant operational gradient, while inferred temperature is a secondary factor. In the alpine vegetation, a combined gradient of moisture and exposure is indicated by reciprocal averaging. Special ordinations derived from reciprocal averaging reflect these interpretations and identify indicator species for particular habitats in both subalpine and alpine. The patterns are summarized with a mosaic diagram. The use of multivariate methods provided means to summarize primary survey data quickly and efficiently. The pattterns thus revealed are comparable to other studies in the Pacific Northwest and thus engender confidence in the use of indirect gradient analysis as a valuable tool for primary survey in these ecosystems. A vegetation map, keys to vegetation types, community and species patterns, and the relationship between classifications and ordinations emerged from this study.