Duration: Day Hike. During the summer months, the weather can also be unpredictable and a thunderstorm may pop up at any given time. With two hours before sunrise and 4.5 miles to go – we started moving at a swift clip. As if Colchuck Lake alone werent enough of a draw, it is one of the two gateways to the Enchantments, and the trailhead also accesses Stuart Lake, an easier and equally awesome destination. Elvin R. Joh… Step over roots whenever possible. What am I, your mother? The trail to the lake is very popular during the summer hiking season. Rainier National Park, The 7 Wonders of Oregon (& 4 More We Should Add ASAP), Skyline Trail Loop at Mt. I’m still undecided on which I would rather do and for the time being, I don’t really want to think about it. It further leads to the remains of Colchuck Glacier. Upon reaching the boulder field on the opposite side of the bridge, you will have to pay close attention to the path as it heads southwest (right) along the creek for a short distance. Hiking to Colchuck Lake The trail begins with a gentle, forested climb that follows the beautiful cascades of Mountaineer Creek. And all this is within relatively easy reach. The 8-9 mile roundtrip hike was tiresome, but well worth it. After climbing a quick 1,100 ft from the valley base, you'll reach Colchuck Lake. Colchuck Lake is one of the gateways into the Enchantments. Beautiful Colchuk Lake is located not far from the Alpine village of Leavenworth. If you plan to camp at the top, know that you must obtain a permit between May 15 to October 31. Here we crossed our first bridge and the trail starts to climb. The lake is visible from various parts of the trail—it is picture-perfect with deep blue waters and surrounding mountains. We arrived to the lot at 3am and it was 80% full. A Northwest Forest Pass is required to park at this trailhead. We got to the trailhead by 8:45 am, took lots of photos and an hour and a half nap at the lake, and got back to our car by 5:30 pm. Do we need a permit to hike? Since it was pitch dark during our hike up, we took photos on the way back to give you a … Don’t let me scare you off, if you’re in any kind of shape you can hike Colchuck Lake, it’s just that Blue Lake is very easy for an equally awesome view. From the lake you can view Aasgard Pass which is for more serious hikers/backpackers to enter the Enchantments and that have received a pass to camp overnight. From here It is a short walk around the lake and then the ascent begins. Colchuck Lake looked stunning in pictures with the snow and larches, but there were so many pictures popping up on Facebook and Instagram, I feared the hike would be a conga line. Due to popular demand for overnight permits. The trail ends at a large granite face with a panorama of the lake. Boat Trip around Lake Izabal, Rio Dulce, and Livingston, Skagit Valley Tulip Festival near Seattle, Washington. Distance: 4.25 miles Elevation Gain: 2,200 feet Average Time: 2 to 3 hours. The hike up to Colchuck lake seemed easy. Full Enchantments at Tmber.com. 4.5 miles with 2,300 ft. elevation gain. The easiest routes are scrambles from the south and / or the Colchuck Col at the top of the Colchuck Glacier to the east. This hike itself is a great workout, to get to the lake you are hiking four miles uphill, my boyfriend and I made it to the lake in two hours, and I was drenched in sweat even though it was pretty chilly. 1599) and dives right into the forest. To reach the trailhead, turn onto Icicle Creek Road from US2. Colchuck Peak is a prominent peak in the Stuart Range and a worthy goal with some very fine climbs on its northeast side, though it is often overlooked in favor of Dragontail Peak immediately to the east with its spectacular north face. We were definitely going at a medium pace, with a little bit of urgency to make it before sunrise! 100 would mean there's just 1 such person (and if the 100 are selected based on knowledge and care, maybe even that one doesn't get in). Honest insights from a local. Copyright © 2021 EMBRACE SOMEPLACE | As an Amazon Associate I may earn from qualifying purchases. Stuart Lake is at 5600 feet elevation in the Enchantment Mountain range. Thank you so much for your thorough trip report. Follow the potholed dirt road 3.7 miles to the Stuart Lake trailhead. Top Tips For The Colchuck Lake Hike: Prepare for a quick elevation gain; Pace yourself – the trail is 8 miles long; The trail can get dusty in the summertime, so leave space between hikers After reaching the lake, I found myself stuck staring at Colchuck glacier. The hike starts at the Stuart Lake trailhead and immediately takes you into a dense and beautiful forest. Colchuck Lake is an out and back trail, with a roundtrip of eight miles and an elevation gain of 2,300 feet. There are several high points with the western most being the true summit. Now down, the path around Colchuck Lake felt like a fairy tale. No spam. A gem in the Alpine region of the state of Washington. Camping on the lake is possible by permit only from May 15th to October 31st. Elevation Gain ~2200 ft. With an elevation gain of over 2000 feet, the hike to Colchuck lake is challenging. Learn from my misadventure with the mosquitoes – taking one for the team. Cross the creek on a bridge and the next mile begins to ascend a little more steeply. Your email address will not be published. Nestled between the two peaks it looks daunting from below. It took us a little over 3 hours to reach Colchuck Lake. The hike to Colchuck Lake begins at the Stuart Lake trailhead (no. Hello and welcome to my travel blog. After about 1.25 miles, you reach a footbridge and the climb begins to get serious. At 2.2 miles take a left at the junction with the Colchuck Lake Trail #1599.1. On this blog I share two things: the joy of life in Portland and helpful information about national parks. Any real difficulties for novice hikers? It was amazing to have the trail and lake to ourselves - quite the opposite of the other seasons. Time. The Colchuck Lake trail via Stuart Lake Trail is rated as a difficult hike and is 7.7 miles. Sign up for the email list and join a robust community of 42,000+ monthly readers — you’ll always be in the know. Answer 1 of 12: Hello...we are planning a trip to Leavenworth so we can spend a day hiking to Colchuck lake and back. Colchuck Lake Trail begins at Stuart Lake trailhead and parking lot by Forest Service Road 7601, which can be reached from Icicle Creek Road. My friends and I will be hiking the Colchuck Lake trail at the end of this month (for fall color). Colchuck Lake. #AasgardPTSD. One of the most picturesque lakes you'll see in the area. This won't cost you a dime, but it will help offset the cost of running this travel blog. Total time 11 hours C2C. I travel with my award-winning photographer of a husband, so the photos are good (I promise). The parking lot gets full by 9am. The path to Colchuck Lake begins by following the Stuart Lake Trail, and the first section of the hike has plenty of shade. Tmber.com narrates a hike up to spectacular Colchuck Lake near Leavenworth, Washington. The roundtrip covers 7.7 mi (12.39 km) with an elevation of 2,300 ft (701.04 m). So, not surprisingly it is also one of the state’s most popular lakes too! What’s next? At 1.5 miles, you will cross a log footbridge over Mountaineer Creek. Check out this post for my favorite day hike from Leavenworth! The pass can be purchased at National Forest offices. The best time to visit the area and hike the trail is during the summer months. For the first 1.7 miles, the hike is relatively easy with rolling hills and about 600 feet of elevation. My name is Antonina and I’m glad to have you here. While you may encounter lots of people during this time of year, it is by far the safest time to hike in this region. Continue for 3.8 miles to trailhead. A note from the editor: Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links. Hiking to Colchuck Lake. Colchuck lake. The Stuart Lake is straight ahead, while the Colchuck Lake Trail #1599.1 breaks off to the left. Colchuck Lake used to be a hidden gem but is now quickly gaining in popularity. Colchuck Lake Date: May 22, 2016 Difficulty: 6 out of 10 Distance: 8 miles roundtrip Elevation Gain: 2,300 feet Time: 3 to 4 hours Location: Near Leavenworth, Washington Users Group: Hikers Only Permits: Northwest Forest Pass Trail Conditions: Dry To Some Muddy Spots Hiking With: Emelie Espling, Sofia Hung, Max and my wife Linna Freeman You will need to navigate over a large boulder field bearing to the right. Distance: 8 miles round trip, and it's a hard 8. The trip to the lake is just under 4 mi (6.44 km). We were trying to make it challenging for ourselves (we were also on a time crunch) but a nice leisure hike should take about 3-4 hours. You can read about the seven principals of Leave No Trace here, Sequoia National Park — Stunning Winter Wonderland, 13 STUNNING Hikes at Mt. 17 miles, 3850 feet of gain. Begin on the Stuart La… ... Take the left trail (the right trail goes to Stuart Lake) and cross the creek. Another mile up the trail and you reach a junction with the trail to Lake Stuart. The trail immediately crosses Mountaineer Creek again and then climbs steeply over sometimes rocky and washed-out trail. In: PNW Hikes. Three quarters of a mile later, the trail flattens out and drops a little before reaching a trail junction. Trip will open for registration to all Mountaineers, based on availability, 7-10 days prior to date of the hike. If you’re unfamiliar with Leave No Trace, it’s a measure to be a good steward of the land. It’s a pristine alpine lake with soaring, jagged mountains above you, turquoise clear water below, and the added plus: water warm enough you can stomach swimming in. A magical day. Stepping on the exposed tree roots actually harms the trees and causes them to degrade over time. The trip to the lake is just under 4 mi (6.44 km). This would be Michael’s first trip to Colchuck Lake, and I had not been since my first mid-week backpacking trip several years ago. Colchuck Lake Trail begins at Stuart Lake trailhead and parking lot by Forest Service Road 7601, which can be reached from Icicle Creek Road. I've heard it's a 9 mile round trip hike. The trail continues up with multiple switch backs. It was, as you can suspect, an actual trail, made from dirt. The roundtrip covers 7.7 mi (12.39 km) with an elevation of 2,300 ft (701.04 m). God Bless America! The thing is, you probably won’t finish your hike until the evening, and not many people drive up to a trailhead at night. After the bridge, the trail becomes steeper and rockier, a small taste of what's to come in the second half of the hike. I hiked Lake Colchuck in the fall two years ago (September 23, 2018) and finally did Lake Stuart last Sunday (June 21, 2020). Once I reached the rock field, I chose the easiest way up and began my ascent. If 1% of people at Colchuck cut switchbacks, bring a dog, have a campfire by the lakeside (I've seen all three behaviors), 1,000 people on the trail = 10 people causing damage. Trip Day Hike - Colchuck Lake. Park at the Stuart Lake trailhead. It mostly requires a constant incline climb with a 2,280-elevation gain. No ads. In summer, cars fill not only the trailhead parking lot, but the road leading to it. My pleasure, I have a feeling you will love your time at Colchuck Lake!! We did this as a day hike. Meander along the lake's west edge while taking in the awesome views of Dragontail Peak and Colchuck Peak rising from … Round trip time … Rainier National Park, 20+ Helpful Things to Know Before Visiting Sequoia National Park in Winter, Local’s Guide to the 10 Best Viewpoints in Portland, Stunning Photos of Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland, 9+ (Ancient) Hikes in Redwood National Park, Best hiked from April to October (we hiked July 5, 2020). After our fourth time, Linna and I agreed that this will be the last time we hike this grueling twenty mile thru hike in the beautiful Enchantments in one day. Starting at the Stuart Lake trailhead, we hiked in to our campsite at Colchuck Lake. An inviting lake beneath the fearsome north face of one of Washington's highest and most imposing peaks. This hike is rated as challenging, but you'll be awarded with beautiful scenery of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area and the sight of two prominent spires: Dragontail Peak and Colchuck Peak. While the final ascent to the lake is steep and rough in places, Colchucks overall elevation gain of 2,300 feet makes its spectacular scenery accessible to hikers of almost any ability. Like most one day thru-hikers we started at Colchuck trailhead and descended down to Snows Lake trailhead. Mind that Forest Service Road R 7601 from Icicle Creek Road to the trailhead is closed during winter, that's why you better plan your trip from May through October. The reward at the top is a picturesque lake with dazzling blue green water and views over Dragontail and Colchuck Peak mountains. This lake is a real butt-kicker hike but an oh so worth-it destination. Drive 8.4 miles and turn left onto Forest Service Road 7601. No BS. Even though it is a steady uphill climb to Colchuck Lake, this felt like one of the easiest and fastest sections of the hike. There is a beautiful view of a waterfall along the climb. Bring insect repellent during summer months and a light rain jacket regardless of the season. 6-8 hours. Colchuck Lake is a popular hike, and during the day, you’ll likely see some people driving up Icicle Creek Road. For the most part, you are hiking through a forest. Set in a granite bathtub beneath spiraling peaks adorned with shimmering strands of glacial ice, Colchuck ranks as one of the most beautiful alpine lakes in all of Washington. Every step of the hike has beautiful sights to see and enjoy. 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