Totally worth it and the grey jays were adorable all the way up (but don't feed them, it's not good for the birds)! Carried axes and some MSR snowshoes just for extra weight. We opted to don our snowshoes for the route down and used them all the way to Icicle creek. Trail was snow covered in a lot of places. There're larch trees on the mountains at both Stuart and Colchuck. I really started to struggle towards the end. We had a splendid time exploring the basin, looking at the last of the October larches, scrambling through icy boulders and enjoying the sunny day. Parking is only allowed in the Eightmile and Stuart/Colchuck Trailhead Parking Lots. you complete an envelope with your license plate and insert $5 cash to park. We had the place to ourselves most of the day until a trio of snowshoes passed us by on the way to the lake, turning around however as they were at their turnaround point. I went past the TH to Washington, and the hairpin turn to the upper TH prior to turning around as my hiking partner did not like the road conditions. I must have blocked out all the difficult parts lol. Highly recommend but considering the amount of people better do it on a weekday. Use poles. The trail was a challenge but well worth it. Sitting at the gateway to the Enchantments, as the slopes of Asgard Pass dive down into the glacial green waters of this beautiful lake. Looking down felt like a high dive as we watched the sparkling turquoise waters of Colchuck Lake shrink farther and farther beneath us. Mount Stuart rises above you at the southwest end of the lake with Sherpa Peak to its east. We didn't wear our spikes but had them with us. The entire trail was already broken in and had a decent bootpack. The trail continues past Colchuck Luck up Aasgard Pass to the Enchantment Lakes if you choose to extend your hike. Lake Stuart and Colchuck Lake Trail is a 11.7 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Leavenworth, Washington that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as difficult. Absolutely amazing views. (Seems obvious but we noticed many others were a bit under prepared). The trail seems to end at a broad granite face overlooking the lake. You will stay to the right after crossing the bridge, and walk along the creek before your next big push uphill. Stuart Lake is at 5600 feet elevation in the Enchantment Mountain range. I did this hike in July 2020 (as part of the Enchantments 23.6 miles from trailhead to trailhead). Road Beta: Snow free to lower TH. That was the only bummerl. I was stoked to hike to see Colchuck for myself and I dragged my family members with me. Stay to the left and you will happen upon another log bridge, stunning vistas that act as the gateway to the wilderness. The road in was paced, compact snow and ice but manageable for most cars, even 2 wheel drive - however, I expect after last night's storms road and route condition have already changed drastically, as Blewett and Snoqualmie pass both had a lot of snow as we drove home. Trail is in decent condition though, very rocky and icy at some points. Colchuck lake. If you drive vehicles similar to those in the last pic, you can make it all the way up. At the trailhead. Looking forward to hiking this again next summer! The best view point of Colchuck Lake with Dragontail Peak and Colchuck Peak in the background is from the large granite slab about a hundred feet down to the lake from the toilet sign. Didn’t need spikes but poles were pretty critical on way down in this section. http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/lake-stuart, http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/okawen/passes-permits/?cid=fsbdev3_053607. Trail Map | Photo Gallery. Highway 97 takes you over Blewett pass to a junction with U.S. 2. Camp as near the south end as possible. Challenging, but like I said totally worth the struggle uphill. I will do this one again for sure but in daylight. A LOT of people on Colchuck lake trail, less on Stuart. There are campsites on both the west side and the south end of the lake. Next to Stuart Lake, this has to be one of the most glorious day trips in the area. 17 miles, 3850 feet of gain. If you plan on spending the night you will need a pass from the Leavenworth Ranger Station. With multiple stops for Starbucks, gas, Deli, and bathroom breaks, I arrived at Icicle Creek Road around 10:00 AM. challenging hike but not as hard as I thought the last 1-1.5 miles would be based on the reviews. You make wish to make a side trip up to Colchuck Lake, but do know that this hike is strenuous, but the payoff is worth it. Hiked on 11/8. Read About these trails in our Hiking Guide Colchuck Lake; FRESH POWDER! The road to the trail was very rough at points, but we made it to the trail head without any issues. Conditions were good and the snow was packed enough to need only micro-spikes for the way up. But the steepest sections at the end was icy. Please note that it's a heavily ticketed and towed area so be sure to park properly. I honestly felt great on the way up - perhaps the adrenaline of seeing the lake. great views! Colchuck Lake is gorgeous and has a jaw-dropping scenery with jagged peaks surrounded. Layer up and bring a hat/gloves as it gets pretty chilly on top. An inviting lake beneath the fearsome north face of one of Washington's highest and most imposing peaks. nayyef Hrebid / alltrails.com Located in the Central Cascades, Colchuck Lake is an alpine gem that sits nestled in between two tall peaks. Otherwise, just take it slow. Initially, past the hairpin turn, it looked dicey, but becomes bare and wet for at least half the road. It was really beautiful and also interesting to see the various campsites and campers. It wasn’t such that you need microspikes but poles were helpful. Most day trippers will head up to Colchuck Lake, leaving you with the less crowded trip to Lake Stuart. I slip and slide on most things - forget about ice and snow, I find wet dirt, rocks, and logs a hazard to my joints, knees, and face when I plant, so I am overly aggressive on my traction. Everything about it was so dreamy. We brought some with us but didn’t feel the need for them. Arrived at parking lot at 9:30am and it is easy to find parking, perhaps due to the rain in the morning. Colchuck Lake by Samanthazon. Upon arriving, Lake Stuart opened up into a spectacular lake shimmering with the morning sun. parking is limited and was almost full when we arrived around 720am on a weekday Many layers and gloves highly recommended. Honestly, I am shocked, amazed, and impressed at how some people get up, but they do. Worth the steep climb up there. Most of the camp sites are on the left side of the lake (west). This alpine lake is accompanied by the twin spires of Dragontail Peak and Colchuck Peak at the far end of the lake. Then, follow the road for 8.5 miles and take a left onto dirt road 7601 when you see signs for Colchuck Lake. Absolutely beautiful bike. Colchuk Lake - 9.4 Miles Round-Trip Colchuk Lake (5,570') is located 4.7 miles from Stuart Lake Trailhead in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Different, but still very beautiful and quiet. Saw a lot of people wearing micro spikes. To the left of Dragontail is Aasgard Pass, the climb that serves as the unbelievably steep shortcut to the Enchantments. Cold, wear layers of sweaters. The trail was in great condition and I'd say about 85% of the hikers wore masks! This is a great place to grab lunch and take in the scenery. It is about a 30 acre lake with clear water and easy fishing access in many places. I recommend a face net. Started at 11am and got back to the car around 6pm. trail has slippery frost and ice near the top and spikes were great. We saw lots of chipmunks and no mosquitoes, thankfully. Colchuck Lake is a great area to camp when climbing in the Colchuck-Dragontail Peak area. Once you get to the lake, the views are outstanding. Without a doubt, this trail belongs at the top of the list of incredible outdoor adventures in Washington. Hiked 11/7. It was amazing to have the trail and lake to ourselves - quite the opposite of the other seasons. The Colchuck Lake hike has been on our Pacific Northwest Bucket List ever since we could remember, so we were almost too excited to sleep when we finally decided to do it. There is a second sturdy (although slightly sloping) log bridge shortly after the turnoff. All the fresh powder made it a little difficult to find the trail but it didn't take long to get back on track. No Dogs are allowed on the trail and no fires are allowed at either lake. This large, striking lake is set below Dragontail Peak and Aasgard Pass in the heart of the Stuart Range and Enchantments Lakes Basin.. Although this trail is one of my favorite hikes, the road was closed for the winter when you first turn off of Icicle Rd. This hike is challenging in that it is mostly up, and up, and up. If you’re worried about that, I’d suggest a different hike. We can also serve the Pacific Crest Trail at Stevens Pass, Snoqualmie Pass, or Trinity. Colchuck lake is very pretty, much better than Blanca Lake I think. Once you reach Colchuck lake, you will be rewarded with beautiful views of the blue/green lake with the peaks towering behind it. Colchuck Lake via Stuart Lake Trail es un sendero de ida y vuelta de 14.5 kilómetros con tráfico pesado localizado cerca de Leavenworth, Washington. After fly fishing at Icicle Creek with great success, I hiked up to Colchuck Lake with some friends. After the walk through the woods, you will cross the creek on a bridge before beginning the first real incline of the hike. Continue on this washboarded dirt road for 3.8 miles to a parking lot and the trailhead. It got pretty icy at the top but not too bad. El sendero se usa principalmente para hacer senderismo, acampada y excursionismo y es mejor utilizado de mayo hasta octubre. The lake was completely snow covered, frozen and arctic-like. The road becomes bare and very drivable. The first glance you get rounding the corner to Colchuck Lake is an awe inspiring moment. There is a $5 cash for park fee unless you have the NW Forest Pass. You will have a few areas with views perfect for photo opportunities on your way to the lake. Always stunning. Immediately across the lake is the imposing massif of Dragontail Peak. Length 9 miElevation gain 2283 ftRoute type Out & back Many great spots for swimming and … big flat rocks are all around the lake so you can find a peaceful or secluded spot for you and your group which is really what makes the peak amazing I didn’t mind though- love this trail. After crossing the bridge and walking along the bottom of a talus field, the trail heads more steeply uphill. This alpine lake is accompanied by the twin spires of Dragontail Peak and Colchuck Peak at the far end of the lake. The water in the lake was very cold, but not unbearable. Not a problem with AWD. Poles and spikes are not NEEDED, but probably helpful in some sections. Check out my photos And since summer is quickly fading into fall, now is the time to get out and enjoy it. For a good part of the hike the trail follows Mountaineer Creek, which flows out of Stuart Lake. not a lot of people! The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, and backpacking and is best used from May until October. First of all - the gate to the trailhead closes on Monday 11/9 so if you don’t want to walk up the road and add those miles to an already difficult hike - this Sunday is your last chance! Ice was present on the trail as well. Pack warm clothes if you’re going in the fall or spring. A magical day. This is a challenging hike with beautiful scenery in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area of Washington State. This is by far the hardest hike I ever did. We ended up snowshoeing down with the last 6 miles in the dark with the moon illuminating the snow here and there. Please remember there are people with different skill levels and athletic ability. After many switchbacks Colchuck Lake was in sight throught the trees at the top of the trail. Easy plunge stepping down. Failure to have a permit will result in you being fined and asked to leave by the rangers. Used microspikes on the way down for some of it. A northwest forest pass is required. If you have a decent 4X4/AWD, don't let this deter you. The trail to Stuart Lake was pretty easy and enjoyable. Total time 11 hours C2C. Certainly difficult, especially on the downhill, but it’s worth the view. Totally doable with good hiking boots. The parking area can be busy, as visitors access the Enchantments and Stuart Lake from this trailhead. Overly populated, so keep that in mind before trekking- not everyone will be following the mask guidelines. The winter route is in super condition. To the right are the remnants of the Colchuck Glacier and the slopes of Colchuck Peak, its true summit tucked out of view behind rocky towers. Mt. Heading back to hike up Colchuck Lake the trail was immediately different than Stuart Lake. The trail to the lake is well marked and well used. So today we’re going to pay homage to one of our favorite Washington lakes, the beautiful and pristine Colchuck Lake. The road was frozen and slick in the AM, and a Ford Pickup was in the ditch past the lower TH. Looking forward to go again in the summer. Do wear gaiters for the occasional posthole or tree well. You will need a high clearance, lifted vehicle to make it. At the junction take the left fork, the Colchuck Lake Trail. Started about 3:50 and arrived right at 630, sunrise was 10 min later. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until October. being a water filter- plenty of water sources Are you visiting Leavenworth WA and looking for the perfect hike? Also, at this time of year the mosquitos were relentless - even with bug spray. The last pic shows the road condition just below the upper TH. My advice - aggressive microspikes and poles at a minimum. There are restroom located here. Not only do you get the views of the icy deep aqua blue glacier water, you are surrounded by the tall Glacier Walls of Dragontail and Colchuck Peaks. Just take your time. 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Events, News, gear reviews and more Ranger Station some sections packed enough to need only micro-spikes the! Pickup was in decent shape with snow after eight mile Lake trail starts at Stuart Lake lunch and in... Points, but we made it a little lightheaded going up but it did colchuck lake alltrails wear our spikes but were... Road around 10:00 AM like me, you will reach the trail follows Mountaineer Creek over... Was done in the heart of the Lake was very rough at points, but becomes bare and wet at... Day - must have been a calorie, thigh-burning, suffer-fest 23.6 miles from trailhead to trailhead ) the! Dust and pot holes it just seemed super slow this significant elevation change surreal to be colchuck lake alltrails down felt a...
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