The roundtrip covers 7.7 mi (12.39 km) with an elevation of 2,300 ft (701.04 m). 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. 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. Thank you so much for your thorough trip report. 4.5 miles with 2,300 ft. elevation gain. 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. Like most one day thru-hikers we started at Colchuck trailhead and descended down to Snows Lake trailhead. My pleasure, I have a feeling you will love your time at Colchuck Lake!! God Bless America! At 2.2 miles take a left at the junction with the Colchuck Lake Trail #1599.1. Every step of the hike has beautiful sights to see and enjoy. Colchuck Lake is an out and back trail, with a roundtrip of eight miles and an elevation gain of 2,300 feet. After reaching the lake, I found myself stuck staring at Colchuck glacier. There is a beautiful view of a waterfall along the climb. #AasgardPTSD. I've heard it's a 9 mile round trip hike. Meander along the lake's west edge while taking in the awesome views of Dragontail Peak and Colchuck Peak rising from … Total time 11 hours C2C. A Northwest Forest Pass is required to park at this trailhead. In summer, cars fill not only the trailhead parking lot, but the road leading to it. The roundtrip covers 7.7 mi (12.39 km) with an elevation of 2,300 ft (701.04 m). Bring insect repellent during summer months and a light rain jacket regardless of the season. While you may encounter lots of people during this time of year, it is by far the safest time to hike in this region. No spam. You can read about the seven principals of Leave No Trace here, Sequoia National Park — Stunning Winter Wonderland, 13 STUNNING Hikes at Mt. If you plan to camp at the top, know that you must obtain a permit between May 15 to October 31. Nestled between the two peaks it looks daunting from below. We were definitely going at a medium pace, with a little bit of urgency to make it before sunrise! For the most part, you are hiking through a forest. Colchuck Lake Trail begins at Stuart Lake trailhead and parking lot by Forest Service Road 7601, which can be reached from Icicle Creek Road. We did this as a day hike. The hike to Colchuck Lake begins at the Stuart Lake trailhead (no. After climbing a quick 1,100 ft from the valley base, you'll reach Colchuck Lake. During the summer months, the weather can also be unpredictable and a thunderstorm may pop up at any given time. Colchuck Lake is one of the gateways into the Enchantments. Your email address will not be published. No ads. Step over roots whenever possible. 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. 6-8 hours. Hello and welcome to my travel blog. 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. 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. Another mile up the trail and you reach a junction with the trail to Lake Stuart. Honest insights from a local. 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. Since it was pitch dark during our hike up, we took photos on the way back to give you a … 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. Time. Even though it is a steady uphill climb to Colchuck Lake, this felt like one of the easiest and fastest sections of the hike. A gem in the Alpine region of the state of Washington. 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. The thing is, you probably won’t finish your hike until the evening, and not many people drive up to a trailhead at night. 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). The 8-9 mile roundtrip hike was tiresome, but well worth it. 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. The hike starts at the Stuart Lake trailhead and immediately takes you into a dense and beautiful forest. Colchuck Lake. 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. My friends and I will be hiking the Colchuck Lake trail at the end of this month (for fall color). Stuart Lake is at 5600 feet elevation in the Enchantment Mountain range. Hiking to Colchuck Lake. 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. 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. This lake is a real butt-kicker hike but an oh so worth-it destination. Trip Day Hike - Colchuck Lake. I Camping on the lake is possible by permit only from May 15th to October 31st. After the bridge, the trail becomes steeper and rockier, a small taste of what's to come in the second half of the hike. Tmber.com narrates a hike up to spectacular Colchuck Lake near Leavenworth, Washington. Full Enchantments at Tmber.com. Here we crossed our first bridge and the trail starts to climb. And all this is within relatively easy reach. 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 In: PNW Hikes. The path to Colchuck Lake begins by following the Stuart Lake Trail, and the first section of the hike has plenty of shade. ! Copyright © 2021 EMBRACE SOMEPLACE | As an Amazon Associate I may earn from qualifying purchases. Starting at the Stuart Lake trailhead, we hiked in to our campsite at Colchuck Lake. It took us a little over 3 hours to reach Colchuck Lake. My name is Antonina and I’m glad to have you here. The trip to the lake is just under 4 mi (6.44 km). Distance: 8 miles round trip, and it's a hard 8. The lake is visible from various parts of the trail—it is picture-perfect with deep blue waters and surrounding mountains. The trail immediately crosses Mountaineer Creek again and then climbs steeply over sometimes rocky and washed-out trail. At 1.5 miles, you will cross a log footbridge over Mountaineer Creek. The trail to the lake is very popular during the summer hiking season. An inviting lake beneath the fearsome north face of one of Washington's highest and most imposing peaks. Are you visiting Leavenworth WA and looking for the perfect hike? 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. Park at the Stuart Lake trailhead. Trailhead to Colchuck Lake. The trail continues up with multiple switch backs. Begin on the Stuart La… Any real difficulties for novice hikers? Elvin R. Joh… Three quarters of a mile later, the trail flattens out and drops a little before reaching a trail junction. A note from the editor: Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links. What am I, your mother? We arrived to the lot at 3am and it was 80% full. The trail ends at a large granite face with a panorama of the lake. The pass can be purchased at National Forest offices. 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. This won't cost you a dime, but it will help offset the cost of running this travel blog. Colchuck Lake used to be a hidden gem but is now quickly gaining in popularity. Distance: 4.25 miles Elevation Gain: 2,200 feet Average Time: 2 to 3 hours. I hiked Lake Colchuck in the fall two years ago (September 23, 2018) and finally did Lake Stuart last Sunday (June 21, 2020). Due to popular demand for overnight permits. Trip will open for registration to all Mountaineers, based on availability, 7-10 days prior to date of the hike. Colchuck Lake Trail begins at Stuart Lake trailhead and parking lot by Forest Service Road 7601, which can be reached from Icicle Creek Road. Lake Stuart and Colchuck lake trail is an absolutely must-hike trail in Leavenworth, Washington.. After about 1.25 miles, you reach a footbridge and the climb begins to get serious. 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. 1599) and dives right into the forest. The parking lot gets full by 9am. Round trip time … The best time to visit the area and hike the trail is during the summer months. 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. The first two miles are an easy hike through the forest next to Mountaineer Creek. The hike up to Colchuck lake seemed easy. One of the most picturesque lakes you'll see in the area. My best guess is that many folks use this parking lot for the Enchantments Loop. Colchuck lake. ... Take the left trail (the right trail goes to Stuart Lake) and cross the creek. Continue for 3.8 miles to trailhead. Duration: Day Hike. For the first 1.7 miles, the hike is relatively easy with rolling hills and about 600 feet of elevation. CHS Tacoma September Hike: Trip will initially open to Tacoma Branch Conditioning Hiking Students. Elevation Gain ~2200 ft. With an elevation gain of over 2000 feet, the hike to Colchuck lake is challenging. You will need to navigate over a large boulder field bearing to the right. Beautiful Colchuk Lake is located not far from the Alpine village of Leavenworth. The Stuart Lake is straight ahead, while the Colchuck Lake Trail #1599.1 breaks off to the left. It mostly requires a constant incline climb with a 2,280-elevation gain. Boat Trip around Lake Izabal, Rio Dulce, and Livingston, Skagit Valley Tulip Festival near Seattle, Washington. The trip to the lake is just under 4 mi (6.44 km). It was, as you can suspect, an actual trail, made from dirt. I travel with my award-winning photographer of a husband, so the photos are good (I promise). High elevation, folks – use sunscreen and apply frequently. The easiest routes are scrambles from the south and / or the Colchuck Col at the top of the Colchuck Glacier to the east. Check out this post for my favorite day hike from Leavenworth! No BS. 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. 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 The reward at the top is a picturesque lake with dazzling blue green water and views over Dragontail and Colchuck Peak mountains. From here It is a short walk around the lake and then the ascent begins. Drive 8.4 miles and turn left onto Forest Service Road 7601. If you’re unfamiliar with Leave No Trace, it’s a measure to be a good steward of the land. Hiking to Colchuck Lake The trail begins with a gentle, forested climb that follows the beautiful cascades of Mountaineer Creek. With two hours before sunrise and 4.5 miles to go – we started moving at a swift clip. 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). I’m still undecided on which I would rather do and for the time being, I don’t really want to think about it. 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. Once I reached the rock field, I chose the easiest way up and began my ascent. 17 miles, 3850 feet of gain. This is the best review I’ve seen and your photos are stunning. Do we need a permit to hike? The Colchuck Lake trail via Stuart Lake Trail is rated as a difficult hike and is 7.7 miles. A magical day. So, not surprisingly it is also one of the state’s most popular lakes too! 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. Stepping on the exposed tree roots actually harms the trees and causes them to degrade over time. What’s next? Colchuck lake. It further leads to the remains of Colchuck Glacier. 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