The road is in fairly good condition but the dust and pot holes it just seemed super slow. It’s about 9 miles and I’ve never hiked with this significant elevation change. All around, it was a great hike! Trail is in decent condition though, very rocky and icy at some points. …#donate #mestiza #mestizahiker #WAtrails #alltrails #explorewashstate #washingtontrails #training #hiking #teampinsans #stongereveryday #11of52hikechallenge … There're larch trees on the mountains at both Stuart and Colchuck. It's considered to be a difficult hike, so … After crossing the second bridge, continue along the river for a bit before turning up and away towards Colchuck Lake - you should be able to catch glimpses of Dragontail peak from this area. Heading out of the TH parking lot was long and slow. 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)! 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. Otherwise, you can park about 3/4 of the way up in a usual good trail car. Washington is an outdoor lover’s paradise. Drive beware. 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. If you drive vehicles similar to those in the last pic, you can make it all the way up. The road was frozen and slick in the AM, and a Ford Pickup was in the ditch past the lower TH. This alpine lake is accompanied by the twin spires of Dragontail Peak and Colchuck Peak at the far end of the lake. Check out this post for my favorite day hike from Leavenworth! If you plan on spending the night you will need a pass from the Leavenworth Ranger Station. At the time in august it was perfect, the trail condition was a great intro to what is now what I consider my favorite alpine forest I’ve hiked into since being in Washington. This Lake Has The Absolute Bluest Water In Washington. Totally doable with good hiking boots. It wasn’t such that you need microspikes but poles were helpful. Hiked 11/7. Today’s conditions were mostly fine with patches of ice and slippery surfaces that I slipped on and saw numerous people slip on. 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. No snow on the trail. I had to put on my thermal to keep warm. On one hand, I would say if you’re a beginner, if you go in the summer you can definitely do it. Started from Icicle Creek Road and headed on up to Colchuck Lake via the 'winter route' which adds 8 miles! This is by far the hardest hike I ever did. Upon arriving, Lake Stuart opened up into a spectacular lake shimmering with the morning sun. The center snow pile is difficult to clear. This was a bucket list trail for me. We knew we wanted to arrive at sunrise, so after some hiking time estimates and driving times, we realized we had a shocking 12:30 am wakeup call ahead of us. The snow covered everything and the environment was so different compared to my previous two hikes up Colchuck this past summer. Hiked on 11/8. Great fishing in this lake. Colchuck Peak/East Route. A little smoke on the trail but not too bad. Mt. Arriving at Colchuck Col, the sweeping views of the Teanaway to the south are revealed and it's breathtaking. You will stay to the right after crossing the bridge, and walk along the creek before your next big push uphill. We used poles all the way up. The scenery was an absolutely gorgeous winter wonderland. Most day trippers will head up to Colchuck Lake, leaving you with the less crowded trip to Lake Stuart. After crossing the bridge and walking along the bottom of a talus field, the trail heads more steeply uphill. I slipped multiple times, even as a self-proclaimed avid hiker. Colchuck Lake is gorgeous and has a jaw-dropping scenery with jagged peaks surrounded. Started about 3:50 and arrived right at 630, sunrise was 10 min later. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, and backpacking and is best used from May until October. Conditions were good and the snow was packed enough to need only micro-spikes for the way up. Colchuck Lake by Samanthazon. Start early to finish before dark. It's 8.0 miles round trip to Colchuck Lake, with about 2,200 feet of elevation gain. There are also campgrounds surrounding the lake. Hiked 11/7. Saw many people fall, good hiking shoes recommended. Made the way up much more manageable, much like driving up in our 4X4 rig with no slippage. I must have blocked out all the difficult parts lol. It was a good, hard hike, but nothing crazy – we took maybe 2:15 or so on the way up and flew down in 1:45 or so after the technical icy bits toward the top. Use poles. Colchuck Lake via Stuart Lake Trail is a 9 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Leavenworth, Washington that features a lake and is rated as difficult. So today we’re going to pay homage to one of our favorite Washington lakes, the beautiful and pristine Colchuck Lake. Took the "winter route" from Icicle Creek Road up to Colchuck Lake which adds 8 miles. Please remember there are people with different skill levels and athletic ability. (Seems obvious but we noticed many others were a bit under prepared). 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. The trail continues past Colchuck Luck up Aasgard Pass to the Enchantment Lakes if you choose to extend your hike. Also, at this time of year the mosquitos were relentless - even with bug spray. However, there are no fires allowed at the lake. If you’re worried about that, I’d suggest a different hike. A challenging scramble or basic alpine climb of 13 miles and 5,100 feet of elevation gain. recommend attempts at proper hiking footwear and winter clothing (crazy what i saw today...) and dont act like you’re late late to an important date (seriously self centered, rude, and dangerous); right of way goes to those going uphill. This alpine lake is accompanied by the twin spires of Dragontail Peak and Colchuck Peak at the far end of the lake. Certainly difficult, especially on the downhill, but it’s worth the view. Stuart Lake is at 5600 feet elevation in the Enchantment Mountain range. Once you reach Colchuck lake, you will be rewarded with beautiful views of the blue/green lake with the peaks towering behind it. I honestly felt great on the way up - perhaps the adrenaline of seeing the lake. Poles and spikes are not NEEDED, but probably helpful in some sections. The hike starts out with an easy mile and a half, creek side walk through the forest. http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/lake-stuart, http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/okawen/passes-permits/?cid=fsbdev3_053607. I hit the start of this at 3:30 in the am, so most of my hike was done in the dark with headlamps. I went 11/8 and had nanospikes which helped tremendously. It was amazing to have the trail and lake to ourselves - quite the opposite of the other seasons. Arrived at parking lot at 9:30am and it is easy to find parking, perhaps due to the rain in the morning. I really started to struggle towards the end. parking is limited and was almost full when we arrived around 720am on a weekday Most of the camp sites are on the left side of the lake (west). The small lake next to Colchuck is very pretty too. Colchuck Lake is a great area to camp when climbing in the Colchuck-Dragontail Peak area. After many switchbacks Colchuck Lake was in sight throught the trees at the top of the trail. The meadow to Stuart Lake is at its best time of fall colors. The section to Colchuck Lake is rocky and steep, but if you pack enough food and water and take rest it'll be fine. Lake Stuart and Colchuck Lake Trail is a 18.8 kilometer moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Leavenworth, Washington that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as difficult. 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. trail has slippery frost and ice near the top and spikes were great. A LOT of people on Colchuck lake trail, less on Stuart. You will need a high clearance, lifted vehicle to make it. Truly beautiful. Trail Map | Photo Gallery. iked Mount Ellinor via the upper trailhead and the winter route up today, and the summer route down in beautiful bluebird conditions! Ice was present on the trail as well. However, the views at the lake are well worth the effort. Didn’t need spikes but poles were pretty critical on way down in this section. Larches are at peak here but this isn’t a very larchy hike. Toilets available at the trail head. The elevation gain to Lake Stuart is 1700 feet, but spread out over 5 miles, it really is not a very tough hike. Argonaut Peak rises in front of you to the south. Are you visiting Leavenworth WA and looking for the perfect hike? This large, striking lake is set below Dragontail Peak and Aasgard Pass in the heart of the Stuart Range and Enchantments Lakes Basin.. Take I-90 and head east over Snoqualmie Pass to Cle Elum, taking the exit to Wenatchee & Blewett Pass via 970 and then US highway 97. Looking forward to hiking this again next summer! 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