Information about this hike provided in partnership with
Mountaineers Books.
Copyright © Craig Romano/The Mountaineers Books Colchuck Lake
Featured In:
Day Hiking: Central Cascades,
by Craig Romano.
A portion of all book sales from the links above benefits WTA and helps protect and maintain our trails. Set in a granite bathtub beneath spiraling peaks dabbed with shimmering strings of glacial ice, Colchuck ranks as one of the most beautiful alpine lakes in all of Washington. And one of the most popular too! Can you resist the lure of Colchuck's sparkling cobalt waters? Or being mesmerized by her glacial-scoured surroundings that appear right out of the High Sierra? I didn't think so. But before joining the boot-beating brigade, be forewarned. The hike isn't easy. It involves a knee knocking ascent over some pretty steep and rocky terrain.
Driving Directions:
From milepost 99 on US 2, on the western edge of Leavenworth, follow the paved Icicle Creek Road (Forest Road 76) for 8.4 miles, turning left onto Eightmile Road (FR 7601). Continue on this washboarded dirt road for 3.8 miles to a large parking lot and the trailhead (elev. 3400 ft). Privy available. Recent Trip Reports
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Colchuck Lake
— Oct 30, 2011
— allan.knight
Day hike
Features:
Fall foliage
Issues:
Water on trail | Snow on trail
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This was on my list to hike for the season and I barely made it. Wet, chilly, and a...
This was on my list to hike for the season and I barely made it. Wet, chilly, and a little ice on the trail as the elevation increased, but well worth it! About 2 hours up and 1 1/2 down going at a steady pace. Clouds were rolling in and out all day and made for some pretty dramatic views around the lake.
Multi-night backpack
Features:
Fall foliage
Issues:
Water on trail | Snow on trail
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We departed mid day on monday morning from Stuart Lake TH. The first night we camped at Colchuck Lake....
We departed mid day on monday morning from Stuart Lake TH. The first night we camped at Colchuck Lake. Estimate it got down to the 20's at colchuck. It was a clear night and the small lake to the right of Colchuck (when looking at Asgard Pass) wasn't frozen when we went to bed but had a complete layer of ice over it when we woke up.
On day 2 we climbed Asgard Pass. There was virtually no snow on the pass. However once you pass the stand of trees about half way up you start to encounter ice. The last 300 ft or so was pretty bad. You will need crampons or at the least microspikes. For less experienced persons I highly recommend possibly using a rope for safety. As soon as you get over the pass the enchantment basin is filled with snow. It is a hard crusty snow probably 1-2 ft deep. We climbed Little Annapurna and had amazing views of Rainier, Mt Adams all of WA and probably parts of Idaho. Visibility was unlimited. That night we camped near the first privy as you head down the basin. It was a perfectly clear night but very cold. Probably in the teens. Water froze within minutes unless it was with you in your sleeping bag. There are some areas of running water but they probably wont be around much longer. You should bring ice axes. On day 3 we set our alarms and awoke to an amazing sunrise. Another 100% clear day the larches were beautiful. Just past there peak but still 75% of the needles on the trees. We spent day 3 hiking down the basin to Upper Snow Lake. We used traction devices for the majority of the hike. Some of the rock faces had ice. I expect the ice to only get worse so recommend you definitely carry rope. The basin was gorgeous. The temperature steadily increased as we dropped in elevation. At snow lake it was probably just at or above freezing. On day 4 we hikes out to the Snow Lake TH. Once you reach Snow lake there are some muddy sections of the trail. We had a perfect weather window for this hike. Overnight
Features:
Fall foliage
Issues:
Snow on trail
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Did the Enchantment loop in two days starting at the Stuart Lake TH (Colchuck Lake), and ending at the Snow...
Did the Enchantment loop in two days starting at the Stuart Lake TH (Colchuck Lake), and ending at the Snow Lakes TH. I got started around 1pm because of a little mishap in the city, but still got up and over Aasgard by 6pm when the sun set. The trail to the lake is clear, fun, quick if you have a light pack. Many folks had attempted the pass and had told me not to even think about it without crampons or microspikes. I had neither and did the pass lake-level to pass in 1:45 with neither and a 38lb. pack, though I'd recommend at least spikes as when I was there the path had worn down and was quite slippery in places. Mountaineering boots recommended too. One section perhaps 400ft. from the top is a little tricky, but nothing to make the hair on the back of the neck stand up for. Just some compacted ice going up and over a boulder. Just go carefully and if you fall, it'll hurt a little but you won't die.
Once n the upper enchantment basin, there's 1-2ft of snow, and it is incredibly easy to follow the trail. I camped a mile past the pass. Climbed Little Annapurna in the morn, Prusik Pass in the afternoon, descended all afternoon past all the beautifulness and slowly made my way back to the other trailhead about an hour and a half past sundown. Water everywhere, the upper lakes are frozen and accumulating snow. Snow starts around Colchuck and ends just below Vivian. The long slog out is straightforward; kind of tough sometimes just below Vivian. Great trip though. Perfect weather. Larches just past their peak, still bright orange. No permit needed either. :]
Colchuck Lake
— Oct 16, 2011
— mOuNtAiNeEr51
Day hike
Features:
Fall foliage
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Lots of cars at the trailhead, but much fewer people at the lake than I expected. I am sure many...
Lots of cars at the trailhead, but much fewer people at the lake than I expected. I am sure many of the people were in the Upper Enchantments. The lake had a good number of hikers around, but we had plenty of solitude still. The lake was amazing, as always. Colorful water, bright larch trees, and massive snowy peaks rising all around. Best time of the year to go!
Quick note of those of you seeking to go up Aasgard Pass, almost all of the route up to the pass above the lake is in the snow now. Bring and ice axe! Day hike
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(It's my 2012 goal to file a trip report for every hike I take. Starting early, I guess.)
Seems yesterday...
(It's my 2012 goal to file a trip report for every hike I take. Starting early, I guess.)
Seems yesterday was the day for hiking, but while the masses were gathered at Lake Ingalls, solitude could be found at Colchuck Lake (you just had to look for your own private granite beach). The trail up is in good condition. Stream crossings were a breeze. A few wet patches here and there along the way, but nothing I would call mud. Only saw one dog on the "No Dogs" trail (unlike the 3 I encountered on the "No Dogs" Ingalls Way trail last weekend). I'm generally slower than molasses, but made pretty good time, at least up to the junction (1:15 for those 2.5 miles). The climb after (re)crossing Mountaineer Creek slowed me down, as did stopping to let larger (and younger and more chatty) groups pass me. (Probably took me another 1:30 to travel those 1.6 miles.) Saw lots of solo hikers (so I'm not the only one) going up and coming down as well. The setting here is nothing less than spectacular. The direct views of Asgard Pass and the Colchuck Glacier, not to mention Dragontail Peak in your face, are awe inspiring. I even found myself shedding a tear at the sheer beauty of the place. Plus there were larches! After a less than successful Enchantments trip (via Snow Lakes) and a cloudy day at Lake Ingalls (last week), it was finally nice to have a bluebird day at a (nearly) Enchantments Lake. |
Colchuck Lake and Dragontail Peak, by Glenn G. Schrempp.
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