Colchuck Peak 8,705' May 19/20 2001

After our dayhike the week before up to Colchuck Lake, Doerte and I just had to return and try for the peak. Dan Cervelli was hiking in later in the day to join us, which made for an ideal strong party of three. This time, with overnight packs, it took 2 hours, 25 minutes to go the 4.5 miles to the lake. We were amazed that most of the snow had melted off the trail in just one week. We camped on dry ground where the week before there had been three feet of snow.

A strong front was blowing through, and although it remained mostly sunny, the clouds moved extremely fast by the summits of Colchuck and Dragontail high above. Around the corner, to Mt. Stuart, the valley was socked in with clouds.

I climbed up to the moraine, below the remains of the Colchuck Glacier, to check out the conditions. I found lots of wind, and extremely soft afternoon snow, postholing to my waist sometimes. Two skiers ascended with me and had a wild run down. I was amazed at their skill.

Dan arrived later in the day and we made plans to start at first light, 5 a.m., to ensure we had firm snow up the Col. The fast moving clouds became less as the day came to a close. We were hopeful that Sunday would be clear and calm. I couldn’t imagine being on the summit ridge in the wind! We woke in the middle of the night to hear only the silence of the sound of running water! The wind had stopped.

It’s about a mile around the lake on the trail to where the route begins to go up to the Colchuck Glacier. The snow was firm and perfect for steps. Two parties of two ascended with us. We were actually a loosely connected party of seven. Beyond the moraine, we stopped and put on crampons for the steepest section. To our right was Colchuck Peak and to the left was Dragontail. Doerte and Dan soon left me behind heading for the saddle at the top of the Col. We stayed in the middle to avoid any falling rock.

At the saddle, we found some sun for the first time, and enjoyed a nice break, before continuing up the sometimes-steep rock, snow, and ice to the rock summit at 8,705’. Total time up was 3 hours, 45 minutes from camp. We had a wonderful view of Dragontail next door at 8,840’ as well as Mount Stuart, Argonaut Peak, Sherpa Peak, Mount Cashmere and Mt. Daniel. Glacier Peak, and other big volcanoes were sharp, clear, and close! We all spent a long time on the summit, talking, having lunch, and were reluctant to head down.

The descent down to the Col was slow and careful with self-belays. A lot scarier down than up! We had a nice series of long glissades back down to the still frozen Colchuck Lake. We were surprised all the skiers were just starting up, but I guess they waited for the softest snow.

A nice early season climb, with mixed snow and rock. The Col gets icy late in the season. Strong climbers can also do Dragontail from same saddle. We saw one party going that way. Dragontail can also be climbed via Aasgard Pass.

Colchuck Lake May 13, 2001

Beginning at the Stuart Lake Trailhead, down the 8 Mile Lake Road, the Stuart Lake Trail follows Mountaineer Creek. The trail maintains a steady grade for 2.5 miles until it reaches a marked junction. To the right will take you to Lake Stuart in two miles, or to the left to Colchuck Lake. The snow really begins at this point, but the path is easy to follow after it crossed Mountaineer Creek for the last time on a narrow bridge. Good boots and gaiters are a must to stay dry.

The trail rises steeply for two miles and 1,270’ up to Colchuck Lake, 7,750’, a beautiful, (but frozen on this day) blue-green lake below big Colchuck Peak, and Dragontail Peak, towering almost 1,000’ above. Climbers can ascend the Colchuck Col. to bag both of these peaks in a day if the conditions are good and they are fast. To the left is Aasgard Pass, the climber’s route to the Enchantments and Snow Lakes.

We say a couple parties come down both the Pass and the Col., little specks on the snow. The skiers we talked to complained of mushy snow, rocks, and bad conditions. One guy came in the Snow Lake Trail, over Aasgard Pass, and out Mountaineer Creek, a 22 mile plus trip the hard way! On a day trip to boot! Doerte and I did 9 miles and 2,270’ for the day.

The trail is in good shape to Colchuck Lake. Log bridges are icy, and there was a small accumlation of snow all the way (1 to 6 inches). Heavy clouds were massed to the west but didn't come to obscure our excellent view. We traversed halfway around the lake and climbed tedious snowy boulders to the Colchuck Glacier. If you go now, you might benefit from our ladder of steps in the thigh deep snow! At the col, we scrambled amidst deep snow and boulders to a secondary summit, about 50 feet below the true summit. The view of Stuart and Argonaut was gorgeous, and Dragontail looked as forbidden as they come! Once down from the lake, we saw the cloud ceiling had dropped to obscure the peak. A peak stolen in a rare November weather window, yes!

Randy and I headed over to the east side this Sunday to try to escape the rains. We got a little drizzle but brief periods of sun also. There were still low clouds that obscured the views Stuart, Dragontail, and Colchuck Peaks. It’s a long drive over to the Leavenworth area. If this is a day trip for you, you might spend as much time in the car as on the trail. I think it will be my far-away hiking trip for the year. We both agreed that Colchuck was the prettier lake. It was blue-green in color from the glacial silt in the water. We got occasional views of Aasgard Pass and the Colchuck glacier. Heard some loud rock-fall from this glacial area. At the very north end of the lake there is a foundation for a small log cabin. It didn’t seem very old. Whoever was making it never got past putting together the foundation. There are some nice views to the north and Colchuck Lake from that spot. Not really much fall color yet at these lakes. A large bird of prey flew over Colchuck Lake while we were there.

If you’re interested in swimming, you ought to try Stuart Lake instead. It was warmer than Colchuck Lake. However both lakes were too cold for me to want to dip my twiggy body in. There are some nice small sandy beaches at the north side of Stuart Lake not far from the trail. I saw a lot of little specks of fools gold mixed in with the sand. Witnessed some X-Rated activity down on the beach. You might want to be careful bring young children to the area, because I saw a couple of mating dragonflies in the reeds.

Other animal sightings: a lot of tiny chipmunks begging for food among the rocks at the shore. Also: a bumblebee got under my shirt. Frantic shedding of three layers of clothing kept me from getting stung. We also saw a dog on the trail! It was well behaved, but that didn’t prevent the owner from receiving a ticket from a ranger since no dogs are allowed.