Colchuck Lake, Aasgard Pass — Friday, Aug. 22, 1997

Central Cascades > Leavenworth Area

We did Aasgard as part of a dayhike beginning at the Lake Stuart trialhead. Aasgard is completly clear of snow and the lakes at the upper end of The Enchantments are thawed with only a few ""icebergs"" remaining in them. We turned aroung at the ridge seperating the upper lakes from the lower lakes at 3PM and made it back to the trailhead at 8:30. When ascending Aasgard it's easy to lose sight of the cairns. Take a bearing on the patch of trees in the middle of the pass and stay to the left side of that patch on ascent. Otherwise you'll find yourself, as I did, in the cliffs to the right of the little green gem. Lots of slick rock and mossy alternaives here. Good place to buff your epidermal layer or worse. The only thing I would have done differently would be to have started earlier. The first two miles to the Colchuck trailhead could have been done with a headlamp if necessary. Shortly after the Colchuck trail begins there is a detour across a logjam and through a boulder field. Nice dayhike with about 6250' total gain. Back in Leavenworth you'll add a little Ibuprofen to that sauerkraut and life will be good!