This beautiful and very popular
4-mile
trail is accessed from Stuart Lake Trail #1599 which starts at Stuart Lake Trailhead (3400′ elevation). The trail gradually climbs through forest along Mountaineer Creek and crosses creek at 1.5 miles on a log bridge.
How hard is Colchuck Lake hike?
How hard is the Colchuck Lake hike?
It’s hard
. I think it’s important to include that this hike is harder than it looks from its statistics alone. The first mile and a half doesn’t have much elevation gain, which makes the last three miles to the lake very steep in places, especially the last mile.
Can you drive up to Colchuck Lake?
To reach the trailhead, turn onto Icicle Creek Road from US2 on the very western edge of Leavenworth. Drive 8.4 miles and turn left onto Forest Service Road 7601. Follow the bumpy, sometimes potholed dirt road 3.7 miles to the Stuart Lake trailhead. Parking for about 20-30 cars and a toilet are available in the lot.
Can you swim in Colchuck Lake?
The lake was beautiful as ever, not much to say on that. There were maybe 20 -30 people hanging around when we arrived up top so we hiked along the lake for some privacy.
We all went swimming as it was miserably hot the whole way up, the lake is shockingly cold, but worth the panic and pain of the initial plunge.
Is Colchuck Lake Hike open?
Gate will reopen Spring of 2022 once road melts out from winter snowpack
. An overnight reservation permit is required from May 15 to October 31. SEE PARKING INFORMATION BELOW. This beautiful and very popular 4-mile trail is accessed from Stuart Lake Trail #1599 which starts at Stuart Lake Trailhead (3400′ elevation).
When can you hike lake Colchuck?
Colchuck Lake has a fairly short hiking season during the summer due to fierce winter conditions. I suggest
visiting in August
for less snow and a higher chance of getting a stunning snow-free reflection of the lake. However, you can’t go wrong visiting in October because many of the larch trees will be bright yellow!
Is Colchuck Lake kid friendly?
Hiking Colchuck Lake with Kids :
This hike is probably suitable for youngins over the age of 12
, although we did see one adventurous family with their two boys ages 6 and 8 (I’m guessing).
Can you hike Colchuck Lake in March?
This is a popular trail for backpacking, birding, and camping, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day.
The best times to visit this trail are March through October
. SEASONAL ROAD CLOSURE: Eightmile Road (FS 7601) closes seasonally.
Are there bears at Colchuck Lake?
Route beta — Colchuck Lake
Cons: May be very busy on the weekends, try to leave this one for the week days. Note that
bears and cougars are in the area
.
Can you sleep at Colchuck Lake trailhead?
The trail continues along western shore of lake to access campsites and the route up Aasgard Pass to the Enchantments. There are also campsites near north end of lake.
Overnight camping in this area requires a permit from May 15 – October 31
.
Is Colchuck Lake man made?
Dam. Colchuck Lake is
contained by a masonry dam
constructed in the late 1930s out of cement with a spillway opening at the center of the dam to control overflow.
Is Colchuck Lake an Alpine lake?
Colchuck Lake is one of the lakes that make up the Enchantments area of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness
, which was established in 1976 and consists of 391,988 acres.
Can you swim in the Enchantments?
Route:
For the broadest swim experience, do the Enchantment Traverse, a 21-mile hike starting at the Colchuck Lake Trailhead (Mountaineer Creek) and ending at the Snow Creek Trailhead
. See our topo map of the route.
Can you swim in Snow lake?
You can swim in the very clear water lake, but it is ice melt
, so keep this fact in mind before you jump in. Forget it in June unless you bring snowshoes. The lake is gorgeous with snow fields dipping into it almost all year long.
How do you get to Enchantment lakes?
To reach the trailhead, turn onto Icicle Creek Road from US2 on the very western edge of Leavenworth. Drive 8.4 miles and turn left onto Forest Service Road 7601. Follow the bumpy, sometimes potholed dirt road 3.7 miles to the Stuart Lake trailhead. Parking for about 20-30 cars and a toilet are available in the lot.
What pass do I need to hike Colchuck Lake?
- Length: 8.5 miles.
- Elevation Gain: 2,280 ft.
- Season: July – October.
- Trail Type: Out and Back.
- Difficulty: Moderate – Hard.
- Dog Friendly: No, strictly enforced.
- Pass Required: Northwest Forest Pass or a $5 day pass available at the parking lot.
Can you hike Colchuck Lake in December?
There are many sedans that drive through the potholes fine as well. Note the road to the parking lot is blocked by a locked gate about 4 miles from the trailhead in the winter (Nov to May most likely), so
if you want to hike the trail in the winter you will need to walk to the trailhead first
.
