Experience this 9.0-mile out-and-back trail near Leavenworth, Washington.
Generally considered a challenging route
, it takes an average of 4 h 34 min to complete.
How long of a hike is Colchuck?
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.
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
.
How do you hike lake Colchuck?
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).
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
.
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).
Is Colchuck Lake man made?
The lakes are man-made
(so is Colchuck, but you’d never know it) and as the water is drawn down it leaves rings around the shore. We stopped to filter water in preparation for the second hardest part of the trip: six miles of featureless trail descending 4,000 feet.
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.
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
.
What town is Colchuck Lake in?
Colchuck Lake is a freshwater reservoir lake located on the western slope of The Enchantments, in Chelan County, Washington. The lake is located approximately 15 miles from the city of
Leavenworth, Washington
and sits on the southeast corner of the Icicle Creek subbasin.
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!
What is the elevation of Colchuck Lake?
5,570′
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.
Are there Grizzlies in Washington?
Grizzly bears once occurred in most of Washington, but are now restricted to remote areas of the Selkirk Mountains and certain places near the northern border of Washington between these two ecosystems
. These areas support the best remaining seclusion habitat in the state.
Does human urine attract bears?
Yes, Bears Do Seem to Be Attracted to Human Urine
Bears have incredibly powerful smelling capabilities, and this means that they will be able to smell urine very clearly even if you try to dilute the smell. It simply isn’t a good idea to try to pee too close to your campsite if you want to keep things safe.
Do you need bear spray in Washington?
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife encourages people to keep bear spray accessible when living in rural areas or recreating outdoors
.
