It's 8.0 miles round trip to Colchuck Lake, with about 2,200 feet of elevation gain. 705 2nd Ave, Suite 300 Stats according to WTA website: 8 miles roundtrip, 2280 ft elevation gain, high point 5580 ft. Our group thinks this may have been inaccurate for the distance. Turn south onto Icicle Creek Road, which is well maintained for the most part. If not, return the way you came. Colchuck Lake is a magnificent color of blue (from glacial till) and offers great overnight camping. While the final ascent to the lake is steep and rough in places, Colchucks overall elevation gain of 2,300 feet makes its spectacular scenery accessible to hikers of almost any ability. With an elevation gain of over 2000 feet, the hike to Colchuck lake is challenging. If you can, head to Leavenworth the night before and spend the night or camp. To reach the trailhead, turn onto Icicle Creek Road from US2 on the very western edge of Leavenworth. From the town, the trailhead to the Colchuck Lake hike is a 40-minute drive. The parking lot is located at the very end of the gravel road. One of the least obvious route junctures is at a large tarn -– it’s a common mistake to follow the well-trodden dirt to the right, but the trail actually proceeds over rocky slopes to the left. The lake was completely snow covered, frozen and arctic-like. From the lake you can view Aasgard Pass which is for more serious hikers/backpackers to enter the Enchantments and that have received a pass to camp overnight. Honestly, I am shocked, amazed, and impressed at how some people get up, but they do. Many layers and gloves highly recommended. There are also campsites near north end of lake. Otherwise, just take it slow. At some points along this portion of the hike you will catch a glimpse of Mountaineer Creek. At the time in august it was perfect, the trail condition was a great intro to what is now what I consider my favorite alpine forest I’ve hiked into since being in Washington. To find the trail from Leavenworth, take US2 from the western side of Leavenworth. Total time 11 hours C2C. It begins at the Stuart Lake Trailhead. It was amazing to have the trail and lake to ourselves - quite the opposite of the other seasons. Slippery due to ice patches throughout the trail. Colchuck Lake was the destination I wanted to spend my birthday. I did this hike in July 2020 (as part of the Enchantments 23.6 miles from trailhead to trailhead). At the trailhead. From the lake you can view Aasgard Pass which is for more serious hikers/backpackers to enter the Enchantments and that have received a pass to camp overnight. Do wear gaiters for the occasional posthole or tree well. The parking area can be busy, as visitors access the Enchantments and Stuart Lake from this trailhead. The trip to the lake is just under 4 mi (6.44 km). As if Colchuck Lake alone werent enough of a draw, it is one of the two gateways to the Enchantments, and the trailhead also accesses Stuart Lake, an easier and equally awesome destination. Took the "winter route" from Icicle Creek Road up to Colchuck Lake which adds 8 miles. Day 1: Start at the Stuart Lake Trailhead and follow for 2.3 miles. We ended up snowshoeing down with the last 6 miles in the dark with the moon illuminating the snow here and there. Poles and spikes are not NEEDED, but probably helpful in some sections. The winter route is in super condition. For the most part, you are hiking through a forest. recommend attempts at proper hiking footwear and winter clothing (crazy what i saw today...) and dont act like you’re late late to an important date (seriously self centered, rude, and dangerous); right of way goes to those going uphill. We saw many post holes from a prior day - must have been a calorie, thigh-burning, suffer-fest. iked Mount Ellinor via the upper trailhead and the winter route up today, and the summer route down in beautiful bluebird conditions! Colchuck Lake Trail starts at Stuart Lake trailhead off of Forest Service Road 7601, which can be accessed from Icicle Creek Road. The last pic shows the road condition just below the upper TH. The Colchuck Lake hike is undoubtedly one of the PNW's best and is VFC's favorite, aside from what sits beyond the lakes in the Enchantments. Parking is only allowed in the Eightmile and Stuart/Colchuck Trailhead Parking Lots. "Gateway to the Enchantments." Tucked between that pair of precipitous peaks is the Colchuck Glacier, one of the many icy sources feeding the chilling waters of the lake. I slip and slide on most things - forget about ice and snow, I find wet dirt, rocks, and logs a hazard to my joints, knees, and face when I plant, so I am overly aggressive on my traction. I was really looking forward to seeing Colchuck Lake, with its green coloring, against the snowy backdrop, but alas, that was not to be. I slipped multiple times, even as a self-proclaimed avid hiker. Colchuck Lake; The black fly population was out like I haven't seen in a long time, they would literally swarm you from the trailhead to the Lake. Two weeks ago, we headed up to Leavenworth for the weekend. We opted for summer climbing boots and 12 points. Hiked 11/7. This is a good place to get gas and any last minute snacks before continuing Icicle Creek Road and then Forest Service Road-7601 that leads to the Stuart Lake trailhead. Colchuck Lake is a beautiful, blue lake with dramatic peaks in the background. Thankfully you have plenty of good options that are very close to the Snow Lakes Trailhead and the Stuart Lake Trailhead, which is popular for the Colchuck Lake route. The first time you round the corner and come out of the trees at Colchuck Lake is something of a religious experience. The entire trail was already broken in and had a decent bootpack. The first part of the trail follows a creek for about one mile to a log footbridge. Use poles. No snow on trail until the very end and even then, it was just a trace. The trail continues along the lakeshore another two thirds of a mile, at times rough and a little hard to follow. On hot days, standing at the midpoint of the bridge, hikers can catch some welcome relief from the breeze coming off the rushing whitewater of the creek. At 2.2 miles take a left at the junction with the Colchuck Lake Trail #1599.1. Please note that it's a heavily ticketed and towed area so be sure to park properly. trail has slippery frost and ice near the top and spikes were great. Leavenworth also provides a strong offering of sausages for pre-hike dinner. Washington Trails Association is 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Layer up and bring a hat/gloves as it gets pretty chilly on top. While the final ascent to the lake is steep and rough in places, Colchuck’s overall elevation gain of 2,300 feet makes its spectacular scenery accessible to hikers of almost any ability. Trail is in decent condition though, very rocky and icy at some points. Easy plunge stepping down. The first time you round the corner and come out of the trees at Colchuck Lake is something of a religious experience. While the final ascent to the lake is steep and rough in places, Colchuck’s overall elevation gain of 2,300 feet makes its spectacular scenery accessible to hikers of almost any ability. Truly beautiful. But it put us close to the Colchuck and Stuart Lake Trailheads for an early start on Sunday. With snow cover on the glacier, it is an easy 3 to 4 hour undertaking from a camp at Colchuck Lake, or can be done in a day from the trailhead. Turn left and drive past the campground, cross a bridge over Icicle Creek and continue past the Eightmile Lake Trailhead (which is 3 miles in). The top gets pretty chilly, especially with cloud cover. Going up was not too bad however the latter part (closest to the lake) has some steeper grades. After climbing a quick 1,100 ft from the valley base, you'll reach Colchuck Lake. Leavenworth is quirky little town filled with Bavarian facades—very touristy. This glacier melt lake is a tucked away gem within with the Enchantments trail. Without hourly reports, an unwitting hiker might show up and twist their ankle on a rock that has been loosened in the last 60 minutes or they might be caught unawares by the last remnants of a small snow patch and - having not been told to pack microspikes, crampons, ice skates, … Subscribe to our free email newsletter for hiking events, news, gear reviews and more. From Seattle, take WA 522-E to US2-E which will drop you into the small, Bavarian themed town of Leavenworth. Finally hitting the lake, our group found the perfect lunch spot overlooking Dragontail Peak, Aasgard Pass and Colchuck Glacier/Peak. Some people are looking down at the trail so as not to fall and don’t see an oncoming hiker until you are 5 ft away from each other. Unfortunately it rained the day of our hike. The scenery was an absolutely gorgeous winter wonderland. Once you reach Colchuck lake, you will be rewarded with beautiful views of the blue/green lake with the peaks towering behind it. Colchuck Lake: Getting to the Trailhead. The first glance you get rounding the corner to Colchuck Lake is an awe inspiring moment. It’s much colder than trailhead. This is a rather small town but easy to find on the map. Cold, wear layers of sweaters. not a lot of people! You will need to turn off of US2 onto Icicle Road. This lake is a real butt-kicker hike but an oh so worth-it … After one final steep stretch, the trail takes a jog to the right, drops into a small swale and suddenly, there you are at one of the finest lake views in the Cascades. There is a NO PARKING restriction for the entirety of Road 7601, from the start at Icicle Road 7600 to its terminus at Stuart Lake Trailhead. If you’re kind of in the middle like me, you’ll also be fine! It’s about 9 miles and I’ve never hiked with this significant elevation change. Looking forward to go again in the summer. www.nimitpatel.com. So don’t get your panties in a twist just because the uphill hiker doesn’t always pass first. 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