Turn left here and trail soon crosses Mountaineer Creek again on a log bridge. The first mile and a half climbs very gradually in forest, first dense and dark, then thinner and lighter, within earshot and sometimes sightline of Mountaineer Creek. We had amazing views from the forest in its Autumn colors and the lakes were amazing. Click here for larger-size photo. We were definitely going at a medium pace, with a little bit of urgency to make it before sunrise! I think we arrived at Colchuck around 8:00 AM. In summer, cars fill not only the trailhead parking lot, but the road leading to it. 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. Steve managed to climb and dig his way back out and has documented his experience online at The Mountaineers' blog for others to learn about. The way to Colchuck Lake is steeper and more crowded. We started hiking at 8:40am and reached the lake by noon. Thanks . [6][7], On June 5, 2016 a 24-year-old man named Qi He fell into a waterfall hole and died. Officials say the woman fell in around 00:30am and because of the freezing temperatures of the water likely did not survive over 20 minutes. I only miss not being able to visit the upper lakes which should have been even more beautiful. Parking for about 20-30 cars and a toilet are available in the lot. From this fork it is another 1.5 miles. [3][4][5], On July 3, 2011, a 21-year-old student at Pacific Lutheran University named Julia A. Rutherford was glissading down Aasgard Pass with a group when she slipped and fell into a crevasse and into running glacial water. The trail is sometimes steep and rough for 1.5 miles from creek crossing to the lake, which is at 5500' elevation. I will be in Washington at the end of July and I have a question about hiking to lake colchuck. An inviting lake beneath the fearsome north face of one of Washington's highest and most imposing peaks. Begin on the Stuart Lake Trail #1599. For the first 1.7 miles, the hike is relatively easy with rolling hills and about 600 feet of elevation. It was my first time in the enchantments and a beautiful November day. Colchuck Lake: Stuart Lake Trailhead to first view of the lake 4.2 miles (one way) 2,200 ft elevation gain. It took us a little over 3 hours to reach Colchuck Lake. Stuart Lake is at 5600 feet elevation in the Enchantment Mountain range. Colchuck Lake, Washington State. save. A short distance later you near the creek again, but here its waters turn suddenly glassy smooth; a nice spot for a meditative pause before starting to climb once again. Highest Point: 5580 ft. After a fairly intense (ie. We had amazing views from the forest in its Autumn colors and the lakes were amazing. Immediately across the lake is the imposing massif of Dragontail Peak. Colchuck Lake is a lake in Washington and has an elevation of 5574 feet. Washington Trails Association is 501(c)(3) nonprofit. (2015-11-07). I only miss not being able to visit the upper lakes which should have been even more beautiful. Elevation: 8,705ft; Route: Colchuck Glacier; Length: 3,100ft; Grade: I/II; Short & Sweet. It separates Colchuck Lake (elevation 5,570 feet (1,700 m)) to the northwest from the Upper Enchantment Basin (elevation ~7,500 feet (2,300 m)) to the southeast. Gain: 2280 ft. Another alpine lake, Colchuck Lake is surrounded by mountains and lined with plenty of boulders to sit on and snack the afternoon away. It is the shorter and steeper of two primary hiking routes into the Enchantments, one of Washington's most popular hiking areas. As if Colchuck Lake alone weren’t 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. Colchuck Peak is a prominent peak in the Stuart Range and a worthy goal with some very fine climbs on its northeast side, though it is often overlooked in favor of Dragontail Peak immediately to the east with its spectacular north face. Stay left for Colchuck Lake. Starting Elevation (Stuart/Colchuck TH): 3,225 feet (980 meters) Ending Elevation (Snow Lakes TH): 1,400 feet (425 meters) Highest Elevation (Aasgard Pass): 7,841 feet (2,390 meters) [11][12], In May 1998 Steve Smith, a Mountaineers Climbing Education Manager, slipped into a waterfall under the snowpack at Aasgard Pass. The first time you round the corner and come out of the trees at Colchuck Lake is something of a religious experience. 4.5 miles with 2,300 ft. elevation gain Starting at the Stuart Lake trailhead, we hiked in to our campsite at Colchuck Lake. The first time you round the corner and come out of the trees at Colchuck Lake is something of a religious experience. Contributions to WTA are tax deductible, and we are committed to making the best use of every donation to our mission. Our tax identification number is EIN 91-0900134. Trail steepens after the bridge and at 2.5 miles the junction with Colchuck Lake Trail is reached. The trail is a bit of a jumble as you hop boulders in a large talus slope along the creek’s bank. The trail is sometimes steep and rough for 1.5 miles from creek crossing to the lake, which is at 5500' elevation. Trail No. Straight ahead the path to Stuart Lake rolls out, while the Colchuck Lake Trail #1599.1 breaks off to the left. Hiked in: Saturday, October 5, 2019 Colchuck Lake + Upper Enchantments Alpine Lakes Wilderness Roundtrip: ~16 miles Highest pt: 7,841 ft Elevation gain: 4,300 ft Ah, October… the perfect fall hiking conditions for dramatic yellow larches, super comfortable trekking temperatures and a high prob I see that a NW forest pass is required. Follow the trail to the left and after a short stretch in the trees, come to another log bridge that takes you across a narrow, turbulent section of Mountaineer Creek. CHS Tacoma September Hike: Trip will initially open to Tacoma Branch Conditioning Hiking Students. Length 9 mi Elevation gain 2283 ft Route type Out & back. Suitable Activities: Day Hiking; Seasons: July, August, September, October; Weather: View weather forecast; Difficulty: Moderate; Length: 9.0 mi; Elevation Gain: 2,100 ft The Colchuck Lake route via the Stuart Lake Trailhead is a fantastic way to see a gorgeous part of Washington state, plus Aasgard Pass looming above the lake itself. 2 of the pretty substantial waterfalls along the 2nd half of the trail. At first, the trail switchbacks gently, but the closer it gets to the lake, the steeper and rockier it gets. To get into the Enchantment Lakes Core Zone, you can either depart via the Snow Lakes Trail, which is roughly 10 miles in one-way and 5,830 feet of elevation gain, or you can make this more direct trek via Colchuck Lake, which is roughly 3 miles shorter one-way with a trailhead located 1,500 feet higher. Posted on November 25, 2017 April 15, 2018 by Kyuri. On August 6, 2010, a 52-year-old man was hiking and glissading with his son when he slipped and fell about 15 feet into a waterfall on Aasgard Pass. Lake Colchuck Question. The Colchuck Glacier which lies on the northeast slopes of the peak melts into Colchuck Lake. Info COVID-19: Learn about our most up-to-date guidance for participants and leaders on our COVID-19 Response page. We spent about 45 min at the lake eating lunch and taking photos then headed down at 12:45. 2 comments. After the bridge, the route steepens and grows rockier, a small taste of what’s to come over the hike’s second half. [8][9][10], One June 5, 2017 a 19-year-old man named Benjamin Gore from Mercer Island was presumed dead after glissading into the same waterfall hole around 5 PM. Elvin R. Joh… The name was likely coined by Bill and Peggy Stark, who explored the Enchantments extensively in the mid-20th Century, and who gave Nordic mythological names to many of the lakes that previously had been named by A. H. Sylvester, a U.S. Geological Survey topographer supervisor of Wenatchee National Forest in the early 1900s who is credited with discovering the region. The official naming rulings of the US Board in the 1960s resulted in a mixture of the two name sets being adopted as official. The hike to snow lakes is no kids stuff. Three quarters of a mile later, the trail flattens out and drops a little before reaching a trail junction. At several spots along the way, views open up, first to the valley you’ve just climbed out of, then up to the toothy ridge of Dragontail Peak. Suddenly, laid out beneath your feet are the icy waters of the lake–-deep blue in the shade, bright aquamarine in sunlight–-while high above you at the far end of the lake, the twin spires of Dragontail and Colchuck Peaks seem to crowd out the very sky. Note the steps kicked into the slope and the two climbers we followed. Parking anywhere else along Road 7601 is not allowed. Here we crossed our first bridge and the trail starts to climb. Glacier which lies on the very western edge of Leavenworth parking Restriction: allowed. Mountaineers, based on availability, 7-10 days prior to date of the Board! There are beautiful views of the us Board in the other elevations, use the tab navigation the. Route: Colchuck Glacier which lies on the northeast slopes of the Lake, is! End at a medium pace, with about 2,200 feet of elevation can improve or add this! The alpine lakes Wilderness a few weeks back down at 12:45 tax deductible and... 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