The Colchuck Lake Trail is one of the most popular and scenic hiking trails in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, located near Leavenworth, Washington. This trail offers breathtaking views of Colchuck Lake, Dragontail Peak, and Aasgard Pass. We loved this hike, it was long, it was hard and we got one of the last 3 parking spots at 5:30A. Thus hiking with no coffee, no breakfast contributed to this being very difficult. We had water and food for the trail. Stunning is the best way to describe this hike.
Trail Overview
- Distance: Approximately 8 miles round trip
- Elevation Gain: About 2,300 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
- Trailhead: Stuart Lake Trailhead (also known as the Eightmile/Colchuck Lake Trailhead)
Getting There
- Driving Directions: From Leavenworth, take US-2 west and turn left onto Icicle Road. Follow Icicle Road for about 8.4 miles and turn left onto Forest Service Road 7601. Continue for about 4 miles to the Stuart Lake Trailhead. The road can be rough, so a high-clearance vehicle is recommended.
- Parking: The trailhead has limited parking, so arrive early, especially on weekends. A Northwest Forest Pass is required to park at the trailhead. We left our hotel at 4:30A and parked by 5:30A.
Hiking the Trail
- Trailhead to Junction:
- The trail starts at the Stuart Lake Trailhead and follows the Stuart Lake Trail (#1599).
- After about 2.5 miles, you will reach a junction. Take the left fork to continue on the Colchuck Lake Trail (#1599.1).
- Climb to the Lake:
- The trail begins to climb more steeply after the junction. You’ll encounter rocky sections and switchbacks.
- As you ascend, you’ll cross several streams and enjoy views of Mountaineer Creek and the surrounding forest.
- Arrival at Colchuck Lake:
- After the challenging climb, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of Colchuck Lake.
- The lake is surrounded by towering peaks, including Dragontail Peak and Colchuck Peak.
- The turquoise waters of the lake are mesmerizing, and the area is perfect for a rest, picnic, or photography.