Enchantment Lakes Hike via Colchuck Lake

The Enchantment Lakes Hike via Colchuck Lake begins at the Stuart Lake Trailhead (~2,930') at the end of Eightmile Road, 12 miles from Leavenworth via Icicle Creek Road. Follow the Stuart Lake Trail (#1599) south through mixed forest. At 2.1 miles, turn left onto the Colchuck Lake Trail (#1599A). Continue to a large boulder at 3.6 miles and bear right. Colchuck Lake (~5,570') is reached at approximately 4.5 miles, sitting beneath Dragontail Peak (8,852') and Colchuck Balanced Rock (8,202'). Follow the trail along the north shore to the far eastern end of the lake, where the maintained trail ends. Cross boulders and follow cairns southeast up Aasgard Pass — 2,300 vertical feet of talus and scree in approximately one mile. Stay left of the larch grove halfway up. Top out at Colchuck Pass (7,841') and descend into the Core Enchantments basin. Traverse the granite slabs by cairn through Inspiration Lake and Perfection Lake. Return by retracing the route. The descent of Aasgard Pass requires care — the talus is loose and the exposure increases with fatigue. Stay on the established cairned line and allow more time for the descent than the ascent.