Plan with
Confidence
A Northwest Forest Pass is required for parking here.
Backcountry camping is available by permit only from May 15 - October 31. Permits can be obtained via a lottery that opens in February. A limited number of same-day permits are given out at the Leavenworth Ranger station, usually at 7 am.
Path Type
Point to Point
The trail begins at the Stuart Lake Trailhead located 4 miles up Eightmile Road #7601. You'll follow this to the end of the road, off the Icicle Creek Road #7600.
From the trailhead, head south through the forest, wandering around the river. The trail will go through a lush forest with rock outcroppings near by as well. After 2.6 miles, you'll reach a junction with Colchuck Lake Trail #1599A. Head on the eastward, right, trail to continue on to Stuart Lake.
This section of trail offers varied terrain through forest, meadows and over some rock. Approximately a mile into this section you'll get to an area that gives you great views of a waterfall and surrounding peaks.
After 2.2 miles from the junction you'll reach Stuart Lake. This is a pristine lake that offers plenty of swimming options as well as great view of the surrounding peaks.
All Clear
From the trailhead to the fork between Colchuck and Stuart it was dry and dusty. After going on the specific trail to Stuart there are areas where brush has overgrown the trail and there are fallen trees in places, but overall a clear and easy trail to follow
All Clear
Set out to do Colchuck Lake and backtrack to camp at Lake Stuart. Got a late start and managed to get a good spot in the overnight spots, lot of cars at trailhead and definitely a lot of day hikers parking in the overnight spots. Made good time to Colchuck with the last 1.5 miles being the worst bit. No snow and trail is protected from the wind. Lake Stuart was beautiful even with a rain shower coming in. Plenty of spots to camp without being close to people. Bugs were present but not bad at all.
Looking for more condition reports?
Contributors