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View Trail Map in AppA permit is required for all visitors; day-use permits are free and self-issued at the trailhead. Overnight permits for the Colchuck Zone are distributed by annual lottery at recreation.gov. A Northwest Forest Pass or equivalent is required for parking.
Path Type
There and Back
The Colchuck Lake route 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 along Mountaineer Creek. At 2.1 miles, reach a signed junction and turn left onto the Colchuck Lake Trail (#1599A) — straight continues to Stuart Lake. Continue through forest for 1.5 miles to an unsigned junction at a large boulder at 3.6 miles; bear right. Colchuck Lake (~5,570') is reached at approximately 4.1 miles, where the trail opens onto the shoreline. The lake sits beneath the sheer northeast face of Dragontail Peak (8,852') and the Colchuck Glacier moraine at the far eastern end, with Aasgard Pass visible as the talus field rising steeply to the southeast. The trail continues along the north and east shore for views across the lake. Return on the same trail.
All Clear
All Clear
All Clear
Started the hike just before noon. Trailhead parking lot was full and had to park along FR7601.
Crowded hike and passed a bunch of people. Majority of the trail was dry except for a few soggy areas with puddles in the trail and a couple stream crossings. Easy to keep feet dry though. Flying bugs were present and would swarm head when standing still, so bring bug spray or bug net, especially around the lake.
All Clear
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