Hike to Colchuck Lake in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness

Go on a rewarding hike to Colchuck Lake in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness for breathtaking views of a crystal-clear lake surrounded by rugged peaks.

Last updated: May 2024

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Free to hike, but parking requires a pass
More than 500 Miles from you
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Description

Colchuck Lake, nestled in the eastern foothills of the Cascade Range near Leavenworth, offers a challenging and rewarding hike through the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. This 8.5-mile round trip trail takes you up to a stunning alpine lake with the rocky Dragontail Peak as its backdrop. Starting from the Stuart Lake Trailhead, the hike involves a significant elevation gain of 2,650 feet, making it a strenuous yet worthwhile adventure. The hike is best done from mid-July to October when the trails and roads are clear of snow. Although dogs are not allowed, the trail provides an excellent opportunity to experience the natural beauty of the area, including a picturesque wooden bridge crossing, dense forests, and a challenging final ascent with breathtaking views.

What's included

Perfect for

For solo

For two

For groups

Outdoorsy

Challenging

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Itinerary

Start at Stuart Lake Trailhead. Check the trail map and fill out a self-serve permit. Begin the hike on the Stuart Lake Trail.
Wooden Bridge Crossing. Hike 1.5 miles with 600 feet elevation gain. Cross the wooden bridge over Mountaineer Creek.
Trail Junction. Continue for 0.6 miles with 450 feet elevation gain. Turn left at the junction for Colchuck Lake.
Final Ascent. Hike the last 2.1 miles with 1,100 feet elevation gain. Reach Colchuck Lake and enjoy the view of Dragontail Peak.

Location

Stuart And Colchuck Lake Trailheads, Leavenworth, WA 98826

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Packing List

Comfortable hiking shoes
Plenty of water and snacks
Sunscreen and hat
Layers of clothing
Trekking poles (optional)
Camera
Toilet paper (for backcountry privies)

4.8 ● Google reviews

Beautiful lake views worth the hard hike. Parking fills up fast! We got there around 7am, and got a decent spot. Walked about 0.4 miles to the trail start. I'm not an avid hiker and this took me 2.5 hours to the lake, spent 2 hours on the lake, and about 2 hours back to the car. Pack plenty of water, protein snacks as its a fairly difficult hike up. The elevation gain. Hiking poles would have been great on the way down. Highly recommend hiking boots/shoes.

Parking is hard to find because people are camping nearby. Besides that, the hiking trail is clean and safe, with many people on the trail. My advice is to go early, around 4 or 5 in the morning, during spring and summer. It's better to find parking on the street if you arrive early. The hike is pretty hard, especially for beginners, but if you have some experience, you'll find it a little challenging but doable. It's a 5-mile hike to get to the mountain lake at the top, which takes about 3 to 3.5 hours for an intermediate hiker. You can swim and relax at the lake; it's beautiful and serene. The overall hike is a 10-mile round trip. To avoid parking issues, try to get there early. Otherwise, you'll have to park a mile down and add an extra mile to your walk to reach the trailhead.

Highly recommend this hike! It was a steep incline to see the lake but overall an exciting and beautiful experience. I would recommend getting there by 530-6am to get a parking spot or else it’ll be a trek to get to the trailhead. Bring plenty of water and snacks as it took about 4 hours to get to the lake and about 2 hours to get back to the cars. Plan ahead and enjoy the gorgeous view at the end. Don’t forget to swim in the lake! It was def worth the cold plunge!

The parking situation at the trailhead was great, with plenty of spots available even for overnight stays, but make sure you have the Northwest Forest Pass. The 3-Mile road to the trailhead is manageable but bumpy, so be cautious if you're driving a sedan. The hike to Colchuck Lake is about 9 miles round-trip, with an elevation gain of 2,600 feet that feels steeper due to some technical sections. The views along the way are beautiful, but the real highlight is the stunning Colchuck Lake itself. It took us around six hours, and I'd recommend an early start to catch the best light on the lake’s vibrant colors. A rewarding hike with breathtaking scenery!

The hike was well worth it and beautiful at the end. We had two deer cross our path and one mountain goat at the top. The hike is pretty flat until you take the left to Colchuck where it begins to get more difficult. We were fine with good hiking boots, but poles would have been nice. Highly recommend!

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