Colchuck Lake Trail #1599A

Road #7601 accessing Stuart / Colchuck trailhead is CLOSED(11/1/2023)
The road accesses Eightmile and Colchuck/Stuart trailheads. The road is closed to vehicles mid-fall through spring to protect the roadbed from damage and prevent hazardous travel on the steep exposed snow covered road.

Colchuck Lake remains patchy with limited dry camping available. So please be sure to camp and travel on durable surfaces during this early season period. All toilets are now snow-free, so please plan on using these to reduce the human waste impact. 5/29/23

An overnight reservation permit is required from May 15 to October 31.

SEE PARKING INFORMATION BELOW.

This beautiful and very popular 4-mile trail is accessed from Stuart Lake Trail #1599 which starts at Stuart Lake Trailhead (3400' elevation). The trail gradually climbs through forest along Mountaineer Creek and crosses creek at 1.5 miles on a log bridge. The trail steepens after the bridge and at 2.5 miles the junction with Colchuck Lake Trail is reached.

Turn left here and trail soon crosses Mountaineer Creek again on a log bridge. The trail is sometimes steep and rough for 1.5 miles from creek crossing to the lake, which is at 5500' elevation. There are beautiful views of the lake -- with Dragontail Peak and Colchuck Peak rising 3,000 feet above south end of lake.

The trail continues along western shore of lake to access campsites and the route up Aasgard Pass to the Enchantments. There are also campsites near north end of lake. Overnight camping in this area requires a permit from May 15 - October 31. See Enchantment Lakes permit information.

DRONES ARE PROHIBITED IN ALL WILDERNESS AREAS

DOGS ARE PROHIBITED

DOGS are prohibited on Colchuck Lake trail, Stuart Lake trail and within the Enchantment Permit Area. Dogs, and all pets, are prohibited.

Dogs whose sole purpose is to provide therapy, comfort, emotional support or crime deterrent DO NOT QUALIFY AS SERVICE DOGS under the regulation and are NOT ALLOWED. Defined by Department of Justice regulations 28 C.F.R. Part 35.136.

This trail is within Alpine Lakes Wilderness.

Title:	Colchuck Lake
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Title:	Colchuck Lake -2
Caption:	Colchuck Lake from Aasgard Pass
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At a Glance

Current Conditions:	Annually, the gate on Road #7601 near the junction with Icicle Road is closed and locked for the winter season. The road accesses Eightmile and Colchuck/Stuart trailheads. The road is closed to vehicles mid-fall through spring to protect the roadbed from damage and prevent hazardous travel on the steep exposed snow covered road. The gate reopens each spring once the road melts out from the winter snowpack. The route from Colchuck Lake to Aasgard Pass is steep and dangerous when snow covered. See Current conditions information.
Reservations:	An overnight reservation permit is required from May 15 to October 31. Wilderness permits for day-use are required. The self-issuing day permits are available at trailheads.
Fees:	$5 per vehicle/per day or valid Recreation Pass required on vehicle at trailhead. See parking information below.
Permit Info:	Alpine Lake Wilderness permit required. These are self-issued at the trailhead. Special overnight permits are required May 15 - Oct. 31 for the unique Enchantments Area.
Restrictions:	Wilderness regulations apply. See: Alpine Lakes Wilderness Regulations Booklet (PDF File) Mandatory permit area. Wilderness Trail: Non-motorized, no bicycles. Group size limit 8. Dogs are prohibited on Colchuck Lake trail, Stuart Lake trail and within the Enchantment Permit Area. Dogs, and all pets, are prohibited, except for Service Dogs as defined by Department of Justice regulations 28 C.F.R. Part 35.136. Dogs whose sole purpose is to provide therapy, comfort, emotional support or crime deterrent do not qualify as service dogs. Campfires are prohibited. Trail is closed to stock. Designated hiker campsites at Colchuck Lake.
Closest Towns:	Leavenworth, WA
Passes:	A valid Recreation Pass required at Stuart Lake trailhead.
Information Center:	Wenatchee River Ranger District

General Information

Directions:

Trailhead: From west end of Leavenworth on Highway 2, turn south on Icicle Road. At approximately 8.4 miles turn left on Forest Service Road 7601 (Bridge Creek Campground is near junction). Follow the sometimes rough and steep dirt road 3.7 miles to Stuart Lake trailhead. Parking for about 40 cars and a toilet is available (no water). Northwest Forest Pass required.

General Notes:

Green Trails Map - #209S The Enchantments

USGS Map - Cashmere Mountain/Enchantment Lakes

Vicinity Map of Enchantment Permit Area Zones

Parking:

Parking along FS Road 7601 is now allowed, but only on the right side of the road (going up). For vehicles parking on the road or in the parking area -- a NW Forest Pass, America the Beautiful Pass or the Overnight Visitor Parking Pass that comes with Enchantments overnight permit must be on display on your vehicle’s dashboard. Day Passes can be purchased at the trailhead, and the pass must be displayed on the dashboard of the vehicle, even if parking on the road.

Day hikers are encouraged to park on the road or in the island of parking area. Leave designated overnight parking for permit holders.

Consider carpooling, riding a bike or have someone shuttle you to the trailheads to further reduce impacts and overcrowding. If you have any questions please call the Leavenworth Ranger Station at (509) 548-2550.