Colchuck Lake Hike: A Guide for the Popular Washington Trail
If you’ve ever done any research on the best hikes in the Pacific Northwest, there’s no doubt about it that you’ve seen the Colchuck Lake hike.
This magical, teal alpine lake sits high in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness of Washington’s Cascade Mountain range.
It acts as the gateway to the famous Enchantments and provides you with a sneak peek of what’s to come beyond Aasgard Pass.
From mountain views to roaming mountain goats, you’ll see a little bit of everything on this hike.
In this post, I’ve got all of the details and answers to your questions so that you can be prepared to see Colchuck Lake.
Colchuck Lake Hike Details
Distance: 9 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,400 feet
Difficulty: Hard
Type: Out & Back
Estimated Time: 5.5 hours
This challenging 9-mile hike leads you through the woods of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness to a beautiful, aquamarine lake.
It’s a very popular destination in northern Washington and there’s no question as to whether you’ll see other people.
Standing tall behind Colchuck Lake are Dragontail Peak and Colchuck Peak.
These massive mountains act as the guardians of The Enchantments, which lie just beyond them, but is only reached after an incredibly difficult climb.
But if you’re not feeling up for the full-day, 20+ mile Enchantment hike, a day trip to Colchuck Lake is perfect.
Arrive early to the trailhead and set out, preparing to be surrounded by beauty and excited to have the chance to see mountain goats.
In just 5 to 6 hours, you’ll be back at your car, ready to fill all of your friends in on how epic of a hike you just completed.
The Trail to Colchuck Lake
Below you’ll find a detailed guide to the entire trail leading to Colchuck Lake.
You’ll find every detail you need to know to ensure that you have a fun and safe hike.
The Start
After you’ve found your hard-to-come-by parking spot, make your way over to the start of the trail where you’ll see a large information board.
This is where you’ll need to fill out your free, self-issued day-use permit for your group.
After you’ve done so, start making your way up the trail and notice that it immediately starts to gain elevation.
It’s preparing you for what’s to come because there aren’t too many flat spots along this trail.
After just about a mile, you’ll come to a wooden bridge that crosses over the roaring Mountaineer Creek.
Continue on the trail, through the woods, and appreciate the shade that the trees provide for a hot summer day.
Just another mile later, you’ll come to the split where you’ll turn off to head to Colchuck Lake.
Stuart Lake Split
Two miles into your hike, you’ll come to a junction that will lead you to either Colchuck Lake or Stuart Lake.
Some hikers choose to add Stuart Lake to their hike, which I’ll cover more in-depth down below.
But if you’re sticking with just the one lake, take a left and continue on the trail.
There is a sign here to direct you and make sure that you don’t miss the turn.
Continue on for just about 1/4 mile and you’ll spot another wooden bridge over the creek that you’ll need to cross.
Bridge Over Mountaineer Creek
You’ve now reached the second bridge on the trail and have successfully hiked over 2 miles, meaning you’re just over halfway to the lake.
Before crossing, look up and see the craggy peaks peering over the tall trees.
This bridge is pretty narrow and leads you onto a large rock that can become sketchy if there are other people on it.
Be really careful here and when you’re stepping back onto the trail because the river below will whisk you away if you fell in.
After you’ve crossed the bridge, you’ll see a huge boulder field waiting for you. Be thankful that you don’t have to climb it!
Head to the right here and continue until you find the trail again, which can be tricky to locate.
Using a phone navigation app such as All Trails can really help on all hikes.
Once you’ve made it back on the easy-to-follow trail, you’ll realize that the trail is continuing to get more and more difficult.
An Opening in the Trees
Continue walking along the trail that now has many rocks and exposed tree roots on it.
You may have to cross a few small streams, depending on the time of year you’re visiting, or step over a few downed trees.
After a while, you’ll reach a section in the trail that opens up and provides views of the mountains around you.
Be sure not to just wander right past this spot, but rather look behind you and capture a picture of the amazing view.
Look up and you’ll see a view of Dragontail Peak, the mountain that sits right behind the lake.
This is a great spot to stop for a snack or break, but it’s also a good reminder that you’re getting extremely close!
The Final Stretch
I know that the final stretch to Colchuck Lake seems like it’s never going to end, but I promise that you will get there soon enough!
It’s during this time that you’ll really start having the opportunity to spot those beautiful mountain goats that roam the area.
Be sure to stay away from them, as they can be aggressive (and want your salt!), but are awesome to watch from a distance.
You’ll wander up multiple switchbacks, climb over large rocks, and continue on until you’ve gone about 4.3 miles.
At this point, you’ll finally catch your first glimpse of the beautiful aquamarine waters of Colchuck Lake.
Colchuck Lake
Once you turn right onto the stretch of trail that leads you down to the main viewpoints, you’ll have that magical feeling.
You know, the one where you’re finally seeing that thing you’ve been waiting for for so long.
It’s that giddy feeling that almost feels like you’re a kid on their birthday receiving that epic Barbie Dreamhouse or sweet monster truck.
Anyways, make your way back across or down the rock face until you find a nice place to sit and rest.
There’s really nowhere better to pull out your lunch and simply admire the views.
Maybe if you’re brave, you’ll take a dip in the chilly waters before lounging on the rocks in the sun.
Wander around the area and explore everything that the area has to offer.
You may spot people who have been lucky enough to snag an Enchantments permit relaxing at their camps around the lake.
And look across to see if you can spot anyone scrambling up Aasgard Pass, making their way into the Enchantments.
You’ve finally made it to Colchuck Lake. Enjoy it.
The Way Back
After you’ve soaked up all the views at the lake, it’s time to start making the descent back down to the parking lot.
This trail is an out-and-back, so you’ll just start making your way back the same way you came.
On the way back to the trailhead, you may consider adding on the hike to Stuart Lake, which will add around 4 miles to your trip.
Otherwise, continue all the way back down to the parking lot, which will feel a lot faster than the way up.
Stuart Lake Add-On
Distance: 13 miles
Elevation Gain: 3,000 feet
Difficulty: Hard
Type: Out & Back
Estimated Time: 7 hours
If you have a bit more time and a bit more energy, consider heading to Stuart Lake while you’re on the trail.
This also impressive alpine lake can be reached by sticking to the right, rather than the left, at the junction after 2 miles of hiking.
Hike for about 2 miles and you’ll reach Stuart Lake, surrounded by mountains on all sides.
It isn’t as eye-popping as Colchuck Lake because it doesn’t have that one prominent mountain standing behind it.
But if you have the extra time and energy, it’s worth the addition!
Round-trip, this hike ends up being between 12 and 13 miles, when you add Stuart Lake and Colchuck Lake together.
The Enchantments
Distance: 22 miles
Elevation Gain: 5,000 feet
Difficulty: Hard
Type: Point to Point
Estimated Time: 13 hours
Doing a hike in the Enchantments area is definitely no easy feat and doesn’t come without advance planning.
It’s typically done as an overnight backpacking trip, but to do this, you’ll need to snag a very hard-to-get permit.
The other option is to day hike it, but this is extremely strenuous and you don’t get to spend as long admiring the views.
However, if you’re well trained and are prepared for a long, tough hike, doing the entire point-to-point Enchantments hike is better than just Colchuck.
As a quick rundown, you’ll follow the same trail and then wrap around the lake to climb up the steep Aasgard Pass.
This is where you’ll enter the Core Enchantments and will be surrounded by the immense beauty of alpine lakes and mountains.
After making your way through the Core, you’ll follow the Snow Lakes down into the parking lot.
This is where either a second car will be waiting for you or a shuttle will take you back to the Colchuck Lake Trailhead.
Where is the Trailhead for Colchuck Lake?
The Trailhead for the Colchuck Lake hike is located about 40 minutes from the small Bavarian village of Leavenworth.
It’s down Icicle Road and then found at the end of National Forest Service Road 7601.
Typing ‘Colchuck Lake Trailhead’ into Google Maps typically works, but if you have trouble finding it, click this link.
It’s sometimes also called the Stuart Lake Trailhead.
The road into the trailhead is really bumpy and has a lot of potholes and sharp rocks.
Take your time getting in and use a high clearance vehicle if possible.
Distances from Major Cities
Seattle: 2 hours 45 minutes
Leavenworth: 40 minutes
Portland: 5 hours
Vancouver, BC: 4 hours 30 minutes
Is the Hike to Colchuck Lake Hard?
The hike to Colchuck Lake is classified as hard, and will definitely be challenging for a lot of people.
It is almost 9 miles and covers over 2,000 feet of elevation gain in that distance.
There are many rocks and exposed tree branches along the trail, which can create an even more difficult journey.
Because it’s so heavily trafficked, it is pretty easy to navigate and follow the route.
That being said, many beginner hikers do complete this hike, because it’s so popular and widely known.
But it should be known to all hikers that it isn’t a walk in the park and you should arrive prepared!
How Long Does it Take to Get to Colchuck Lake?
How long it takes a person to complete a hike depends on a lot of different factors, which you can read more about here.
But for the average person, it’ll take about 5 to 6 hours from start to finish.
This is an average of 2 miles per hour, with the elevation adding extra time.
If you’re a slower hiker, this is one of your first trails, or you’re like me and stop a million times to take pictures, add extra time.
When is the Best Time to Visit Colchuck Lake?
There are a few things to take into consideration if you’re planning a trip to Colchuck Lake.
Here are the best times to visit to ensure that you have an enjoyable time on the trail.
Time of Year
The road that leads to the trailhead, Forest Service Road 7601, typically closes in November and remains gated off until May.
You’ll want to check the conditions before heading out to make sure you can actually reach the trail.
This means that you should plan your visit sometime between June and October.
It’s best to shoot for later in June because there will still be snow on the ground in the early weeks.
For epic fall colors, find a weekend in October to do the hike, as you’ll be surrounded by gorgeous golden larches.
The summer is great for warm temperatures and swimming, but it’ll definitely be busy so read below to find out when to go.
Time of Day
This is one of the most popular trails in the state of Washington and cars park a mile away to do it.
If you don’t want to be one of those cars and want to save the steps, you’ll need to arrive early.
On weekends, getting to the lot by 7:00 am is your best bet to ensure you can snag a decent spot.
Weekdays aren’t quite as busy, but to be safe, I would still say you should get there by 8:00 am.
Or, you can wait until later in the day when everyone is leaving and do an evening hike, around 3:30-4:00 pm.
During the day, you may be able to grab a spot as someone leaves, but you can’t really count on it.
We arrived at about 3:30 pm, and there were many spots open, right at the start of the trail.
This also allowed us to have more solitude at the lake, whereas during the day, it’s very busy and you wouldn’t guess that you’re 4 miles from the road.
Is Camping Allowed at Colchuck Lake?
There are a few campsites along the west and north sides of the lake, but not just anyone can stay at them.
From May 15th to October 31st, all campers must have an Enchantments permit to camp in this area.
If you’re lucky enough to get one, this will be a beautiful place to set up camp and enjoy those views.
If you’re looking for somewhere to camp nearby, Eightmile Campground is only about 5 miles away.
FAQ
What Pass Do I Need for the Trailhead?
In order to park at the trailhead for Colchuck Lake, you will need a Northwest Forest pass.
You can purchase an annual pass online by clicking here
Or, you can purchase a day pass at the trailhead.
Do I Need a Permit to Hike to Colchuck Lake?
Because Colchuck Lake is located in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, you’ll be required to get a self-issued permit at the trailhead.
You need one permit per group of 8 hikers, which is the group limit for the trail.
The permits are free and you fill it in yourself.
What is Parking Like for Colchuck Lake?
Parking at the trailhead is definitely one of the most difficult things to manage for this hike.
Because of its popularity, the parking lot fills up extremely early, every day of the week.
The parking lot itself is fairly small, but it is allowed to park on the right side of the road leading in.
If you’re looking to snag a spot and not have to walk an extra mile to your car, I recommend arriving as early as possible.
I mean, get to the trailhead no later than 8:00 am on weekdays and even earlier on weekends during the summer.
Also, please park respectfully and properly so that you aren’t wasting precious space that could have been used as another parking spot.
Do I Need 4×4 to Get to the Trailhead?
I wouldn’t say that you need a 4×4 vehicle to get to the trailhead, because we made it just fine in my 2WD Ford Edge.
But, it is important to note that the road in is filled with potholes and large, sharp rocks.
For being such a popular trail, this surprised us!
I would recommend having a higher clearance vehicle, just to be safe and feel comfortable on those large bumps.
Can a Beginner Hike to Colchuck Lake?
The hike to the lake is considered challenging and is quite long, at almost 9 miles.
It has quite a bit of elevation gain and a trail that can be pretty rough.
That being said, many beginner hikers do attempt it, because it is such a popular hike in Washington.
But that’s not to be taken lightly, because it isn’t a natural trail and will have you out of breath and having sore legs.
Use your judgment to determine if this trail would be suitable for you or another beginner with you.
Can You Swim in Colchuck Lake?
Yes, many people enjoy swimming in Colchuck Lake as a reward and a way to cool off after the hike.
But, it’s important to note that this is an alpine lake and the water will be very cold.
Never swim alone and have a towel or something to dry off with afterward.
Is there Cell Coverage on the Trail?
There is very minimal cell coverage on the trail to Colchuck Lake, so be sure to have maps downloaded beforehand.
Are Dogs Allowed on the Trail?
Dogs are not allowed on the trail to Colchuck Lake or anywhere within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness area.
There are several signs around the trailhead that state this, so please follow the rules.
It’s for the safety of your pets, the wildlife, and the maintenance of the trail.
Are There Bathrooms at the Trailhead?
Yes, there are bathrooms at the trailhead for Colchuck Lake.
If you end up needing to go on the trail, remember to stay at least 200 feet away from water sources, campsites, and the trail.
This helps protect the fragile environment as well as keep salt-hungry mountain goats away from humans.
There also is a small “toilet” at the lake, which is more of a hole in the ground than an actual toilet.
Tips for Hiking in Washington
Hiking is one of the best activities in the state of Washington, but there are a few things to be aware of when planning an outing.
Here are a few of my top tips for hiking in Washington to have a fun time on the trail.
Where to Stay Near Colchuck Lake
The closest town to Colchuck Lake is Leavenworth, which is about 40 minutes, or 13 miles away.
There are plenty of great places to stay right in Leavenworth that will allow you to also explore the adorable Bavarian village.
LOGE Leavenworth Downtown: This adorable hotel, geared towards those who love the outdoors, is just steps from downtown Leavenworth. Some rooms even have a hammock to nap in. 🙌🏻
Icicle Village Resort: This beautiful resort features an outdoor pool and views of the mountains from right in your room. Plus, plenty of activities right on site.
Leavenworth Village Inn: Perfect for the budget visitor, this hotel has everything that you’ll need for your stay, and it’s within walking distance of downtown.
Wrap-Up: Colchuck Lake Hike
Whether you’re just visiting or you’re a long-time Washington resident, seeing Colchuck Lake is a must-do.
After you round that final corner and finally get a glimpse of the magical teal waters, you’ll know exactly why.
And with it being such a well-trafficked trail, you won’t need to worry about being the only one on the trail.
Overall, the Colchuck Lake hike is very worthwhile and should be added to everyone’s bucket list.
