Attractions: The easiest and most popular route for climbing Colchuck Peak, this trip offers spectacular views of Colchuck Lake and the Enchantments.
Maps: Print our topo map on 8.5”x11” paper in landscape mode. Note: Use ‘Print Preview’ to properly orient/scale the map before printing.
Activity: Mountaineering
Nearest Town: Leavenworth
Skill: 1 (easy).
Fitness: 2 to 2+ (intermediate, advanced intermediate) for an overnight trip, 3 (advanced) as a day trip.
Best Seasons: Early to mid-season. In late summer, the route can turn to bare ice and is much more difficult.
Access:
–From Leavenworth take the Icicle River Road up to Bridge Creek Campground(about 8 miles), cross the bridge across Icicle Creek here, and follow the Eightmile Road up to its end at the Mountaineer Creek trailhead (same access point used for the Colchuck Lake and Lake Stuart hikes).
–Follow the trail to Colchuck Lake (that trip description is listed at this site)
–Once at Colchuck Lake, follow a much rougher and less distinct trail, counter clockwise around the lake over toward the glacier. This is considerably harder walking and on the south end of the lake entails considerable boulder hopping.
Trip Instructions: For details about the route itself, see SummitPost’s description of this trip.
Permits:
–An Enchantment Area Wilderness Permit is needed for overnight trips to Colchuck Lake from May 15th to October 31st as of 2017. The procedure for how permits are issued is occasionally tweaked. Call the Leavenworth Ranger Office (509-548-6977) to learn how to reserve a permit and/or how to pick one up on the day of your trip.
–A Northwest Forest Pass is needed to park at the trailhead.
Leave It Better than You Found It. This should be every user’s goal. Pick up trash left by others, pull noxious weeds along your route, throw branches over unwanted spur trails, etc.
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