Colchuck Lake - Alpine Lakes Wilderness, WA

Colchuck Lake may be described as a "mountaineer’s inspiration" for its beauty and terrain with a strenuous hike. It is peacefully tucked at 5,600' in Alpine Lakes Wilderness where untouched wilderness and pristine nature still exist. Alpine Lakes Wilderness is a stunningly beautiful area with rugged mountain ranges dominating the skyline – Mt. Stuart range. Colchuck Lake is one of the gateways to the pristine Alpine Lakes.  

From Leavenworth, drive 8.5 miles south on Icicle Creek Rd (Forest Service Road 7600). Turn left on Forest Service Road 7601 and drive 4 miles to the trailhead - Stuart Lake at the end of the road.  The route to Colchuck Lake is trail #1599, 2.5 miles to a Y split. The right trail leads to Stuart Lake, but keep left for Colchuck Lake instead. From there, climb 1100 feet in just 1.6 miles to reach the north shore of the lake. Follow the path another 1.1 miles south to the opposite shore where Colchuck Glacier is, and you can continue your exploration.

If you have enough stamina, climb another 1,000’ – 2,000’ vertical at the gulch, the view of the lake and Colchuck Peak from the cirque (half way to the peak) is breathtaking. Dragontail Peak juxtaposes right where you stand.  If you are to overnight, descending south to the other side of the ridge leads you to Enchantment Lakes, Inspiration Lake, Little Annapurna and all that magical wonderland of Alpine Lakes Wilderness offers.

Roundtrip 8.4 + miles 

Elevation Gain 2400 ft (Colchuck Lake)

Elevation Gain 3200 ft (Colchuck Glacier Cirque - 6,400’) 

Lake Ingalls, WA

Lake Ingalls, WA - 10/2013

This is one amazing hike and pristine wilderness you can experience if you want everything in one hike, particularly now to view fantastic golden fall colors of larches. This week may be the last chance to catch that. You can read other trip reports on Lake Ingalls for details which I found useful for my trip. Hence, my trip report is to be short and simple, and just to say TWO THUMBS UP! The hike also offers a variety of terrains to hike along (forest, water falls, switchbacks, traversing saddles, scrambling) and various vegetation/rock formations with grand vistas of mountain peaks all along until you reach Lake Ingalls. Be ready to drop your jaw as you trek up switchbacks and magnificent Mt. Stuart greets you at the pass....Wow! The snow is already 1 -2 feet deep over the pass, but you can follow well packed snow trail to reach the tarn. Route finding and ascending to the lake may be a bit tricky part of the way due to the snow. The snow was slushy when I started the switchback section around 1pm. Trekking poles are useful, and calculate the starting/returning time of your hike for the snow's slippery condition. I started a bit late around noon, reached the lake by 2:30, and trek back to my car a little after 5pm. If I had started earlier, I would have had more leisure time at the lake. It took me 3 hrs to get to the trailhead from Seattle. The last 10 miles of the unpaved road to TH are full of potholes (some are huge and deep!), so just go slow and take it easy. I highly recommend this hike. Feed your soul with all the spectaculars!

  

How to get there:

From Seattle drive east on I-90 to East Cle Elum, exit 85. Cross over the freeway overpass and turn right (northbound) on State Route 970. Cross the Teanaway River bridge, and in another mile turn left onto Teanaway Road. Drive north on Teanaway Road, veering right as it becomes first the North Fork Teanaway Road and then unpaved Forest Road 9737 at 29 Pines Campground. Continue to the road's end.

Roundtrip	9.0 miles
Elevation Gain	2500 ft
Highest Point	6500 ft