Colchuck Lake Hike: Why It Should Be Added to Your Bucket list Today
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There are some stunning hikes that you might not visit because of crowds, and there are other hikes you have to see, no matter how crowded they might be. One of those hikes that is a MUST when visiting Washington is Colchuck Lake.
This hike is located outside the quaint and beautiful town of Leavenworth, a Bavarian-style village that is a cool stop if you’re looking for more activities.
When you see pictures of the lake, it’s almost impossible to say you don’t want to see it in person. There’s a reason this alpine lake hike is one of the most popular in the state.
The last 15 to 20 minutes of the drive to the trailhead are brutal (for your car). It’s a rocky, pothole-filled road but you’ll have to trust me that it’s worth it.
We hiked this during the middle of the week (which I always suggest during the summer in Washington if possible), and the crowds weren’t terrible. I was honestly expecting worse.
Typically, the parking lot fills up fast, and the line can continue for a while. We were lucky, and it wasn’t that bad.
The Colchuck Lake trail isn’t overly easy, but I’ll give you all the details you need to know to make this a fantastic experience.
What Makes Colchuck Lake So Special?
Alpine lake hikes in Washington are what you dream of as a hiker. Having this area as my backyard all summer long in 2024 was truly a blessing.
Hikes like this and Snow Lake are some of the most stunning hikes in not just Washington but in the entire country!
Colchuck Lake is located in part of the Enchantments Traverse, an epic 19-mile hike that people typically take two nights to complete.
This trail takes you up to one of the bluest and most scenic alpine lakes in all of Washington. The Colchuck Lake Trail will continue past and around the mountains, taking you through the infamous Aasgard Pass.
The trail is easy to follow, which makes this one of the best ways to see your first alpine lake in Washington.
Where Do You Start the Hike to Colchuck Lake?
The trail you’ll start on when hiking to Colchuck Lake is the Stuart Lake Trail. So that means you’ll want to make your way to the Stuart Lake Trailhead Parking lot.
The drive from Seattle to Leavenworth is around 2 hours and 15 minutes and an extra 30 minutes to the trailhead from there.
The last 15 minutes of the drive, you’ll be on Forest Service Road 7601, which is notorious for being a rough and bumpy ride. We drive a Honda Pilot and were fine but be aware of potholes and drive slowly!
The name of the trail might be confusing for newer hikers, but this trail will take you to Stuart Lake if you don’t veer off of it.
About two miles into the hike, you’ll come across a fork. Take the Colchuck Lake trail to the left. If you want to visit Stuart Lake, then by all means, keep on the same trail!
It’s possible to complete both lake hikes in one day, but I’d highly suggest only doing this if you start early in the morning.
Hiking Details of Colchuck Lake via Stuark Lake Trail
| Stat | Details |
|---|---|
| 🗺️ Total Distance (RT) | ~8 – 9.5 miles (AllTrails: 8.7 mi; Trailforks: 9 mi) (alltrails.com, trailforks.com) |
| ⬆️ Elevation Gain | ~2,300–2,650 ft (AllTrails ~2,300 ft; WTA 2,280 ft; Trailforks 2,632 ft) |
| 🏔️ Highest Elevation | ~5,580 – 5,646 ft at lake’s far end |
| ⏱️ Typical Time | ~5 hours (AllTrails est. 4 h 57 m; Trailforks ~2 h 45 m climbing plus descent, ~5–6 h total) |
| ⚖️ Difficulty | Moderate–Hard / Strenuous; steep rocky switchbacks, loose talus near lake |
| 🚶 Trail Type | Out‑and‑back from Stuart Lake Trailhead via Colchuck junction |
| 🚻 Facilities | Pit toilet at trailhead; 2 primitive privies near lakeshore |
| 🅿️ Parking & Access Road | ~20–30-car lot, early arrival needed; 3.7 mi bumpy dirt road (FS‑7601) |
| 📅 Best Season | Mid‑July to fall; snow may linger into June; winter access closed |
My Experience Hiking to Colchuck Lake in August
The weather can be vastly different depending on when you decide to venture to Colchuck Lake. We went during the middle of the week in August.
It was a tad bit chilly in the morning but overall the weather was fantastic. I wish I could say the same thing about the drive.
Living in Seattle is nice but this is a hike that you have to plan out because it is around three hours away. We did this as a day hike, so on the drive back into Seattle, we got stuck in a bit of traffic. Which was well worth it!
Tough Roads Driving Up to the Parking Lot
If you read much about this hike, one of the most frequent comments you’ll read is how the service road is bumpy with some potholes scattered around.
The drive up to the parking lot wasn’t great, I’ll admit that. Most cars will be fine and if you have a smaller car, then taking it slow is advised.
The Parking lot was full already when we arrived around 10 am and we had to park behind the line of cars on the road. It didn’t go too far back but I heard it can often go for miles.
There aren’t many bathrooms available when arriving at the parking lot. I can see this being a huge issue on the weekends with the sheer number of people attempting this hike.
I wish all drives to the trailheads were like Lake Serene.
Taking the Stuart Lake Trail to the Fork
The trail is easy to follow and is well-maintained. It’s not overly complicated and has some steep sections.
It’s around 2 miles until you reach the fork to take the Colchuck Lake Trail. The elevation gain in the first 2 miles is around 1000 feet.
We arrived early enough that we could take our time if need be. The first couple of miles were through densely populated trees and stunning green vegetation.
The elevation starts to pick up after the fork and as so, the vegetation starts to dwindle somewhat but the views become more epic.
The Last Push to Colchuck Lake with Epic Views
We started to cross multiple bridges, some with stunning views of the area around us. Hiking in Washington always feels like something out of a movie.
Along the way, we saw a lot of chipmunks and that just makes the trail that much more enjoyable.
It was another 2 miles from the fork until we reached the lake. It’s the same level of elevation gain (1000 feet) from this point onwards but there are steeper sections than the beginning.
Take your time in these sections and you’ll be fine.
We reached the lake after a couple of hours and the views blew us away. There’s nothing like seeing a crystal blue lake with mountains towering over it.
Relaxing and Swimming at the Lake
It was somewhat crowded (and a tad loud) when we arrived at the lake but that wasn’t going to take away from this moment.
We found a nice rock lakeside to sit at and eat our lunch while taking in the views. People, we’re having fun and I don’t blame them!
There’s nothing like a nice sandwich (and other snacks) after reaching a destination like this.
After enjoying our lunch and taking as many photos as we could, we decided it was time to test the water and jump in.
It was a tad bit chilly, I’m not going to lie. But it was one of the most refreshing experiences I’ve had in quite some time.
I stayed in the water for about 15 minutes as I started to feel my feet go numb. Bringing a blowup paddleboard is something we saw people doing that looks like a great time.
Things to Know Before Hiking to Colchuck Lake
This trail is straightforward but there are some details that you always want to make sure you know before embarking on any hike like parking, passes, and what to bring.
Do You Need a Forest Pass?
If you want to do this hike, then you have to pay for parking. You pay for parking by either having an America the Beautiful Pass or a Northwest Forest Pass.
The America the Beautiful Pass costs $80 annually and helps you get into every National Park in the country. The Northwest Forest Pass is $30 annually but is only good for places in Washington and Oregon.
If you don’t want to spend that money and are looking to just pay for a day pass, then that will cost $5. Head to the trailhead board for more info.
Is This Hike Difficult?
The hike to Colchuck Lake isn’t overly difficult in my opinion. In total, the hike is around 8.5 miles, which might be a lot for someone who hasn’t done much hiking.
The elevation gain is moderate to steep in certain sections. That, plus the length of the hike, gives it a hard ranking on Alltrails.
If you start early and take your time, there should be no reason you can’t finish this hike.
Check out Rattlesnake Ledge near Seattle if you’re looking for something closer and easier. Skyline Loop Trail is a great hike if you plan on visiting Mt. Rainier National Park.
How Long Does it Take to Hike?
The average time it takes someone to hike to Colchuck Lake Via the Stuart Lake trail is around five hours.
It took us a little bit less than that. This is the amount of time you should expect when attempting this hike.
Best Time of the Year to Hike
The best time to hike to Colchuck Lake is during the summer months. This will give you the best chance of having good weather.
If you’re looking to swim in the lake, then going during these summer months is almost a necessity (unless you’re crazy!).
The overall hiking months for the Alpine Wilderness are between May and October.
Safety & Ettiquete
Please follow the ‘leave no trace‘ best practices. This is the case when hiking, camping, or anything. This hike is no different than any other activity you do outdoors.
The whole idea behind this is that you should leave the area like you never visited. Below are some easy tips to follow:
- Dispose of ALL waste properly and take all trash with you
- Leave what you find
- Plan ahead and prepare
- Only camp on durable surfaces
Gear Essentials
If this is just a day trip for you, then you’ll want to bring your typical day hiking gear on the Colchuck Lake trail.
- Sun Protection: Hat, sunglasses, sun screen, etc.
- Hiking Boots: Keen hiking boots are one of my favorite and most trusted brands
- Osprey Daypack: There are so many daypacks on the market today and you can’t ever go wrong with an Osprey.
- Atheltic Shirt
- Shorts/Hiking Pants
- Hiking Poles: These might not be 100% necessary but they are always good to have
Where to Stay Near the Trailhead
If the idea of waking up at the crack of dawn to get to the trailhead early doesn’t sound appealing, then you might want to stay closer to the trailhead.
There’s always the option to stay in Leavenworth at the FairBridge Inn & Suites. This little town will capture your heart in ways you didn’t think were possible.
But if you don’t want to spend $150 on a hotel room, then you can camp at one of the many different camping spots close to the Colchuck Lake trailhead.
Extending Your Hike to Stuart Lake
Stuart Lake is another gorgeous lake in the area and it can be reached by staying on the same trail you started on.
Instead of taking a left at the fork on the Colchuck Lake Trail, you can continue straight. It’s another 2 miles to Stuart Lake and will add on 4 extra miles if you want to add it on.
Stuart Lake is stunning in its own right and will attract far fewer crowds than Colchuck.
If you want to do both in one day, I’d highly suggest arriving as early as possible at the trailhead in order to make sure you have enough sunlight.
Bonus: Eightmile Lake
If you decide to camp or stay close to the trailhead overnight, there’s another lake you can visit. The Eightmile Lake trailhead begins before the Stuart Lake trail.
This lake will also have fewer people and is a good addition if you’re looking for something else to do on the weekend!
Final Thoughts
Colchuck Lake is one of Washington’s premier hikes and it shouldn’t be overlooked. It’s a hike that I would come back to and do over and over again. It’s that good. The water is mesmerizing, deep sapphire-blue in shaded pockets to bright aqua-turquoise in direct sunlight.
One of my bucket list hikes is to get a permit for the Enchantments and backpack through here. I’d love to get the real feel of the area and be amazed by all of its beauty.
should we skip Snow Lake, and just do Colchuck? we plan to visit end of July. One parent, 2 teens. We are generally fit but don’t do hikes often. From Seattle on way to Colchunk, then Mt Rainier so Snow Lake would be 1st stop, Colchuck 2nd. Want to leave enough energy for Mt Rainier. Would you recommend skipping Snow Lake?
thanks.
Elizabeth
Hi Elizabeth! That’s a great question. My girlfriend and I both preferred Colchuck Lake over Snow Lake but both have its pros and cons. I don’t like recommending to skip a specific hike over others because everyones experience will differ. I don’t think fitting in Snow Lake will be much of an issue. It depends on how much time you have at Mt. Rainier and you could possibly plan a chill day after the drive from Colchuck to Mt. Rainier park. But it’s also not a bad idea to skip Snow Lake if you’re afraid of being too tired when arriving at Mt. Rainier. Hopefully this helps!