Colchuck Lake Trail #1599A, WA

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 the forest along Mountaineer Creek and crosses the creek at 1.5 miles on a log bridge. Trail steepens after the bridge and at 2.5 miles the junction with Colchuck Lake Trail is reached.


Turn left here and the trail soon crosses Mountaineer Creek again on a log bridge. The trail is sometimes steep and rough for 1.5 miles from the 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 the south end of the lake.The trail continues along the western shore of the lake to access campsites and the route up Aasgard Pass to the Enchantments. There are also campsites near the north end of the lake. Overnight camping in this area requires a permit from May 15 - October 31.