Trek to Turquoise Colchuck Lake via Stuart Lake Trail

Embark on a journey through dense pine forests and rugged switchbacks to reach the mesmerizing turquoise waters of Colchuck Lake, surrounded by the majestic peaks of the Cascades.

Last updated: May 2024

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Free access; parking and permits may incur fees.
More than 500 Miles from you
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Description

Discover the breathtaking Colchuck Lake, nestled in the Cascade Mountains, featuring stunning turquoise waters and picturesque alpine views. This iconic hike near Leavenworth, Washington, offers an unforgettable adventure through lush forests, rocky terrains, and spectacular mountain vistas. Embark on a journey through dense pine forests and rugged switchbacks to reach the mesmerizing turquoise waters of Colchuck Lake, surrounded by the majestic peaks of the Cascades. Begin your adventure at the Stuart Lake Trailhead, located near the charming Bavarian-themed town of Leavenworth. The initial part of the hike is a serene walk through a lush pine forest, with gentle terrain and occasional views of Mountaineer Creek. As you progress, prepare for a challenging ascent filled with steep, rocky switchbacks, leading you to a breathtaking vista of Colchuck Lake's azure waters set against the dramatic backdrop of Dragontail and Colchuck Peaks.

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Outdoorsy

Challenging

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Itinerary

Start at Stuart Lake Trailhead, following the path through the dense forest.
Cross Mountaineer Creek via a log bridge; the trail steepens past this point.
At the junction, take the left towards Colchuck Lake, navigating through rocky switchbacks.
Reach the granite rockface offering the first glimpse of Colchuck Lake.
Follow the trail along the lake's western edge, exploring the serene alpine environment.

Location

Leavenworth, Washington

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Packing List

Comfortable, sturdy hiking boots
Sunscreen and hat for protection
Ample water and high-energy snacks
Layered clothing for changing weather conditions
Swimwear for a refreshing dip in the lake
Camera to capture the stunning landscapes

4.8 ● Google reviews

Beautiful lake views worth the hard hike. Parking fills up fast! We got there around 7am, and got a decent spot. Walked about 0.4 miles to the trail start. I'm not an avid hiker and this took me 2.5 hours to the lake, spent 2 hours on the lake, and about 2 hours back to the car. Pack plenty of water, protein snacks as its a fairly difficult hike up. The elevation gain. Hiking poles would have been great on the way down. Highly recommend hiking boots/shoes.

Highly recommend this hike! It was a steep incline to see the lake but overall an exciting and beautiful experience. I would recommend getting there by 530-6am to get a parking spot or else it’ll be a trek to get to the trailhead. Bring plenty of water and snacks as it took about 4 hours to get to the lake and about 2 hours to get back to the cars. Plan ahead and enjoy the gorgeous view at the end. Don’t forget to swim in the lake! It was def worth the cold plunge!

Parking is hard to find because people are camping nearby. Besides that, the hiking trail is clean and safe, with many people on the trail. My advice is to go early, around 4 or 5 in the morning, during spring and summer. It's better to find parking on the street if you arrive early. The hike is pretty hard, especially for beginners, but if you have some experience, you'll find it a little challenging but doable. It's a 5-mile hike to get to the mountain lake at the top, which takes about 3 to 3.5 hours for an intermediate hiker. You can swim and relax at the lake; it's beautiful and serene. The overall hike is a 10-mile round trip. To avoid parking issues, try to get there early. Otherwise, you'll have to park a mile down and add an extra mile to your walk to reach the trailhead.

What an amazing hike! Yes it can get a bit “are we there yet?” Towards Colchuck lake but it is so worth it. Make sure to bring enough hydration and snacks along the way as you climb a few thousand feet in the four miles ( or if you cant find a parking spot, 5 haha). My only complaint was upon reaching the lake the amount of selfie sticks and “influencers/content creators” clogging the shore. Once i found a nice secluded spot it was heaven.

The hike was well worth it and beautiful at the end. We had two deer cross our path and one mountain goat at the top. The hike is pretty flat until you take the left to Colchuck where it begins to get more difficult. We were fine with good hiking boots, but poles would have been nice. Highly recommend!

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