Trip Report. Stop rushing there and snapping photos of yourself like you've just stumbled on a natural beauty no one's ever seen before. One person posts a filter-enhanced photo of the lake to that group, and it's on... Of course, everyone being the responsible outdoor enthusiasts that they are, all rules are respected and people who find a full parking lot just go somewhere else right? There'd also be an annual volunteer hours requirement. Rehabilitate lost trails. We fueled with cheese danishes. Everyone pays taxes and this is public land. You’ll want at least one liter or more. It's a reservoir. Here is a link to the hike and it gives a very good description of what to expect. emcat166 Most people on trails haven't invested anything in the land, and it shows. Douglas S. Squirrel Colchuck, ricola Life is too short to start every hike … It's what drives development like Snoqualmie Ridge and Suncadia where previously wild spaces (mostly wild - perhaps logged years earlier) get repurposed for resource-intensive homes so people can feel "close to nature." The roundtrip covers 7.7 mi (12.39 km) with an elevation of 2,300 ft (701.04 m). It is hard to say for time as we all hike at different paces, but I would allow about 5-6 hours if you want to be leisurely and have lots of time at the lake. It was my first time in the enchantments and a beautiful November day. Here - let's try an experiment. I was very nervous about taking my honda civic up this road given what I have heard about its conditions but we braved it and my car made it fine - just had to take our time. It’s terrible for you!!!! Jun 14, 2020 07:58 AM. The Colchuck Lake hike is undoubtedly one of the PNW's best and is VFC's favorite, aside from what sits beyond the lakes in the Enchantments. Jun 15, 2020 07:05 PM. on Your community is speaking to you. And all this is within relatively easy reach. What are the criteria to be used to determine this, unless it's by permit lottery, which the majority of people commenting seem to be against. Maybe we need sacrifice zones for vanity hiking, same way we have them for mining and logging. I accept your nomination. Nice work!! “Call someplace paradise (and post photos on Instagram), kiss it goodbye...” - Eagles, seattlenativemike I hacked into your computer so I could read your discarded drafts and reverse-engineer my way to cleverer retorts. "Gateway to the Enchantments." Jun 13, 2020 10:26 AM. Douglas squirrels and needlepoint; two of my favorite things! Only downside is that the road leading up is very steep and it's extremely bumpy which makes for a slow four miles if you drive a sedan. on You can't turn back the clock. Begin on the Stuart La… It's 8.0 miles round trip to Colchuck Lake, with about 2,200 feet of elevation gain. Their problem is that they need content to get likes from friends and strangers. I hope you are able to find some happiness. Jun 13, 2020 09:04 PM, I feel your pain DS, however, no lottery, rule, closure or virus will solve the core problem which is, as I see it; too many people in the PNW, outdoor retailers who market skill and knowledge with the simple procurement of their products and the cult following of social media. What a jaw dropper of a hike! Turn the pass into a license conditioned on ability to demonstrate knowledge of how to travel in the outdoors responsibly. The people need to be entertained. This! Look at the response here: 208 helpful votes. Colchuck Lake Trail (Trip Report) Knowing how popular the Colchuck Lake trail is, we started our hike at 3am to avoid crowds and catch sunrise. COVID actually is terrible for you. The land is public and everyone can use it, but the improvements to it are classified differently. Solohiker35 on Colchuck Lake How long is the gated road in to TH? on Colchuck Peak : SummitPost.org : Climbing, hiking, mountaineering. on Jun 13, 2020 07:09 PM, tim0 Camping at Colchuck Lake. Colchuck Lake with Dragontail and Colchuck peaks above. I love Colchuck - who doesn't? We knew we wanted to arrive at sunrise, so after some hiking time estimates and driving times, we realized we had a shocking 12:30 am wakeup call ahead of us. Land Agency: National Forest Service. Actually there IS something people can do about overrun trails. The hike is hard but not as hard as I expected. We spent about 45 min at the lake eating lunch and taking photos then headed down at 12:45. Muledeer On July 2nd we headed to Colchuck Lake near Leavenworth. Willful narcissism: it's what's for breakfast (and lunch and dinner and Instagram). It's very relaxing. The belief that each of us is the only person in the world (despite ample evidence to the contrary) and that our individual pleasure can be pursued regardless of impact to others is why beautiful places are getting trashed and why we've lost more people to a manageable outbreak than any other country on earth (until Brazil one-ups us - but trust me when I tell you that "not quite as bad as Balsonaro's Brazil" is really faint praise). I've contributed to policy. I can only conclude its another form of begging for ephemeral 'social media' currency …. Who the hell wants to try and enjoy nature when the line is like Disneyland? Colchuck lake. As if Colchuck Lake alone weren’t enough of a draw, it is one of the two gateways to the Enchantments, and the trailhead also accesses Stuart Lake, an easier and equally awesome destination. Made it unpleasant to say the least. Nope. Jun 13, 2020 12:04 PM. The route to Colchuck Lake is the easiest and most popular way for people to see the glorious Enchantments. Like other reports state, you have to hike up the road to the trailhead. Overall, the icy spots are hard to spot so keep your eyes peeled! WTA is the most influential hiking advocacy group in the state, and a trip report like this is a way for this community to communicate in a very visible way that there is a concern that isn't being discussed. Oh my god. - but the place means more to me, though, than my desire to see it. I find my happiness in doing the most I possibly can to help slow the spread of a deadly virus. Find a trail that is in danger of being lost, take a pair of clippers and go hike it, clipping brush out at the same time. Trail overuse should be the #1 issue on your radar. Jun 14, 2020 09:05 AM. Have a great day. This thread is winding down. klola ✌️, Jenniferkaye79 That hike they did? - The Douglas S. Squirrel: When the spectacle of 10's of thousands of people buying millions of dollars of plastic gear and driving millions of collective miles just to get their own version of a photo millions people took before them, all for an ostensible love of nature, gets to be too much, you skewer our collective hypocrisy in righteous anguish at what we're doing to the world. All it takes is one schmuck who decides he/she wants some imaginary internet points to post some pictures of a place, drop the name and how to get there and BAM stampede because now every Karen, Kyle and Jane has to go up there, take the picture doing the same tired yoga pose with the scenery in the background, Kyle walking down the trail blasting his music on his Bluetooth speaker... and then most have the nerve to complain about how busy the trail was and how they wish they could have more solitude. on I see I've met my match in rhetorical skill. Colchuck Lake Trail starts at Stuart Lake trailhead off of Forest Service Road 7601, which can be accessed from Icicle Creek Road. Really good and quiet day in the mountains. With my newfound power, I command you, oh hikers of Washington: WRITE MORE TRIP REPORTS! The road up was passable in a FWD Ford Focus. on Do yourself a favor and stay away. Now it looks like a good one to miss! I further decree that the types of reports shall be three, with a fourth reserved solely for royalty: - The Ira Spring: This is the one where the person decides to re-write the description of the trail itself. - The Dawn Wall: Please provide a detailed expedition-style report as if you are the first person ever to attempt the heroic feat of reaching the never-before-glimpsed wonders of a 6-mile hike gaining less than 2,000 feet. Dogs are prohibited on Colchuck Lake trail, Stuart Lake trail and within the Enchantment Permit Area. A great way to add to your hike at Colchuck Lake is to stay overnight. The Enchantments: Hike to Colchuck Lake. A hiker stands in awe of Colchuck Lake's stark beauty. Popularizing locations where there is no infrastructure (roads, sanitation etc.) How many photos did you find? You don't want to go down that road in the dark. on You can still hike Colchuck, but … cuz I'm tired of doing it, Muledeer Jun 13, 2020 02:17 PM. Jun 14, 2020 01:16 PM. Without hourly reports, an unwitting hiker might show up and twist their ankle on a rock that has been loosened in the last 60 minutes or they might be caught unawares by the last remnants of a small snow patch and - having not been told to pack microspikes, crampons, ice skates, bear spray, and a zamboni - slip, strike their head AND DIE. Social media is killing hiking in general. almost 4 years ago. Jun 14, 2020 03:24 PM. I think the crowds just represent a different way to enjoy the wilderness, and the parks and national forest should provide some means to handle them, like in Canada, perhaps well engineered trails, more toilet facilities, trash service and personnel to handle the crowds. Great trip report! There were one or two spots of snow/ice that you can walk around easily. I like your name change, BTW. That notwithstanding, I'm not cowering in fear. Just let it happen." 2.) As if Colchuck Lake alone werent enough of a draw, it is one of the two gateways to the Enchantments, and the trailhead also accesses Stuart Lake, an easier and equally awesome destination. A lot of people are shouting back. Jun 14, 2020 05:53 AM. Jun 13, 2020 09:55 AM. Don’t let me scare you off, if you’re in any kind of shape you can hike Colchuck Lake, it’s just that Blue Lake is very easy for an equally awesome view. That's what I would like to see, along the lines of what Testudo suggested above. We used microspikes, as did most people we saw coming up, but Its maybe (barely) passable without them. The Leavenworth area has numerous hikes, but Colchuck Lake hike is one of the two gateways to the famous Enchantments goo.gl/fodFj2. It's not even a real lake! It is a must to get to trailhead early as there is limited parking at base and if full it is another probably 2 mile walk from where your other parking option is. Put the snowshoes on at the 8 mile trailhead and didn't take them off after that. "Caring is lame." This hike is challenging in that it is mostly up, and up, and up. What else gets you this kind of response? Roundtrip: 8.4 miles. Trail work on the Colchuck Lake Trail. Loved your rant. When physical distancing is lifted we should 'point together. It is sanctimonious. Testudo montana The trail to Colchuck Lake was perfect. The lake is all thawed so we are back to that beautiful aqua sparkling water! Overuse isn't on WTA's radar in any serious way. I understand the annoyance, but I don’t think this is the right forum to complain about this trail’s use. He has opened up quite a few trails off the MLH and in the North Cascades doing this. But fear not, it's totally doable. Agreed 100%. on Jun 13, 2020 04:54 PM, new name wasn't my first choice, but lawyers said there would be "issues" with "David S. Exponential increase in high impact activity in sensitive alpine/subalpine terrain. If the DNR and USFS can charge a fee for the pass that lets you use the parking lots and the outhouses, I would assume they can also require certain basic standards before issuing the Discover Pass and NW Forest. I'll wait. Pretty soon, there isn't going to be anything worth preserving access to. JeffReigns Our tax identification number is EIN 91-0900134. However, the ground was very hard packed dirt/frozen so the poles didn't dig in well. Douglas S. Squirrel I see a hike this crowded and I immediately turn around. 1.) Jun 14, 2020 11:05 PM. This lake is a real butt-kicker hike but an oh so worth-it destination. The parking lot was full. Our tax identification number is EIN 91-0900134. I'm the type that wants to have a place all to myself, enjoy the wilderness with as few other people as possible. While some of the gripes you have are constructive, they have been played time and again and are well known to land stewards (areas being loved to death, etc). Seems like this energy (in this trip report and others) can be better put to use by working with land managers, volunteering time, and coming up with constructive solutions instead of just complaining into the void for 15 minutes of collective attention. 1599) and dives right into the forest. Forest Service: just close the road. Making sure that *anyone* has access to wild lands does not require ensuring *everyone* has access (and not all the time). on Colchuck Peak is a prominent peak in the Stuart Range and a worthy goal with some very fine climbs on its northeast side, though it is often overlooked in favor of Dragontail Peak immediately to the east with its spectacular north face. Trip Day Hike - Colchuck Lake. Jun 15, 2020 01:41 PM, This is the exact approach we that should 'not' be taking. I agree SeattleCyclist, your post is sanctimonious entitled garbage. Jun 13, 2020 07:30 PM. Jun 14, 2020 05:42 AM, KJ the Pole Pusher Agreed. We'll see if there's more to it than that. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, and backpacking and is best used from May until October. on The first part of this trail follows the Stuart Lake Trail before branching off to the left. Douglas S. Squirrel Now we seem to have "amazonified" hiking in which the masses open an app and 'scroll down' to receive step by step directions, details of bugs and even ratings so you can enjoy your "best" experience. on I was up there once in the fall during the week, not near as crazy. Trail Conditions Trail in good condition ... Washington Trails Association 705 2nd Ave, Suite 300 Seattle, WA 98104 (206) 625-1367. Mt Si, Mailbox, Teneriffe, Granite Lakes, Otter falls etc. We can solve it if we want to. Jun 15, 2020 06:47 AM. Read About these trails in our Hiking Guide Colchuck Lake; The 1100 feet gained along a very steep, rocky, and rooty trail after the 2.5 miles to the junction is well worth the effort because of the beauty of Colchuck Lake and its surrounding area. Sadly, the trail is closed right now due to fire. Cars were parked along the road by this point. on It is a larger cousin to the nearby fabled Enchantment Lakes and offers many of the same payoffs – including groves of larches on its far shore – but can be reached with less than half the effort. With stairs. Gone are the days when places can be truly special. 705 2nd Ave, Suite 300 It was my first time in the enchantments and a beautiful November day. Unfortunately it rained the day of our hike. With an elevation gain of over 2000 feet, the hike to Colchuck lake is challenging. Contributions to WTA are tax deductible, and we are committed to making the best use of every donation to our mission. The late melt off is the culprit for this situation. A tad over 9 would be more accurate and we didn't hike to the other side of the lake by Aasgard pass. on Douglas S. Squirrel That's why I stay away. Jun 13, 2020 12:58 PM. Going up was not too bad however the latter part (closest to the lake) has some steeper grades. Douglas S. Squirrel Trip will open for registration to all Mountaineers, based on availability, 7-10 days prior to date of the hike. As you ascend, it gets a bit icy in spots but it is easy to navigate if you go slowly. Old trails are not going to be hiked by the masses looking for the trophy hikes anyway. Scratch_That_Hiking_Itch on Colchuck Lake. This: "If all the people out there actually LOVED the wilderness, we wouldn't see cut switchbacks...etc" Excellent point. There are just more people here than there was even 10 yrs ago. However, the views at the lake are well worth the effort. Vanity Hiking Areas would be Open to All, while other trails would require a license, which you'd acquire by proving knowledge of and respect for the natural world. Wyoming is already plenty crowded in its own right, and the more people pursue the strategy of finding their own empty corner of wilderness, the fewer empty corners will remain. We went very slow and encountered only seven other cars at the parking area when we arrived. And a link to your Insta. I've taken up needlepoint. They're not who will support you. While the final ascent to the lake is steep and rough in places, Colchucks overall elevation gain of 2,300 feet makes its spectacular scenery accessible to hikers of almost any ability. ngie The Colchuck Lake route via the Stuart Lake Trailhead is a fantastic way to see a gorgeous part of Washington state, plus Aasgard Pass looming above the lake itself. Another great hike with the 40+ Meetup group. As this video (reposted by the outmatched Forest Service) shows, people park for miles along the road, creating a one-lane clog. Have fun! Hiked from the bridge at Bridge Creek campground clear up to the lake and back. hayleygardner19 Douglas S. Squirrel Will need to come prepared 05:53 AM with dazzling blue green water and over... 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Only conclude Its another form of begging for ephemeral 'social media ' currency … concluded that forces!