Location: Central Cascades - About 30 min away from the town of Leavenworth.
Address: NF-7601, Leavenworth, WA 98826
Length: 8 Miles from the trailhead
Elevation gain: 2280 FT.
What you need: Northwest Forest Pass
Overnight stays are by permit only.
My notes: Get there early to get a parking spot. Otherwise, you may have to add 1-2 miles depending on where you can park your car. Wear dependable shoes, pack a lunch, and bring a celebratory drink for this one! Colchuck Lake might be my new favorite WA hike. If you can handle the 2,280 elevation gain, the view is worth the pain. You won’t be disappointed! The glacier water blue is unreal, and pictures simply don’t do it justice. Don’t let my images fool you, this was by far the coldest water I’ve ever been in in my entire life. I’m a baby when it comes to cold water, however, this was a summer bucket list item of mine, so I knew I was committed to the jump prior to going. The alpine air was pretty chilly and I was left with permanent goosebumps for an hour or so after I got out of the water - I brought a change of clothes, a jacket, and a towel.
I love sharing my experiences with others, however, PLEASE pack out what you pack in to keep these places pristine.
Enjoy and happy trails!