Backpack Colchuk Lake

Once in Leavenworth, WA go to the west side of the town and look for a road called Icicle Creek Road, follow this road for several miles until turning off onto NF-7601. Take this steep forest service road until it ends at the Stuart Lake trailhead. From here, hike in approximately 2.5-3.0 miles along Mountaineer Creek until you reach a split, take the fork heading towards Colchuk Lake. The trail continues approximately 1.5-2.0 miles further up a steep climb until you reach Colchuk Lake. Take awhile to look around for a good camping site, the best sites are located on the small peninsula on the west edge on the lake or the beach on the south end of the lake. If you are spending multiple nights, climbing Asgard Pass to access the Upper Enchantments is another fun adventure that can be undertaken. The pass is located in the gap seen directly to the east of Dragontail Peak and involves another ~1200 feet of scrambling. To get to the base of the pass requires hiking around the remainder of the lake to the beaches located on the south end of the lake, from here you can begin the climb. Although there is no permanent trail for Asgard Pass, the scree fields have plenty of rock cairns to guide you along the route. If you want to opt for the easier option, the beach along the south end of the lake offers a very pleasant way to spend the afternoon relaxing.