Washington is an outdoor lover’s paradise. And since summer is quickly fading into fall, now is the time to get out and enjoy it. So today we’re going to pay homage to one of our favorite Washington lakes, the beautiful and pristine Colchuck Lake. It’s not an easy journey to reach it, but once you do, you’ll be amazed by how blue its waters are.
Nicholas Smith / alltrails.com Colchuck Lake is located near Leavenworth in the Okanogan-Wenatchee Forest. “Colchuck” means “very cold water” in Chinook, which is appropriate for a glacier lake. The lake is part of an irrigation system that supplies water to the nearby farms and orchards.
Mitchell Bell / alltrails.com To reach the trailhead, follow Highway 2 through Leavenworth and take a left on Icicle Road. Follow the road for 8.5 miles, then turn left onto dirt road 7601. Follow that road for about 4 miles to the trailhead.
Chris Stocker / alltrails.com This is where it gets tricky. The trail itself is 8-9 miles out and back, and it’s not an easy hike. The trail starts out friendly enough, and you’ll hit a junction about 2 miles in with the marked Colchuck Lake Trail (the other trail goes to Stuart Lake). Shortly thereafter you’ll hit steep inclines, rocks, switchbacks and other tough terrain.
Jesse Dixon / alltrails.com But if you make it, you’ll be rewarded with incredible views, both of Mount Stuart and Colchuck Lake. Even if you weren’t breathless from the steep and lengthy hike, the first glimpse of the lake would surely take your breath away.
Brian Holsclaw / Flickr Since not everyone can (or would want to) hike for almost 10 miles through difficult forest land, we’ll include some extra photos for all to enjoy.
Sean Munson / Flickr
Bill Devlin / Flickr Simply breathtaking.
The reward of Colchuck Lake is certainly worth the intense hike. And for a slightly less difficult hike that’s equally is beautiful, give Lake 22 a try.
Nicholas Smith / alltrails.com
Colchuck Lake is located near Leavenworth in the Okanogan-Wenatchee Forest. “Colchuck” means “very cold water” in Chinook, which is appropriate for a glacier lake. The lake is part of an irrigation system that supplies water to the nearby farms and orchards.
Mitchell Bell / alltrails.com
To reach the trailhead, follow Highway 2 through Leavenworth and take a left on Icicle Road. Follow the road for 8.5 miles, then turn left onto dirt road 7601. Follow that road for about 4 miles to the trailhead.
Chris Stocker / alltrails.com
This is where it gets tricky. The trail itself is 8-9 miles out and back, and it’s not an easy hike. The trail starts out friendly enough, and you’ll hit a junction about 2 miles in with the marked Colchuck Lake Trail (the other trail goes to Stuart Lake). Shortly thereafter you’ll hit steep inclines, rocks, switchbacks and other tough terrain.
Jesse Dixon / alltrails.com
But if you make it, you’ll be rewarded with incredible views, both of Mount Stuart and Colchuck Lake. Even if you weren’t breathless from the steep and lengthy hike, the first glimpse of the lake would surely take your breath away.
Brian Holsclaw / Flickr
Since not everyone can (or would want to) hike for almost 10 miles through difficult forest land, we’ll include some extra photos for all to enjoy.
Sean Munson / Flickr
Bill Devlin / Flickr
Simply breathtaking.
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