Just on the outskirts of my most beloved town of Leavenworth sits a bumpy, pot hole filled road that leads to one of the most popular hiking trails in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. I have lived in Washington for most of my life, aside from a couple temporary moves for jobs, and the hike to Colchuck Lake has been on my radar for many of those years.
The main deterrents for why I had not yet hiked to Colchuck Lake were: distance (three and a half hour drive to trail head from my house), road to trail head (no way my Toyota Camry would make it), and popularity (trails are popular for a reason, but I loathe huge crowds while hiking.) All that said, I knew I still wanted to hike this trail at least once in my life. Lucky for me my pal Caitlin has a car made for roads like this, and she matches my go getter attitude when it comes to hiking.
This meant we decided to leave at 4am on a Friday, and drive the three and a half hours to the trail head to beat the crowds.
We arrived around 0745 to find the parking lot full, but we only had to park a few spaces down on the road. Caitlin has done this trail before, and she told me parking on the road backs up multiple miles during the peak weekends in the summer. We arrived at a good time. Despite doing this hike at the tail end of July, I was shocked to discover how cold it was at this time of the morning.
The temps were in the mid 30’s and it took me close to an hour to fully warm up my fingers and my legs.
The first couple miles of this trail pass through wooded forests with tall trees and lush green plants. The trail is moderate for these miles and doesn’t begin to climb until you’re out of the trees. From there the lush green disappears, the trees get shorter, and the legs feel wobblier. We took our time getting to the lake, and we arrived around 1020. The downside of arriving this early was that the lighting was terrible.
The upside was that there were minimal people at the lake and we were able to find our own pocket to sit.
We snacked and savored the view for about 20 minutes, all the while I was gathering the courage to get into the water. The hike warmed me up, but it was still slightly cooler than I would have liked in order to dive head first into the water. In all reality, I never dive head first – I walk out and take far too long to commit to the cold because I am a wimp. Alas, I always submerge myself eventually.
After sitting on a rock contemplating when I wanted to shock my body I finally decided to pull the trigger. If the sun is shining, and the temps are above 70 I will without a doubt get into the water. I try to collect alpine lake swims like 1999 Pokémon cards. Gotta catch em’ all.
Caitlin eventually joined me in the water, and we played mermaids for quite some time. I found it difficult to get out of the water once I was in. There are few things more invigorating than a cold alpine lake surrounded by mountains. I finally dragged my soaked skin out of the water to dry in the sun, and I was thankful I had my jacket once again.
I needed my jacket for another couple miles after we left the lake despite a comfortable 70 degree wind and sunshine.
Colchuck Lake was just as beautiful as I expected, but I think I enjoyed the second half of our hike more than this lake. The trailhead for Colchuck begins at the trailhead for Lake Stuart, another lake within the forested area. The trail comes to a fork about 2 miles in, and this is where most people go to the left and head towards Colchuck.
We decided that we were going to hike to both Colchuck and to Lake Stuart since we were already in the area.
The additional hike to Lake Stuart only added another 4 or so miles, and while overall this was doable, once the heat kicked in and the bugs started to party next to our faces the slog became tough. The main trail to Lake Stuart isn’t anything to write home about, but just under a mile or so into this portion of the trail the forested surroundings open up to one of the most unbelievable meadows I have ever seen. I am still dreaming about these views.
The trail is barely visible amongst the brush, but this added to the fully immersed sensations of being in the meadow. If it weren’t for the incessant buzzing of bugs trying to feast on my flesh I could have stood here for hours. We trudged on another mile and some change before seeing Lake Stuart in all his glory. Not quite as in your face as Colchuck, but beautiful nonetheless.
I appreciate a modest lake.
Lake Stuart was quiet and we only saw one patch of campers in this location, allowing us our own pocket of nature. We sat here just long enough for me to eat 3/4 of an apple before making our way back through the meadow, and back to the car. We arrived back to the car around 1545, making this an 8 hour excursion covering 13.1 miles. The most beautiful half marathon I have walked in years.
You can see the official trail details if you click here. Just know AllTrails is notorious for being off on milage.
Just when I thought the hike couldn’t get any better, we encountered a chipmunk at the tail end of the hike with cheeks stuffed to the brim. I am still laughing at the sight of his swollen cheeks, but I was too focused on him begging for more food to snap a photo. This will be one of the mental snapshots that will forever live within my memories.
We ended our adventure with a walk through the town of Leavenworth for a cup of coffee and a scoop of ice cream from Whistlepunk Ice Cream Co. I had been wanting to try this ice cream since Duncan and I were in Leavenworth back in April. I didn’t get any then because I had already eaten a cupcake the size of my face, and while it goes against my intrusive thoughts I do in fact have self control over my sweets intake.
The ice cream was worth the wait, and you may tell me it’s boring to get vanilla flavored ice cream, but I will tell you the best way to test ice cream is by getting the basic flavor. That and I just like vanilla. Too many bells and whistles in my ice cream and I’ll feel 10x worse than ice cream already makes me feel. This pit stop was the perfect ending to an epic adventure. We started the drive back home around 1730, and I arrived back to my fur child just after 2100. A full day, a full belly, and a full spirit.
Q: What is your go to ice cream flavor? Vanilla for me these days, but back in my heyday I was known to go for cookie dough, anything with peanut butter and chocolate chunks, or cookies and cream.
Blissfulbritt 
46 thoughts on “Lake Stuart and Colchuck Lake Trail”
Grace @ Cultural Life
Those trails look so gorgeous! I would love to live somewhere with such spectacular trails within (relatively) easy reach. Guess I shouldn’t complain, though — the UK does have some pretty wonderful scenery.
I’d head to live in the mountains if I could! 🙂
Sounds like a perfect day, rounded off with ice cream. I prefer simple flavours too. A good vanilla, with proper vanilla rather than fake vanilla flavouring, is *chef’s kiss*.
Brittany
I love the mountains where I live, but I also love the scenery where you live. There is nothing quite like the UK moodiness.
Vanilla ice cream must be proper with vanilla beans, the fake flavor belongs in the trash! 🤣
Looking for the Light
Breathtaking! I have so many favorite ice creams to pick one. But nothing beats a homemade vanilla bean ice cream. 🙂
Brittany
YES! Vanilla is so versatile. A perfect base for toppings.
Diana
Wow, gorgeous! I’ve actually heard of Colchuck Lake, and now I can see why it’s so popular.
Brittany
It’s definitely worth a visit, as long as you time it right to avoid the crowds!
Rootchopper
I’ll never forget riding past a lake in the North Cascades. Jawdropping beauty. Washington state lakes are the bomb.
As for ice cream, my go to is chocolate chip (never mint!).
Also in London the vanilla ice cream was different from US vanilla. Less vanilla more cream if that makes sense
Brittany
Mint only belongs in toothpaste and after dinner hard candies. NEVER in ice cream, or cakes, etc.
I can’t say I ever had ice cream in London, or anywhere in England for that matter (lots of coffee and good baked goods though), but it does make sense. Sounds delicious.
gpavants
Brittney,
Right now, banana pudding. But it’s always changing.
Thank you, Gary
Gary Avants Forbear Productions * *garyavants66@gmail.com garyavants66@gmail.com
Brittany
OOOHHH that sounds good!! I have never even seen banana pudding ice cream. I’d probably chop fresh bananas to put on top.
gpavants
Yep.
Gary Avants Forbear Productions * *garyavants66@gmail.com garyavants66@gmail.com
C.A. Post
I SOOO want to hide in your backpack and come along hikes like this!🤠
❤️&🙏, c.a.
Brittany
Maybe I could fit you into one of those kid carrier backpacks. We’d have to get special stirrups because you’re much taller than the average child. LOLOL.
C.A. Post
Butter pecan, btw.😉
Brittany
Caitlin got butter pecan after this adventure. Ha!
Duncan
Amazing determination and follow through! Beautiful pictures, it looked like an exciting experience! Cookie Dough ice cream is the undisputed superior ice cream flavor, I am relieved to see it on the list!
xoxoxo
Brittany
In all my years of knowing you, I have yet to see you consume cookie dough ice cream!? xxXoOxO
Pree
The squirrel close up 😂😂😂
Brittany
LOL. I wish I had a picture of the gluttonous chipmunk too.
Mélodie
Beautiful place. The views are incredible.
Always loved a raspberry/lemon ice cream.
Brittany
Ooohh that ice cream sounds refreshing.
kagould17
Mountain hikes are the best. Thanks for sharing. Allan
Brittany
Thanks for reading and commenting!
Gina
Stracciatella ice cream all day every day!
Brittany
I had to look that up, and omg. That looks amazing!!
Allie Zottola
I can’t believe it could be so busy at 7:45 and in the 30s to start! I can see why it’s so popular though! Ending it off with ice cream sounds perfect!
Brittany
I think a handful of the cars were backpackers. This trail continues on into what’s called The Enchantments, which is a huge loop of backpacking miles.
Either way, early bird gets the parking spot. 🤣
MarketGardenReader/IntegratedExpat
You’re very brave going in that water, gorgeous though it looks. Not to mention getting up at 4am. I’m more the ‘go later and hope most people have gone home already’ type. As for ice cream, mint choc chip (sorry) because they don’t usually have it in Europe, unlike the UK. Or chocolate with no chunks because it’s now almost impossible to get without chunks. Or sorbet. Indecisive, moi?
Brittany
No need to apologize, there are many people who like mint chip! Haha. I love a good chocolate too. Chunks or no chunks. Mmmmm now I want more ice cream.
Also, while I think mint chocolate chip ice cream is an abomination, that doesn’t stop me from eating it when someone else bought it in my house. 🤣🤣
Roy McCarthy
Stunning scenery, well-captured. I’m puzzled by the floating logs in the early pics – is this some form of commercial logging?
Ice-cream, anything vegan, maybe coffee-flavoured.
Brittany
Honestly I don’t know what the logs are, they must have washed into the lake from snow melt? And then pooled into the corner. That’s my guess.
I LOVE coffee flavored ice cream. That’s my second go to aside from vanilla.
Amy
My grandpa always said the same thing about vanilla!! It was his “go to” flavor whenever he visited an ice cream shop for the first time. A brilliant approach! 😉
I always love “hiking” along with you through your photos! You captured such stunning views. You’re a much braver soul than I am for going in the lake! And starting your hike when it was in the mid-30s too… I don’t think it ever gets much below 45°F where I live. Even that’s a stretch! (Raynaud’s has turned me into a wimp — but I’m a-okay with that!)
That mental image of the chipmunk… And the little friend you did capture on camera… Priceless!!
Brittany
Your grandpa is a smart man! If i do deviate from vanilla I usually go for a coffee flavor. But with vanilla I can add bells and whistles. Didn’t finish my banana while hiking? Throw it on the ice cream. Still have some salted chocolate almonds, ICE CREAM! Hahaha.
I have learned to love the feeling of being in the cooler water. It’s a brief adaptation period, but it always feels SO good.
Amy
It’s so true! Vanilla is a great backdrop for just about any topping or mix-in, but other flavors definitely clash. I know someone whose favorite flavor is mint moose tracks (mint ice cream with mint chocolate cups and fudge), and she insists that it tastes perfectly delicious on top of apple pie… While the rest of us politely go off in search of vanilla. 😉
…and I’ll gladly volunteer to take ALL of the pictures that you want while you’re in the alpine water — from safe, dry land!
Brittany
Mint with apple makes me want to gag. 🤣 more vanilla for us!
Phil Lengthorn
Looks fantastic!
Brittany
I can’t wait to do this one again.
EricMWalk
Wow that looks like an amazing place to hike!
Brittany
It really was! I hope to make it an annual trek!
Julia Sansalone
Oh wow! I love getting an early start on hiking and running adventures like this! Beautiful pictures, what a wonderful experience.
Favorite ice cream flavor would have to be dark chocolate raspberry.
Brittany
Earlier the better I say, especially in the summer months!! I now MUST try dark chocolate raspberry. YUM.
Ilze
What a breathtaking place to be!
Brittany
I couldn’t agree more!
Belladonna
Oh look at that view!
Brittany
Gaahh I know!! Take me baackkk!
Belladonna
Right!!!!