It was August of 2020, late into the summer as life was still under partial lockdown and nothing felt normal anymore. With no concerts, or movie theaters, or safe international travel many people looked towards nature as an outlet to escape the reality that was the pandemic. As most people had to take a step back from work or school, we were able to appreciate the beauty that exists in the nature around us. One goal of mine that was inspired by the pandemic was to just get outside more. Breathe more fresh air. Go on more walks. Explore the mountains. Swim in more lakes. All of this lead to a weekend getaway to Colchuck Lake in Leavenworth Washington.
From Spokane to Leavenworth it is about a 3 hour drive, and from Seattle it is about 2 and a half hours. With many nearby campsites or hotel/Airbnb accommodations, I would recommend arriving to Leavenworth the day prior to your hike. There are so many Bavarian themed restaurants to eat at and tons of little gift shops, youโll want a couple hours to explore the downtown heart of Leavenworth. We arrived around 6:30 pm and had plenty of time before settling in for the night. If you plan on camping, make sure to reserve a campsite spot early because during peak season they fill up quite a bit ahead of time. Speaking of peak season, the ideal time of year for this hike is May through October. We waited too long and ended up sleeping in our truck in a Safeway parking lot (do not recommend). Now, letโs talk the details of the actual hike.
Iโm not going to lie, this hike is hard. As someone who did very little preparation Iโm amazed we were able to keep the morale high the whole hike. This out-and-back trail is approximately 8 and a half miles, but youโll probably add an extra mile or two walking around the perimeter of the lake to find a good swimming spot or better view. I had read somewhere that the hike was 4 miles, not realizing it was 4 miles EACH WAY. So we definitely did not come with enough water or food and I am trying to prevent you from making the same mistake. The trail head is very easy to find and is connected with the Stuart Lake Trail. However, parking can be a nightmare so whatever time you want to start hiking, arrive at least 30 minutes before that. The whole parking lot usually fills up by sunrise and cars begin to line the road leading up to it. You will need to purchase a $5 parking permit at the trail head and make sure itโs visible in your car. Dogs are not allowed at this trail, so leave the pups at home. This is a very popular hike so you will definitely encounter lots of fellow hikers on the trail. Remember to always pack out what you bring in, this is such a beautiful slice of pristine nature and we are so lucky to experience a view as breathtaking as this one. I really canโt describe the feeling once you reach the lake and see the sun glistening on such vibrant blue waters. Make sure to stop and take it all in, swim in the water even though itโs freezing cold, I promise itโs worth it.
The hike back down goes so much faster and itโs such a relief to no longer be going uphill. The overall elevation gain is 2,300 feet, and you are gonna feel it in your quads the next day. I decided to wear Chaco sandals for easy lake access, but they unfortunately left a blister and I would just recommend your most comfortable hiking shoes. Although the end goal is the lake, enjoy the journey. As you traverse through the mountains youโll come across various creeks, waterfalls, and hopefully some wildlife. 2 and a half years later, my fiancรฉ and I constantly reminisce on this weekend trip that left us in awe of the beautiful state we live in.
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