Trip Details:
|
Leave Renton |
06:06AM |
|
Arrive Trailhead |
09:25AM |
|
Hiking |
09:39AM |
|
Trail Fork |
10:33AM |
|
Colchuck Lake turnaround spot |
11:48AM |
|
Back to Trail fork |
12:55PM |
|
Lake Stuart Lunch Stop |
01:58PM |
|
Leave Lake |
02:19PM |
|
Trailhead |
04:06PM |
|
Snow |
Only a couple of patches about 1/3 mile from Lake Stuart. |
|
Bugs |
Worse at the trailhead. Avon bug guard/tights/base layer long sleeve shirt solved 95% of the problem along with a nice breeze especially at Colchuck Lake |
|
Weather |
70's I guess. Cloudy the whole time. A few rain showers that didn't bother much on the way down from Lake Stuart. |
| Crowds | Nothing like the hiking books said. Maybe the not hot/sunny weather held them off. I'll take crowds like this (or lack of them) any day. As a bonus if you don't like loose dogs, there were no dogs on the day since they are forbidden on these trails. |
| Scenic Value | I liked Colchuck better but both lakes are pretty. Colchuck also has some interesting further explorations possible. |
| Difficulty | Other than the 13 miles or so of walking, the trails are in excellent shape and in general graded moderately. The Colchuck trail does have some steeper roots/rocks sections, but they come and go and it is not relentless. |
Narrative:
Left the Renton/Fairwood area about
06:06AM hoping to get an early start. The weather actually looked cloudier as I
went East. Even had a few raindrops going through Sauk pass.
As happens with road construction etc and
a quick McDonalds breakfast stop in Leavenworth (what no McDonalds in Cle Elem?) I wasn't at the trail head until 09:25AM.
The parking lot had cars but was not full. The first thing I noticed was no dogs are allowed on this trail. Angry Hiker would be pleased to be able to avoid the ankle biting poodles. Per the sign I saw zero dogs all day.
After reading the hiking books, I expected more of a mob scene. As soon as I opened the door, I knew mosquitoes were a problem. Had 3 on me and a couple flew into the car. Sprayed up and put on tights and a long sleeve base layer which solved 95% of the bug problems. It wasn't going to be a hot day, in fact I was just hopeful to avoid the rain.
Was on the trailhead by about 09:39am or so. The first 2.29 miles are fairly easy trail with generally moderate elevation gains. About 1100 feet gained in this distance. You basically walk up the Mountaineer creek valley with some impressive rapids and a nice log bridge crossing about a 1.5 miles in (3/4 mile from the junction).
A few views open up along the way and you soon reach the junction where you can go straight ahead to Lake Stuart, or take a left and head up towards Colchuck Lake. I saw only a handful of people coming down on my way up to the junction. Passed 3 guys doing ski the glacier and had no one pass me. Hardly the mobs I was expecting. I opted to do Colchuck first taking the left fork.
The trail starts in forest and soon cross a raging creek on a log bridge. The bridge is fine, but on the other side are a couple of wobbly rocks you have to step on to finish the crossing and truly get to the other side.
Then the trail goes through some rocks, back in the forest etc. There is one rock hopping creek crossing to be made which requires a little caution but is not a real problem.
This trail segment varies from a few flat sections to moderate with some steep sections of roots and rocks. The roots and rocks sections are somewhat reminiscent of the Rachel Lake trail. The difference is these are only in relatively short pieces and not for the duration. You have views of a couple of waterfalls and there are various open spots where you can get some mountain views worth of some pictures before actually getting to the lake. I only saw 3 women coming down on my way up.
After 1.88 miles and about 1100 feet gained you reach a nice spot on the lake
with some good views. You can continue on the "official trail" for probably another mile or
so and get to the foot of the Colchuck Glacier. You can then follow the snow up
the glacier or a boot path up to Aasgard
pass which still has a fair amount of snow. The only people I saw up there were people walking up the glacier in the distance.
No one else was up/around the lake areas. There was a decent 15mph breeze
blowing so bugs were not an issue where I stopped. Since I was doing both lakes
I opted to stop here briefly take some pictures, eat a snack and head back down to the
junction saving further explorations for another trip perhaps in the fall.
The trip down to junction uneventful. I did past a dozen people or so total. 3/4 of them were hauling ski's/snowboards up to ski the glacier. Again hardly the mobs I was expecting.
Back at the junction it's off to Lake Stuart. Just under 2.5 more miles about 633 feet gained. Definitely the easier fork to take, no tricky crossings. This is more your grandma's/small kids trail than the way up to Colchuck. There were just a couple of minor lingering patches of snow about 1/3 mile from the lake. Nothing at the lake. On the way to the lake you alternate between meadows and forests.
Once at the lake I saw a few people, but no mobs for sure. Had no trouble parking for lunch. Bugs were present, but had a slight breeze and the bug stuff must have curtailed them for the most part. I ate lunch, took a few pictures and headed back down. I could smell rain in the air.
On the way down it did shower a few times, but nothing to warrant the rain gear. Made it back to the car about 04:10PM, about 6 hours and 30 minutes car to car. Hardly saw anyone on the way down either. This was the weekend to avoid the dreaded crowds I read about. Never saw the sun, which kept the heat down and made for almost perfect temperature hiking weather for how I was dressed.
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Last Updated 06/23/2008
