Backpack - Lake Stuart

Trip

Backpack - Lake Stuart

Be bewitched by the a quieter corner of the Enchantments: join us for a moderate backpack trip to beautiful Lake Stuart. Great for newbies and for a gear shakeout. The trip is 10 miles roundtrip with 1665 feet of elevation gain. While open to all Mountaineers, this trip is designed to offer extra coaching and skills/gear practice to Backpacking Building Blocks (B3) students.

  • Moderate
  • Moderate
  • Mileage: 10.0 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 1,665 ft
  • High Point Elevation: 5,065 ft
  • Pace: 1.5 mph

TBD

Trip plan: We will depart from the Stuart Lake trailhead, which is accessed via a dirt road that can be bumpy, though a high clearance vehicle with AWD/4WD is generally not necessary to reach this trailhead. Northwest Forest Pass required to park here.  We will hike at a moderate pace, approx. 1.5 mph. On Saturday we will cover approx. 5 miles over gently rolling terrain to Lake Stuart and set up camp on Saturday being careful to avoid areas that are under restoration, then relax by the lake. On Sunday we will retrace our steps to the trailhead; this will be an easier day given the net descent and we may move slightly faster given the downhill.  The trail generally offers good footing and isn’t very rocky; there may be downed trees and some soggy patches to cross. Trip leader will be wearing trail shoes rather than boots for this trip. Please bring your rain gear as weather in September can be fickle. Also, this lake is at a high enough elevation that bringing extra layers for warmth such as a warm hat, gloves, and insulating jacket is strongly recommended. Summer sleeping bags and 2 or 3 season tents should be adequate.

Recommended maps: Green Trails Enchantments No. 209S, USGS Cashmere Mountain, USGS Jack Ridge. The Adventure Maps map for Wenatchee/Leavenworth or its digital equivalent also is good. You can download this Adventure Maps' map for free using the Apple iOS or Android Avenza Map app.

Please note: participants must send trip leader $15 to cover the Enchantments permit in order to be confirmed on the roster. This $15 will be reimbursable upon cancellation only if a substitute is found to take your place.

You can send the money to your trip leader, Dr. Gabrielle Orsi, via Paypal.com or Venmo using gepopoff@alumni.brown.edu. For Venmo you can also find Gabrielle using gorsi77. If you don't use either of these services, please email trip leader for her mailing address to send a check/money order.

 

Route/Place

Lake Stuart



  • USGS Enchantment Lakes

    Green Trails Enchantment Lakes No. 209S

    Green Trails Alpine Lakes East (Stuart Range) No. 208SX
  • See full route/place details.
Roster
Required Equipment

Required Equipment

The Ten Essentials plus overnight gear which may include:

  • Tent with footprint/ground tarp
  • Stove and fuel
  • Sleeping bag
  • Sleeping pad
  • Water filter
  • Bear canister or extra stuff sack and cord designated for hanging food
  • Cooking pot/pan with plate and utensils
  • Toilet paper and shovel or blue bag to deal with waste
  • Rain gear
Trip Reports