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Colchuck & Dragontail Peaks

Trip

Basic Alpine Climb - Colchuck & Dragontail Peaks

We only have 4 permits for Colchuck Lake on these dates; you must have climbed with us before or be part of our permit pool to request permission. We must enter on May 16 but will use the best weather day of the 3 days to climb Colchuck Peak via Colchuck Col. This is a new and exploratory route for us, so the summit is not guaranteed. Depending on group strength and desire, we may try for Dragontail via Pandora's Box, but Colchuck will be our objective.

Contacts

Meryl Lassen
Meryl Lassen
Primary Leader
  • Fri, May 16, 2025 — Sun, May 18, 2025
  • Kitsap Branch Climbing Program
  • Climbing
  • Basic Alpine
  • Adults
  • Basic Alpine Climb, Strenuous 4, Technical 4, Strenuous 2, Technical 2, Basic Experience Climb
  • Challenging
  • Mileage: 10.0 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 5,440 ft
  • Pace: 1000ft/hr

Tentative itinerary:

Friday, May 16 - Meet Lake Stuart TH (likely 9am). Hike in to Colchuck Lake. Set up camp, probably on snow. Scout ascent route. Early to bed.

Saturday, May 17 - Start at 6 a.m. Take Colchuck Glacier and Col up to rock scramble summit of Colchuck Peak. Descend and scout route through Pandora's Box to Dragontail. We will only do this peak if the entire group feels comfortable with the risk levels and exposure. If we do DT, we'll take the Asgaard Pass route down. If not, we'll go back down the Colchuck route. Down before sunset.

Sunday, May 18 - Sleep in :-) Out and optional meal in Lworth.  (If Saturday's weather is marginal, we may do the Colchuck climb Sunday, out and back on the Colchuck route, then break camp and head out.)

May 16, Lake Stuart Trailhead. Time TBD. We will pick up the permits in Leavenworth early that morning, so start time may be as late as 9am if weather is good. If there are a.m. showers, we could go in the afternoon.

Route/Place

Colchuck & Dragontail Peaks


  • Green Trails Alpine Lakes East (Stuart Range) No. 208SX
    USGS Enchantment Lakes
    Green Trails The Enchantments No. 209S
    USGS Mount Stuart
  • See full route/place details.
Roster
Required Equipment

Required Equipment

  • The Ten Essentials
  • Mountain boots that can accept crampons (not hiking boots)
  • Crampons
  • An ice axe (not technical ice tools)
  • A back pack (40 to 60 liters)
  • Webbing, prusik and accessory cords
  • 4 locking carabiners
  • 4 non-lockers
  • 1 Picket
  • Climbing harness
  • Helmet
  • Fleece or puffy jacket
  • Rain jacket and full-zip rain pants
  • Belay gloves
  • Warm gloves or mittens
  • Winter backpacking gear (sturdy tent, R5+ sleeping pad, sleeping bag warm to 20*F)
  • Group gear TBD (stoves, water filters, portable chargers, radios, in-reaches, etc...)
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