Colchuck & Dragontail Peaks
Combo trip of Colchuck Peak via East Route and Dragontail Peak via Colchuck Col.
getting there
From SR 2 in Leavenworth drive Icicle Creek Road (Forest Road 76) for 8.4 miles. Turn left on Eightmile Road (Forest Road 7601), about one mile past Eightmile Campground and signed Lake Stuart/Colchuck Lake. Continue 3.8 miles to the trailhead (3,400 ft).
approach
Head southwest on the Stuart Lake Trail. At first the trail parallels Mountaineer Creek and gains 1,100 feet in 2.5 miles. At the junction take the left fork, the Colchuck Lake Trail. The trail is steep and reaches Colchuck Lake via switchbacks in 1,100 feet of elevation gain and 1.6 miles. At Colchuck Lake, an easy going 1.1 miles travels the east and south shores. There are campsites on both the west side and the south end of the lake. Camp as near the south end as possible.
Ascent
Colchuck Peak/East Route
Ascend snow (early season) or talus to glacier (no crevasses but can be icy by mid-season) and follow glacier to Colchuck Col. From Colchuck Col...
Dragontail Peak/Colchuck Col
Ascend snow (early season) or talus to glacier (no crevasses but can be icy by mid-season) and follow glacier to Colchuck Col. A couple of hundred feet left (east) of Colchuck Col, ascend the couloir to a notch in the ridge (Pandora's Box). Drop down and left, then traverse left (northeast) to the summit; some parties use ropes for this part. Alternatively, about 30 feet below Pandora's Box, exit left and scramble up Class 4 rock about 20 feet, then follow the ridge line left.
Dragontail Peak/Aasgard Pass
Ascend southeast on a broad, steep slope to Aasgard Pass. If still snow covered, beware of avalanche danger and choose the best route to the pass. If snow free, there is a climber’s trail in the scree on the left side of the slope--look for cairns. From Aasgard Pass (7,800 ft), ascend southwest up the slope to the saddle at 8,500 ft. From the saddle, ascend northwest about 300 feet to the summit. The summit is a small bedrock clump that drops on the north.
Dragontail & Colchuck Peaks
DESCENT ROUTE
aasgard Pass
From the summit of Dragontail Peak, descend southeast to the saddle at 8,500 ft. Then descend east on a long snow slope to Aasgard Pass. From Aasgard Pass descend to Colchuck Lake. Routefinding from Aasgard Pass can be tricky. Stay to center left at top to avoid cliffs. Below the cliffs move to right side of gully. NOTE: In early season, almost the entire descent can be glissaded. But use caution--serious accidents have happened glissading from Aasgard Pass.
colchuck col
Ascend snow (early season) or talus to glacier (no crevasses but can be icy by mid-season) and follow glacier to Colchuck Col
TRIP PROFILE
| SEGMENT | TIME (HR) | ELEVATION GAIN (FT) |
|---|---|---|
| Trailhead to Camp | 2-4 | 2,000 |
| Camp to Summit | 3-6 | 3,200 |
| Summit to Camp | 2 | |
| Camp to Trailhead | 2-3 |
EQUIPMENT
Standard alpine equipment including crampons.
NOTES
In early season, almost the entire descent can be glissaded. But use caution; serious accidents have happened glissading from Aasgard Pass. The ascent and descent can be reversed but the route-finding to get to Colchuck Col can be tricky. No credit is given for ascending and descending via Aasgard Pass.
- Suitable Activities: Climbing
- Climbing Category: Basic Alpine
- Seasons: May, June, July, August
- Weather: View weather forecast.
- Difficulty: Basic Alpine Climb
- Elevation Gain: 5,440 ft
- 8,840 ft
-
Land Manager:
Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forests
Alpine Lakes Wilderness
- Parking Permit Required: Northwest Forest Pass
- Recommended Party Size: 8
- Maximum Party Size: 12
- Green Trails The Enchantments No. 209S
- Green Trails Alpine Lakes East (Stuart Range) No. 208SX
- USGS Enchantment Lakes
- USGS Mt Stuart
Upcoming Activities
There are no activities scheduled at this location.
This is a list of titles that represent the variations of trips you can take at this route/place. This includes side trips, extensions and peak combinations. Not seeing a title that fits your trip? Log in and send us updates, images, or resources.
- Colchuck Peak
- Colchuck Peak/East Route
- Dragontail Peak
- Dragontail Peak/Colchuck Col
- Dragontail Peak/Aasgard Pass
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