Eightmile Lake, Eightmile Mountain & Lake Caroline

A strenuous hike or backpack of up to 16 miles and 4,600 feet of elevation gain in The Enchantments area of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. The trail follows Eightmile Creek steeply to Lake Caroline after Little Eightmile Lake. Continue past Lake Caroline to Little Lake Caroline and then Windy Pass to extend your trip. From Eightmile Lake scramble Eightmile Mountain, one of the higher peaks in the Stuart Range.

getting there

From US-2 in Leavenworth drive Icicle Creek Road (Forest Road 76) for 8.4 miles. Turn left on Eightmile Road (Forest Road 7601); it's about one mile past Eightmile Campground and signed Lake Stuart/Colchuck Lake. Continue 3.0 miles to the trailhead (3,300 ft).

on the trail

eightmile lake (4,600 ft)

6.6 miles round trip with 1,300 feet of elevation gain

Hike 2.8 miles to Little Eightmile Lake. From here take the left fork and continue 0.6 mile to Eightmile Lake. The trail continues 0.8 mile along the north shore of the lake.

lake caroline (5,700 ft)

11.5 miles round trip with 3,100 feet of elevation gain

At Little Eightmile Lake, 2.8 miles from the trailhead, take the right fork and hike 3 miles to Lake Caroline.

windy pass (7,200 ft)

16.1 miles round trip with 4,600 feet of elevation gain

From Lake Caroline, hike 0.5 mile to Little Lake Caroline and then 1.8 miles to Windy Pass and the border of The Enchantments.

approach & Ascent

Eightmile Mountain (7,996 ft)

14 miles round trip with 4,800 feet of elevation gain, Difficulty: Strenuous 4, Technical 4

Hike the Eightmile Lake Trail to Eightmile Lake. While there are likely several scramble routes to the summit, the most feasible appear to be:

  • South Face: From Eightmile Lake, follow the stream a bit before finding a way to head up northerly.  This route is reportedly brushy.
  • East Face: From near the end of Eightmile Lake, head up (northerly) and angling towards the east face.  This route is reportedly less brushy.
  • Suitable Activities: Backpacking, Day Hiking
  • Seasons: July, August, September, October
  • Weather: View weather forecast
  • Difficulty: Very Strenuous
  • Length: 16.0 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 3,900 ft
  • 6,300 ft
Map
  • Green Trails Alpine Lakes East (Stuart Range) No. 208SX
  • Green Trails Enchantment Lakes No. 209S
Activities
Trip Reports
Titles

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.

  • Eightmile Lake
  • Eightmile Mountain
  • Lake Caroline
  • Eightmile Lake & Lake Caroline
  • Windy Pass
  • Windy Pass & Lake Caroline
  • Eightmile Lake, Lake Caroline & Windy Pass
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