Colchuck Peak

From Colchuck Lake (north)
Photo by Dean

From the NW

Overview

From the NE
Colchuck on the right

From the SW
Colchuck on the left

Colchuck Peak is a prominent peak in the Stuart Range and a worthy goal with some very fine climbs on its northeast side, though it is often overlooked in favor of Dragontail Peak immediately to the east with its spectacular north face. The easiest routes are scrambles from the south and / or the Colchuck Col at the top of the Colchuck Glacier to the east. There are several high points with the western most being the true summit.




Elvin R. Johnson, Norma Johnson, William A. Long and Kathy Long made the first recorded ascent of Colchuck Peak via the Colchuck Glacier / East Route on 11 August 1948.

Getting There

Colchuck Lake
Colcuck Peak on the right

From the south, the peak may be approached via the Ingalls Creek Trail either from its trailhead accessed from US Highway 2, or via Longs Pass - Ingalls Way Trail - accessed from the end of the Teanaway Road south from Cle Elum, WA. This is certainly the long way to the peak - about 11 miles via the Ingalls Creek Trail and up Porcupine Creek or between 7 and 9 miles via Longs Pass and up Porcupine Creek.

CleElum District trails: Cle Elum Trails

From the north, the peak is approached via the Colchuck Lake Trail and / or the Stuart Lake Trail reached from Leavenworth, WA. It is about 4.1 miles from the trailhead to Colchuck Lake. The junction of the Stuart Lake and Colchuck Lake trails is about 2.5 miles from the trailhead. From the junction, it is 1.6 miles to Colchuck Lake.

Leavenworth District trails: Leavenworth District Trails

Red Tape

Enough to circle the mountain and tie it in a bow. Day use does not normally require a permit, but camping is heavily restricted. The permit process is complicated - visit this link for details:

Alpine Lakes Wilderness Regulations and Permits

Routes Overview

NE side routes

1) East Route (Beckey), scramble. A short scramble from the Colchuck Col which can be attained via talus slopes from the south or via Colchuck Glacier from the north.

This route is commonly called the Colchuck Glacier Route because most parties attain the col from this direction.

2) Northwest Route, scramble. From Mountaineer Creek to the northwest of the mountain one climbs more or less straight up the northwest side of the peak with a detour to the left around the prominent rock band. There may be steep snow early in the season.
 

NW side routes

3) North Buttress, Grade II, Class 3 & 4 if one climbs west of the crest as suggested by Beckey, but with some very nice easy class 5 climbing directly on the crest. The buttress is attained from the south end of Colchuck Lake via a shallow gully leading to a col or notch low on the peak.

4) North Buttress Couloir, Grade II, snow to 45 degrees, Class 3 & 4 or easy Class 5 upon joining the North Buttress Route. The couloir is entered at the lower end of Colchuck Glacier.

NE Buttress Route

5) Northeast Face, Grade II, Class 5.2. The route is not well defined, but seems to go more or less directly up the face on a series of chimneys and ledges.

6) Northeast Couloir, Grade II or III. This is a very steep couloir beginning about a third of the way up Colchuck Glacier. The entry and the exit can be quite difficult with snow or ice up to 60 degrees. It is recommended as a winter route only.

A well written trip report with super photos: NE Couloir Climb

7) Northeast Buttress, Grade III or IV, Class 5.8. This 18-pitch route requiring about 10 hours from the lake to the summit ascends the prominent northeast buttress near its crest.

Winter & Early Spring Climbs

The North Buttress Couloir and the Northeast Couloir are highly recommended winter or very early spring climbs. The North Buttress Couloir can be climbed until later in the summer, the Northeast Couloir is best done only under winter / early spring conditions.

Camping

Colchuck Lake

See Red Tape and this link for details:

Wenatchee National Forest - Camping

Mountain Conditions & Miscellaneous Info

Wenatchee National Forest Recreation page with links to trail conditions, etc.:

Wenatchee Forest Recreation Page

External Links

• Colchuck Peak or "Don't walk on thin ice
  
  

Additions and CorrectionsPost an Addition or Correction

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Josh Lewis - Aug 13, 2011 3:56 am - Hasn't voted

Gpx File and Virtual Map

For those who want a virtual map of Colchuck Peak, Click here. And for those who want a gpx file for the route, view it here.

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