Trail Guide

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Stuart Lake
(The Alpine Lakes)


Stuart Lake trail #1599 is forested and climbs gently entering the Alpine Lakes Wilderness at .6 miles. At 2½ miles arrive at the junction with Colchuck Lake Trail #1599.1 (4500'). The more popular and less rugged Stuart Lake trail continues straight ahead. The trail climbs gently and at times even loses some elevation as it climbs toward Stuart Lake. The way is a mixture of open, old-growth forest punctuated with dog-hair, young, more closely spaced trees replenishing burned areas. You also pass within view of several marshy meadows and at one point the trail touches on the banks of Mountaineers Creek.

The trail gains an easy 550' elevation in the next 2½ miles. The few clearings along the trail don't give you much of a hint of what lays ahead. The trail passes through a clearing thick with brush and wild-flowers in season just before it encounters the northern shore of the Stuart Lake. The lake shore is heavily wooded and numerous campsites are scattered along north side.

The trail skirts the lake and continues on west passing a large marshy meadow. Stand at the edge of the meadow for a stunning view of Jack Ridge and Mount Stuart.

Notes:

  • Dogs are prohibited
  • Over-night camping permitts are required. Stop by the Leavenworth Ranger Station to pick one up.
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    Driving Directions:
    From the west end of the town of Leavenworth on Highway 2, turn south on Icicle Creek Road. Drive 8½ miles to the Eight Mile Creek Road (FS #7601). Drive four miles more to the road's end and the Stuart Lake Trailhead. There is a very large parking area and an outhouse.
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    • Statistics
    Distance: 9 mi r/t
    Time: 6h r/t
    Elevation Gain in: 1620 ft
    Elevation Gain out: 0 ft
    Trailhead Elevation: 3440 ft
    Maximum Elevation: 5060 ft
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    Trails (Click for reports)
    STUART LK #1599

    Suggested Seasons
    Summer
    Fall
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    Users
    Hikers
    Climbers
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    Author's Ratings
    Usage: Over-used
    Difficulty: Moderate
    Rating: Average
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    Attractions
    Basins
    Lakes
    Old Growth
    River
    Views
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    Maps & Books
    USGS Cashmere Mountain
    USGS Jack Ridge
    Green Trails #177: Chiwaukum Mnts
    Green Trails #209: Mount Stuart
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    Many of the above books and
    maps are available through our
    Online Store

    Written by
    Bill Sunderland
    Jul 04, 2001

    Trailhead Location is Latitude 47:31.699 N by Longitude 120:49.177 W [edit]

    Note: positions are PDA (pretty-damn-approximate)
    CRGNSA - Columbia River Gorge Scenic Area, CNF - Colville National Forest, GPNF - Gifford-Pinchot National Forest, MBSNF - Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, MRNP - Mount Rainier National Park, MSHNVM - Mount Saint Helens National Volcanic Monument, NCNP - North Cascades National Park, ONF - Olympic National Forest, ONP - Olympic National Park, WNF - Wenatchee National Forest, UNF - Umatilla National Forest