Colchuck & Stuart Lake + a Bear: Hiking in the Enchantments

Here I combine one of the most popular hiking destinations in Washington with Lake Stuart, a spot less visited with no less grandeur. This is a gorgeous hike, and it may be my favorite I’ve done in Washington so far. I was able to start early and hike fast enough to avoid getting totally overcrowded- surprising for Memorial Day weekend. I saw LOTS of people on the Colchuck section on my way down and later in the day as I was nearing my car. The Colchuck section will be busy during all of the hiking season- the earlier or later in the year you do it the less crowds there will be. If you want to avoid crowds and see a lake that also has pristine beauty, I’d stick with Stuart Lake (it’s also less steep). Doing both lakes is an incredible and somewhat tiring trek. Always be aware of your abilities before you choose your hike. I saw many people trying to hike Colchuck who didn’t make it because they weren’t prepared for the incline- even though it’s a popular hike, it is pretty steep. There are alternative hikes out there that might fit your hiking abilities better and also have incredible views you’re looking for. Don’t let FOMO get the best of ya! Thank you for watching!