Hike to Colchuck Lake 9/29/20, Tuesday, self-guided

Colchuck Lake is tied for the most spectacular lake and mountain scenery in the northwest with the jagged, twin spires of Dragontail and Colchuck Peaks reaching for the sky at the far end of the lake. This is a bucket-list hike for everybody!
The easy first couple of miles changes to a fairly steep, sometimes rooty Colchuck Lake Trail about halfway; but the trail is accessible for most people. It's an out-and-back hike of about 8 1/2 miles with about 2,200 feet of elevation gain.
It’s supposed to be over 80 degrees and sunny in Leavenworth all week. I didn't try for a camp site at the lake through the famous lottery, so I’ll be camping at the Leavenworth/Pine Village KOA Monday night. I’ll have enough beef brats, camp bread, and s’mores to share; and I’ll post my tent site number at the KOA office.
We’ll be social distancing.
The hike begins on the Stuart Lake Trail #1599, and the Colchuck Lake Trail #1599.1 (#1955A) eventually branches off to the left. Green Trails Enchantments number 209S is a useful map to download if you don’t have one. Co-ordinates: 47.5277, -120.8210
This is a self-guided hike, so people shouldn’t feel a need to adjust their pace to others. I’ll be taking it easy and stopping frequently to take pictures.
We can meet up at the trailhead at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday. I plan to arrive earlier than that to secure a parking spot since trip reports on WTA make me think the parking lot may be full early, and parking on the road is also limited.
Parking is allowed at the trailhead and only on the right side of Road 7601 between Eightmile Lake and Stuart Lake trailheads. Parking anywhere else along Road 7601 is not allowed.
We’ll need a Northwest Forest Pass or pay $5 when we self-register at the TH.
Tom E

Driving to the trailhead from Leavenworth: Turn onto Icicle Creek Road from US2 on the western edge of Leavenworth. Drive 8.4 miles and turn left onto Forest Service Road 7601. Follow the bumpy, sometimes potholed dirt road 3.7 miles to the Stuart Lake trailhead. Parking for about 20-30 cars and a toilet are available in the lot.