Larch Lake
by Craig Romano
produced by Michael Fagin
by Craig Romano
produced by Michael Fagin
Quick Facts
Location: Chiwaukum Mountains
Land Agency: Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Wenatchee National Forest
Roundtrip: 24 miles
Cumulative Elevation gain: 4,300 feet
Access: : From Everett, WA head east on US 2. Beyond Coles Corner and just before the Tumwater Campground turn right (west) onto Chiwaukum Creek Road. Proceed a short distance to trailhead.
Notes: NW Forest Pass Required, Dogs prohibited
Green Trails Map: Chiwaukum, Mts, WA No. 177
October
22, 2004
Every October in the rugged high country east of the Cascade Crest, western and alpine larches perform an amazing artistic arrangement. As the shadows grow long and the first snows fall, the supple green needles of these hardy deciduous conifers turn yellow- illuminating the high country with a golden glow.
The surrounding ground-hugging blueberry bushes add their touch-unrolling a fiery crimson carpet across the forest floor. Overhead, a deep blue sky interrupted by puffy white clouds provides a striking contrast to the radiant landscape. It's an exhilarating show of nature and you'll need to exert a little energy to see it. The prettiest parts of larch country are only accessible by trail. Larch Lake, perched high (6,000 ft) in a remote corner of the Chiwaukum Mountains, is one of the best spots in the entire Cascade Range for witnessing this performance.
The approach is long, but magical. You'll be greeted by a flank of larches upon entering the basin containing this wilderness lake. On the radiating ridges above, larches peer down at you like golden warriors. Higher up, tucked between the rock and ice of the surrounding mountains are even more larches- resplendent sentinels keeping watch.
Once here, the rocky shoreline of Larch Lake calls out to be explored. Surrounding meadows and basins invite further ramblings. Tucked away in a stark cirque, 400 feet above Larch is tiny Cup Lake. Hardy and straggling larches tenaciously grow here too- in what little soil that surrounds this lake. Sip on the striking views that flow from Cup.
The hike to Larch Lake is via the Chiwaukum Creek and North Fork Chiwaukum Creek Trails, a 12 mile trek through old-growth forests and quiet valleys. En route you'll pass sprawling Chiwaukum Lake-a worthy objective in itself.
Larch Lake can be reached by a much easier 6 mile route for those who stay at the Scottish Lakes Backcountry Camps (accessible by arranged pick-up). This shorter hike includes a jaunt over McCue Ridge with its panoramic perspective of the Chiwaukum high-country.
No matter how you choose to get here-you must act fast, for the needles are dropping- this show won't last. However, there's always next year's performance-guaranteed!
Visit the archives here
Every October in the rugged high country east of the Cascade Crest, western and alpine larches perform an amazing artistic arrangement. As the shadows grow long and the first snows fall, the supple green needles of these hardy deciduous conifers turn yellow- illuminating the high country with a golden glow.
The surrounding ground-hugging blueberry bushes add their touch-unrolling a fiery crimson carpet across the forest floor. Overhead, a deep blue sky interrupted by puffy white clouds provides a striking contrast to the radiant landscape. It's an exhilarating show of nature and you'll need to exert a little energy to see it. The prettiest parts of larch country are only accessible by trail. Larch Lake, perched high (6,000 ft) in a remote corner of the Chiwaukum Mountains, is one of the best spots in the entire Cascade Range for witnessing this performance.
The approach is long, but magical. You'll be greeted by a flank of larches upon entering the basin containing this wilderness lake. On the radiating ridges above, larches peer down at you like golden warriors. Higher up, tucked between the rock and ice of the surrounding mountains are even more larches- resplendent sentinels keeping watch.
Once here, the rocky shoreline of Larch Lake calls out to be explored. Surrounding meadows and basins invite further ramblings. Tucked away in a stark cirque, 400 feet above Larch is tiny Cup Lake. Hardy and straggling larches tenaciously grow here too- in what little soil that surrounds this lake. Sip on the striking views that flow from Cup.
The hike to Larch Lake is via the Chiwaukum Creek and North Fork Chiwaukum Creek Trails, a 12 mile trek through old-growth forests and quiet valleys. En route you'll pass sprawling Chiwaukum Lake-a worthy objective in itself.
Larch Lake can be reached by a much easier 6 mile route for those who stay at the Scottish Lakes Backcountry Camps (accessible by arranged pick-up). This shorter hike includes a jaunt over McCue Ridge with its panoramic perspective of the Chiwaukum high-country.
No matter how you choose to get here-you must act fast, for the needles are dropping- this show won't last. However, there's always next year's performance-guaranteed!
Visit the archives here