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Dragontail
Peak : SE Ridge  Highpoint Elevation: 8840 Feet Region/Location: Alpine Lakes Region, Wenatchee National Forest,
Leavenworth Ranger District Trip Length:
1 Day Route: Colchuck
Lake Trail Difficulty:
Strenuous / Class 2 Elevation Gain: 5340 Feet Roundtrip Distance:
12.5 Miles Trailhead Elevation: 3500 Feet Date: July
27, 2002Photos by: Scott Harder |
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Since my traverse of the Enchantments in October 2001, I had been drawn
towards Dragontail Peak. There is an incredible image of it in my family
room that was taken by Robert Bolton. With the extension of the road closure
till Aug 1, I grabbed John and we headed out to Leavenworth on Friday night. We left the Stuart
Lake trailhead and made it to Colchuck Lake by 1030am. We traversed around
the lake and ate food while resting for half an hour at the base of Aasgard
Pass. We started the ascent in hot weather and heavy packs (we had planned
to do Witches Tower as well), but after about 300 vertical feet we were
dying and knew that time would not be on our side to do both, so we opted
to only do Dragontail. We left our rock gear behind and with lighter packs
we made it to the top of Aasgard Pass by 130pm. It was hot, strenuous, and
for some reason we got onto the wrong route going right of the large cliff
that sits about 5-600 feet up from the lake. Before we knew it we were scrambling
some 3rd and 4th class moves near a waterfall on some polished granite.
For almost the remainder of the way we were on the wrong path, although
boot beaten, it was not the same way that I remember back in October 2001. The bugs were hideous,
with hopping creatures that flew by every second in front of you. Once at
the top of the pass the view was incredible, and we made our way up towards
the Snow Creek Glacier. The Upper Enchantment Lakes presented themselves
to us, with some of the ice broken up looking like mini icebergs floating
around in them. I absolutely love this area, and cannot wait until I can
spend a week or so up here and take my time in checking out some of the
coolest peaks and rock climbs. We started our ascent of the glacier and
traversed back and forth in the soft styrafoam snow that had a nice ice
layer underneath and made it to the col in 30 minutes or less. Once we were
there I was looking for the class 2-3 scramble that I have always heard
about, but it's nothing more than an unusually well traveled trail that
was 10 times better than Aasgard pass. There were flowers, and steps that
seemed to be placed everywhere by wandering boulders and slabs. There might
have been a few class 2 or 3 moves near the summit, but it was more like
playing at the playground, nothing was an exposed move. By 4pm we had reached
the summit, and the views were 360 degrees. We decided to turn around and
head for the car. I can't say anything more than I suffered on the way down,
after doing Rainier on Tuesday, I felt the pain - but was happy to have
been perched on the summit of Dragontail (11 hours car to car). Directions: Drive east on U.S. Route 2 over Stevens Pass to Leavenworth. On the west outskirt of town, turn right on Icicle Creek Road and drive 8.5 miles to Forest Service road No. 7601, which turns off to the left, just past Eightmile Creek Campground. Drive four miles to the Stuart Lake trailhead, elevation approximately 3,500 feet. Maps: USGS: Enchantment
Lakes Green Trails The Enchantments
209S Permits: A Northwest Forest
Pass is required for each vehicle parked at the trailhead.
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