Eightmile Lake Trail #1552
Explore the Eighmile/Caroline Zone of the Enchantments on this popular day hike.
Total Distance: 7.8 miles
Total Ascent: 1400ft
Highest Point: 4700ft
Total Ascent: 1400ft
Highest Point: 4700ft
Take US 2 to Leavenworth. Just before you enter town, take a right onto Icicle Creek Road (FR 76). Follow Icicle Creek Road for 8.4 miles to Eightmile Road (aka FR 7601). Turn left and follow the gravel road over Icicle Creek for about 2.9 miles to the Eightmile Lake Trailhead. Privy available. View Google Directions >>
From the parking area, the trail follows Eightmile Creek, quickly serving up impressive views of towering Dragontail Peak and Colchuck Peak. After a mile of mild elevation gain, note the abandoned logging road bed that parallels the trail and keep left, before crossing a wooden bridge spanning Pioneer Creek. Soon after, enter the Alpine Lakes Wilderness while passing what remains of the ponderosa pines that once lined the trail.
Within the wilderness, the trail begins to climb with more earnest, switchbacking in places and crossing talus fields to reach Little Eightmile Lake at the 2.8 mile mark. Find the junction with the Eightmile-Trout Creek Trail #1554 here, which leads up to Lake Caroline, Windy Pass and Trout Lake. Push onward another .5 mile to Eightmile Lake, tucked quietly in a bowl at the base of Eightmile Mountain which rises grandly at the far end of the lake.There's a lot more to Eightmile Lake, and you can learn all about it in Alpine Lakes Wilderness: The Complete Hiking Guide. You'll find a trail map, route descriptions, history, and more for this and many other hikes throughout the State. Help support hikingwithmybrother.com and the work we do by picking up a copy!
Within the wilderness, the trail begins to climb with more earnest, switchbacking in places and crossing talus fields to reach Little Eightmile Lake at the 2.8 mile mark. Find the junction with the Eightmile-Trout Creek Trail #1554 here, which leads up to Lake Caroline, Windy Pass and Trout Lake. Push onward another .5 mile to Eightmile Lake, tucked quietly in a bowl at the base of Eightmile Mountain which rises grandly at the far end of the lake.There's a lot more to Eightmile Lake, and you can learn all about it in Alpine Lakes Wilderness: The Complete Hiking Guide. You'll find a trail map, route descriptions, history, and more for this and many other hikes throughout the State. Help support hikingwithmybrother.com and the work we do by picking up a copy!
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