Lake Edna
Explore boulder-strewn creek basins, stands of alpine forest and lonely lakesides on this sometimes-challenging trek up to Lake Edna.
Total Distance: 11.2 miles
Total Ascent: 4900ft (4500ft in; 400ft out)
Highest Point: 6750ft
Total Ascent: 4900ft (4500ft in; 400ft out)
Highest Point: 6750ft
Take US 2 to Leavenworth. Just before you enter town, take a right onto Icicle Creek Road (FR 76). Continue to follow Icicle Creek Road as the pavement turns to gravel at 12.5 miles and then keeping right at the Y just beyond. At 14.9 miles, turn right into the Chatter Creek Trailhead just before reaching the Chatter Creek Guard Station. View Google Directions >>
The hike begins from the Chatter Creek Trailhead, following the Chatter Creek Trail #1580 up through trees and talus. Reach Chatter Creek after about a mile where the trail narrows and angles steeply up into the creek valley. Soon after the bridge enter the Alpine Lakes Wilderness at 1.2 miles.
The trail is easy to follow, though undergrowth can make it hard to see in sections. Pass a good campsite at 1.9 miles just before crossing Chatter Creek again. Push onward, finding another excellent campsite at 2.5 miles, offering big views of the surrounding landscape.
Eventually reach a broad bowl where your destination is a low, nearly barren saddle high up on the ridgeline, easily spotted on your approach by the ribbon of trail cut through the boulders and scree below it. Slowly but surely, climb the long, rocky switchbacks up the slopes. At 4.2 miles from the trailhead, some call it a day here and it is no wonder – peaks and valley fan out in all directions from this vantage point.
To reach Lake Edna, descend into the rubble-filled bowl below. Work your way across the valley bottom through patches of greenery clinging to the rocks near snowmelt driven streams. Keep to the most well-worn trail here, avoiding thinner bootpaths that lead will lead you astray. Climb up along a rushing creek to reach the junction with the Icicle Ridge Trail #1570 at the 5.3-mile mark. Veer left and straight up 0.3 miles to reach little Lake Edna.There's a lot more to Lake Edna, 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!
The trail is easy to follow, though undergrowth can make it hard to see in sections. Pass a good campsite at 1.9 miles just before crossing Chatter Creek again. Push onward, finding another excellent campsite at 2.5 miles, offering big views of the surrounding landscape.
Eventually reach a broad bowl where your destination is a low, nearly barren saddle high up on the ridgeline, easily spotted on your approach by the ribbon of trail cut through the boulders and scree below it. Slowly but surely, climb the long, rocky switchbacks up the slopes. At 4.2 miles from the trailhead, some call it a day here and it is no wonder – peaks and valley fan out in all directions from this vantage point.
To reach Lake Edna, descend into the rubble-filled bowl below. Work your way across the valley bottom through patches of greenery clinging to the rocks near snowmelt driven streams. Keep to the most well-worn trail here, avoiding thinner bootpaths that lead will lead you astray. Climb up along a rushing creek to reach the junction with the Icicle Ridge Trail #1570 at the 5.3-mile mark. Veer left and straight up 0.3 miles to reach little Lake Edna.There's a lot more to Lake Edna, 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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