Dragontail Peak - 8840' - aasgard pass class 2+
October 2012
Yesterday I climbed Dragontail Peak with my friends Josh and Amy. We hiked up to Colchuck Lake Friday in the dark and camped. Woke up to a light falling snow but it soon became partly cloudy with some fantastic views that got better and better as we headed up Aasgard Pass. Upper Enchantment Basin got about 10 inches of snow Friday night and Colchuck Lake got about 2 inches. No snow fell on Sunday except for around a half inch just after dard when we hiked out.
Summit of Dragontail was perfect. Not much rime yet. Some color remaining especially below Colchuck Lake. Aasgard Pass had some icy sections that required more attention otherwise just a little snow covered the rocks. Trail was easy to see the whole way up.
Gaitors were a huge plus and microspikes might help but I didn't use them. About a foot of fresh snow covered the hard icy remnant snow that is the permanent snowfield on the way up Dragontail above the pass.
Dragontail Peak Beta
Overview
Dragontail Peak is the second highest peak in the Stuart Range, exceeded only by 9,415 foot Mt. Stuart. The name Dragontail comes from the jagged ridge of rock needles on the thin ridge crest SW of the summit resembling a long spiny trail of a dragon. Rock on this peak is unusually sound and its expansive NW face is one of the finest walls in the Cascades. The north and NE faces are also very impressive. The summit ridge extends about 1/2 mile and includes several summit towers. There is an easy walkup route on the south side of the peak. For scramblers, a climb of Dragontail is a great addition to a backpacking trip to the Enchantment Lakes.
The climbing and mountaineering potential on this mountain is huge. There are routes that will challenge the seasoned climber in both summer and winter as well as a handful of scramble routes to challenge the up and rising mountaineers. Located in one of the most popular areas in the state, solitude is hard to come by but the area is so beautiful it just has to be climbed. Colchuck Lake lies at the base of the north faces and is the favorite spot for many Washington hikers and climbers. A climb of Dragontail Peak will surely bring happiness to anyone attempting any of the many classic routes.
 Dragontail Peak from Upper Enchantment Lakes |
 The north face of Dragontail Peak |
 The northeast face |
Getting There
There are two trailheads used to climb Dragontail. The choice depends on the climbing route desired. For the rock routes on the north side of the peak, approach via Colchuck Lake. For the walk-up route on the south side of the peak, either the Colchuck Lake/Aasgard Pass approach can be used, or you can hike the Snow Creek trail and ascend to the Enchantment basin from Snow Lakes. Dragontail is situated at the high west end of the Enchantment Basin, so the Snow Lakes approach is very long with a total of over 7,200 feet elevation gain from trailhead to summit. Both approaches are reached via the Icicle Creek road south of Leavenworth. Reach Leavenworth by driving US 2 east from Everett or west from Wenatchee. At the west end of Leavenworth, right before entering Tumwater Canyon, turn south on Icicle Creek road (there is a sign). After 4 miles is the Snow Lakes trailhead parking lot on the left side of the road at 2,200 feet elevation. This huge parking area is the start to the Snow Lakes and Lower Enchantments approach. For the Colchuck Lake approach, continue up the Icicle Creek road and turn left on road no. 7601 (Eightmile Road), eight miles from Leavenworth. Drive 4 miles on this good dirt road to the Mountaineer Creek Trailhead (Colchuck Lake) with an elevation of 3540 feet.
Approaches
Colchuck Lake -
From the Mountaineer Creek trailhead at the end of the Eightmile Road, begin hiking up the trail towards Stuart and Colchuck Lakes. Cross Mountaineer Creek on a good foot bridge and reach the signed junction after a couple miles. Turn left and follow the trail to Colchuck Lake. A few minutes from the junction, cross the creek again on another log bridge and continue another couple miles switch-backing up to the lake. Upon reaching the north side of Colchuck Lake, you will see the awe inspiring north face of Dragontail Peak directly across the lake. This view is a classic Cascades scene. It is 4.5 miles one way to the lake with 2,000 feet of elevation gain. Now the fun begins. Follow the well used boot path around the west side of Colchuck Lake and then continue through the bushes around its south shore. Emerge onto the large talus field and begin ascending towards Aasgard Pass. The trail initially follows the small creek which bisects the huge talus slope on the lower half of the ascent. A few hundred feet above the lake the trail veers off to the climbers left of the creek. At 6,400 feet, make sure you stay left of the small cliff band with the waterfall and stay near the base of the huge cliffs coming down from the Enchantment Peaks. People have died here by straying too far to the right. Follow the trail as it stays well left of the waterfall and reach Aasgard Pass at 7,800 feet. This ascent from Colchuck Lake gains 2,200 feet in 3/4 of a mile! Right before reaching the pass, begin hiking southwest passing a small pond (Mist Pond) and aiming for the huge snowfield on the east face of Dragontail Peak.
 Hiking up Aasgard Pass in late fall |
 Dragontail with larches on the trail to Aasgard Pass |
 NF of Dragontail from Colchuck Lake. Aasgard pass route heads up and to the left. |
Snow Lakes -
This approach is both longer and has more elevation gain. From the Snow Lakes trailhead, hike the long Snow Lakes trail passing the Snow Creek Wall, on the left, continuing around the north side of Nada Lake and reaching lower Snow Lake after about 6 miles at 5,430 feet. Cross the Snow Lake dam which could be difficult in early season and continue up the well maintained trail but steep trail and reach Lake Viviane at 6,800 feet. This section of the trail has some exposed sections so use caution if wet. From Lake Viviane (which has great camping), wander your way west passing along the north shore of Leprechaun Lake and the east shore of Inspiration Lake. Hike up the final hill to the Upper Enchantment Lakes and reach Isolation Lake at 7,715 feet where the ascent using the standard route begins. The Aasgard Pass/Colchuck Lake Approach will meet this approach about a hundred feet above Isolation Lake to the west.
 Nada Lake |
 View of Inspiration Lake |
 Camping at the base of the std route |
Standard East Ridge - Class 2+
This is the standard route up Dragontail peak and involves moderate angled snow climbing and easy Class 2+ scrambling. Although this route is one of the easier routes for any high Bulger, it isn't a cakewalk and good fitness is required to make it happen. See above for approach descriptions. From the base of the east facing snowfield, begin climbing the 35 degree snow slope aiming towards the obvious saddle between the summit ridge to the right and the jagged ridge coming off Witches Tower to the left. This notch is at 8,500 feet making the snow climb roughly 700 feet. Once at the notch, continue across a short ways and turn right. You will emerge onto a talus slope on the south side of the peak. Work your way up this talus slope following faint trails when possible. 350 feet above the notch, locate the highest point on the jagged summit ridge (difficult in whiteout conditions) and hike to its base. 10-20 feet of Class 2+ scrambling gets you to the top.
 Beginning the snow climb |
 Fresh snow at the base of the summit block |
 Dragontail seen near the notch |
Dragontail Peak from Aasgard Pass with the standard route heading up the large snowfield to the notch at center-right
Other Route Options
| Name | Photo | Rating(YDS) | Brief Description |
| West Route |
 |
Class 3 | This route is done using the Colchuck Lake approach. From the north side of the lake, follow the trail around its western shore and locate the Colchuck Glacier heading steeply up to the right upon reaching the south end of the lake. Climb either steep talus or snow depending on the time of year up the left side of the glacier to avoid any crevasses closer to the northeast face of Colchuck Peak. Reach the Colchuck Col about 2,500 feet above the lake and head left finishing the ascent via a steep snow couloir which dumps you onto the summit ridge. Traverse just below the summit ridge to its south side until you arrive at the highest point and scramble to the top. |
| Serpentine Arete |
 |
Class 5.8 | "This route follows a prominent ridge for about 2000 feet on the NW face of Dragontail Peak to just below the summit block. The exact pitch count is not essential as the upper 2/3rds of the route are low 5th class (with some mid-5th steps) and belays can be had at any time. The rating of "grade IV" is from Nelson and Potterfield guidebook and is probably on the conservative side; class 5.8 rating comes from a single pitch!" - rpc |
| Backbone Ridge |
 |
Class 5.9 | This is another classic line that climbs the 2000+ foot northwest face of Dragontail via the ridge (or “rib”) immediately left of the Serpentine Arete. |
| Triple Couloirs |
 |
Class 5.7/WI3 | "A series of three couloirs, separated by short, steep rock bands, cuts up the middle of the north face of Dragontail, offering 2500 feet of great snow, ice, and/or mixed climbing. This route is somewhat popular and generally gets climbed by one variation or another several times each spring. The specific line taken, time required, and type of climbing encountered are entirely conditions dependent however, so that very few climbs of triple couloirs are the same. Triple Couloirs could and likely has been climbed in every condition imaginable, and has even been skied, and it is up to the climber to decide what sort of ice and snow coverage is acceptable for their attempt on any of the established variations." - Z-Man |
| Northeast Buttress |
 |
Class 5.8 | "This route is over 2000 feet tall and is an adventurous climb up steep rock of variable quality. The buttress rises steeply from between the start of the Triple Couloirs and the Northeast Couloir and flattens out as it meets the summit ridge at a prominent notch near 8500 feet. The route follows chimneys and corners for 150 meters to a notch in the crest of the NE Buttress proper. Expect steep, loose, and dirty, but reasonably well-protected climbing. From the notch the crest can be followed over excellent mid-fifth class cracks for about 200 meters to a distinct exposed arete. Past the arete a ledge system is gained trending Southwest, paralleling the buttress 100 meters or so below the crest. Remaining climb is easier to the summit" - Z-man |
| Southeast Ridge |
 |
Class 2+ | "This is probably the easiest route up Dragontail, although indirect. This route bypasses the east face snowfield if it's late season and very icy. Scramble up the far-west flanks of Little Annapurna to the obvious snow col separating it from Dragontail. Cross over the broad snow-saddle and make for the southern skyline, scrambling up a short class 2/3 section to the ridgetop. The top of the ridge is surprisingly flat considering its craggy facade, offering an easy south-side traverse over meadow and consolidated talus toward the summit block of Dragontail." - Supermarmot |
Map
DARK BLUE: Colchuck Lake/Aasgard Pass Approach
GREEN: Snow Lakes Approach
YELLOW: East Slopes Standard Route - Class 3
RED: West Route - Class 3
PURPLE: Southeast Ridge - Class 3
LIGHT BLUE: Northeast Buttress - Class 5.8
Camping/Red Tape
Camping is permitted in the Snow Lakes, Enchantment Lakes, and Colchuck Lake area only if you possess the required overnight permit. See Red Tape. A number of fee forest camps can be found along the Icicle Creek road near the trailheads. If you are looking for a way around the permit system, you can camp in the Crystal Creek drainage south of the Enchantment Lakes basin by either dropping down from Perfection Lake or by approaching via Crystal Creek from the Ingalls Creek trail. For information regarding the permit system or to apply for a permit visit the Recreation.gov site linked below.
Seasonal Considerations
For current mountain conditions contact the Wenatchee National Forest, Leavenworth Ranger District - 600 Sherbourne Leavenworth, WA 98826 (509)-548-6977
Dragontail Peak can be climbed at any time of year but nearly everyone attempts it when the Eightmile Road is open typically from late-April through November. Spring climbing can make for awesome skiing conditions and almost always brings lots and lots of snow. Since Dragontail lies east of the crest, it tends to be warmer and have better weather in spring making it a popular peak to climb in May and June when the permit system is not yet in effect.
Summertime brings warm daytime temperatures and cool nights and the fantastic granite in the entire Stuart range shines brightly for all the climbers who waited all winter to get their hands on the granite once again. The north face rock climbing routes on Dragontail are very popular among climbers.
In the fall, the area becomes world famous for the larch trees that turn golden yellow beginning in early October. After a light snowfall, the air becomes clear and crisp and coupled with peak larch color, the scenery is probably the best in the country for a couple weeks in October. Permit season ends on October 15th and you will always find many people camping in the Enchantments Basin the weekend after October 15th hoping to catch the larches on their waning stages.
External Links
Dragontail Peak on MountainProject
More photos of the Enchantment Lakes