Published July 24, 2026

Ah, the PNW - I can never get enough of you, no matter what time of year it is. This time, we went to the lovely little town of Leavenworth, Washington, aka USA's Christmastown. Though this wasn't during the right season, there are still amazing views and hiking trails to be found around there. Not to mention, having the small town vibes where the pace is much slower than any metro area. A great way to vacation.

Let's share some small tidbits about this beautiful town.

• 1.23 square miles
• located in the Cascade Mountains
• known for its Bavarian village theme

Most of the activities in town are either wine tasting, souvenir shopping, or trying local cuisine, it's a place with a view. We went during peak summertime, so although it was warmer than what we'd like, the mornings and evenings turn out to be perfect. After the sun sets, the cool air from the mountains start come into town, and it's nothing better than get some fresh, crisp air.

Now, onto Colchuck Lake, the real reason why we went! Who wouldn't enjoy the view of the lake into cascading mountains? Th five-hour hike (in and out) is definitely more on the strenuous side, so plan accordingly! Round trip, the miles were about 9.5 miles with an elevation gain to about 5000 feet. Here are some items that are a must:

• Bug Spray - being in the mountains and near standing water, mosquitoes can get abundant. Hiking earlier in the morning avoids a lot of this since the temperature is cooler.
• Water - I had two 1-liter bottles along with an electrolyte powder to keep myself hydrated through this trek
• Snacks - since this was a long hike, I focused on smaller snacks, like beef jerky and trail mix, but my reward was a PB&J sandwich at the viewpoint

The hike starts off with a small and gradual incline, where the ascent is not as noticeable. The second half, about 2 miles in, starts to get to the steep inclines and please have good hiking shoes, as some areas you may slip in. Definitely, pace yourself since the air gets thinner and it will push your limit.