more stats

1.1 miles

Distance

2,236 ft

Climb

02:09:04

Avg time

2,238 ft

Altitude change

5,588 ft

Altitude min

7,825 ft

Altitude max

5,588 ft

Altitude start

7,825 ft

Altitude end

38.2%

Grade

2.6%

Grade max

94.9%

Grade min

1 mile

Distance climb

26 ft

Distance flat

02:09:04

Avg time

Aasgard Pass Details

Activities
- Hike
- Trail Running
Riding Area

Alpine Lakes Wilderness
Leavenworth, Washington
AKA

Colchuck Pass
Difficulty Rating

Black Diamond Rate
Local Popularity
100 in Hiking [+]
- 100 in Trail Running
Global Ranking
#11857 in Hiking [+]
- #7273 in Trail Running
Hiking SAC Scale

T5 Demanding Alpine Hiking
Trail Type

Wilderness Trail
Direction

Both Directions
Popular Direction Shown
Physical Rating

Hard
Alpine Trail

Yes
eBike Allowed

No
Land Owner

USFS

This “shortcut” to the Enchantments Core Zone refers only to mileage. As far as miles per hour goes, Aasgard may be one of the slowest hikes you attempt. Achieving the pass is a thigh-burning, chest-bursting, eye-popping endeavor that offers as many extraordinary views as beads of sweat that will fall from your brow as you ascend nearly 2000 feet in just three-quarters of a mile.

From Colchuck Lake, a trail has been tramped out by the hundreds of feet that head up and over Aasgard Pass each year. While it’s relatively evident to those familiar with route-finding, this is not the trail for folks new to hiking, no matter your level of fitness. Seasonal hazards exist, including streams that melt the snow out from the bottom up, and you’ll need route-finding experience, agility, and excellent balance. Those lucky enough to score a permit for the Core Zone should consider these factors when you’re thinking about heading in over Aasgard Pass for an overnight. While it may be considerably shorter mileage-wise, the trail up Aasgard can be treacherous if your center of balance is compromised by a pack loaded with overnight gear.

Rock-hopping around the head of Colchuck Lake gives way to a trail with a staircase-like grade. Further on, sections of scrambling are required to ultimately access the coveted Core Zone. The pass viewed from the lake is not the real top of the pass but instead a false summit, with even more elevation gain to be had before gaining the pass.

But once you’re atop the pass, the striped rocks, gleaming snow, jagged peaks, and icy lakes that lie before you make it seem like you’re in another world--even on another planet. The basin is so huge that other hikers seem like little ants below you at Isolation Lake, and sound is quickly absorbed into the air around you, giving the impression of solitude despite the fact that you’re probably sharing the basin with at least a few other people. At 7800 feet, it seems like you’re on top of the world, though Dragontail Peak rises above to the west and a large ridgeline looms overhead to the east.

There is no single trail up Aasgard Pass and it requires experience routefinding.

Access Info

Accessed from continuing on the Colchuck Lake Trail all the way around the lake until it begins climbing through bolder fields up to Aasgard Pass.

Disclaimer

When ascending, stay to the left side of the trees around halfway up. Multiple people have died on the right side of the trees due to dangerous snow conditions and it is very easy to get cliffed out here.

Traditionally Indigenous Territory

Recent Activity on Trail

Past Week

3 rides
15 miles average

6 Months

9 rides
13 miles avg distance

All

104 rides

c1	c2	c3	c4
January	February	March	April
May	June	July	August
September	October	November	December

update trails status or condition

Aasgard Pass Trail Reports

status	date	description
	Aug 7, 2023 @ 10:37pm Aug 7, 2023	Pretty easy to follow at this point - stay between the creek and the slide alder
	Jul 24, 2021 @ 6:17am Jul 24, 2021
	Oct 17, 2020 @ 7:30am Oct 17, 2020
	Sep 10, 2020 @ 12:58pm Sep 10, 2020
	Aug 29, 2020 @ 4:46am Aug 29, 2020

Aasgard Pass

Aasgard Pass Details

Access Info

Disclaimer

Traditionally Indigenous Territory

Recent Activity on Trail

Aasgard Pass Trail Reports

Photos

Videos

Technical Trail Features (TTF)

Routes with this trail

Reviews / Comments

Nearby Trails

Alpine Lakes Wilderness

Frequently Asked Questions About Aasgard Pass

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