Colchuck Balanced Rock Col (East Lake Side Approch)

A very scenic and direct line with meadowy views of Dragontail and Colchuck Mountain in open forest. There is no laurel thrashing or scree involved and no lost ground since every foot fall takes you closer to your destination. Once familiar it shaves an hour off of the old approach.

From where the trail meets Colchuck Lake take the left fork staying high on the ridge and avoiding the many spurs that lead down to the waters edge.

Find your way to the small dam on the North end of the lake. Cross the creek here on, or just below the dam. Pick up the trail on the other side and follow it South for about 100yrds or less until you come to a slight clearing and some boulders and talus on your left. There are some good flat rocks here. Head up the talus and slightly left ward into the woods above.

Find a weakness through the a short step of rock(3rd/4th class) or pull up tree branches and roots with rock on your left side. From here angle always up and South following a well cairned(2008 through 2010)path through open forest and hill side for about an hour until reaching the Col just above the huge boulder camp in the flats below. There are some excellent lower impact camping spots here on rock and gravel just as you drop into the Col.

Route finding skilz