Lake Augusta (Washington) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Augusta |
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 Lake Augusta
Location in Washington (state)
Lake Augusta
Location in the United States
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| Location | Chelan County, Washington, United States |
| Coordinates | 47°39′13″N 120°50′07″W / 47.6534830°N 120.8354165°W |
| Primary outflows | Cabin Creek |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 15.3 acres (0.062 km2) |
| Surface elevation | 6,857 ft (2,090 m) |
Lake Augusta is a beautiful lake filled with fresh water. You can find it on the southwest side of Big Jim Mountain, which is east of Icicle Ridge, in Chelan County, Washington.
This lake is a popular spot for outdoor fun. Many people enjoy hiking, swimming, and fishing for cutthroat trout here. That's because it's very close to the Icicle Ridge Trail. A smaller lake called Lake Ida is also nearby, on the other side of Icicle Ridge. Lake Augusta is about 15 miles west of the city of Leavenworth.
If you plan to visit the Lake Augusta area, you will need a special permit. It's called a self-issued Alpine Lake Wilderness permit.
A man named Albert Hale Sylvester gave Lake Augusta its name. He was a mapmaker for the United States Geological Survey in the early 1900s. He named many lakes while working in the North Cascades National Park Complex.
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Exploring Lake Augusta's Surroundings
Lake Augusta sits on the southern side of Big Jim Mountain. The ground around the lake is very rocky. It's made of a type of rock that formed deep underground. The main rock here is called granodiorite. This rock comes from a huge underground rock mass known as the Mount Stuart Batholith. This batholith is about 13 by 16 miles wide!
The path to the lake starts with sandy soil. As you get closer, you'll find more large rocks and boulders. The hills around Lake Augusta also have interesting rocks. Some parts have rocks with special ring-like patterns.
Weather Around Lake Augusta
Lake Augusta has a cool climate, often called a hemiboreal climate. This means it has cold winters and mild summers.
The average temperature around the lake is about 9°C (48°F). August is usually the warmest month, with temperatures averaging 20°C (68°F). January is the coldest, with temperatures around -6°C (21°F).
The area gets a good amount of rain and snow. On average, it receives about 828 millimeters (32.6 inches) of rain each year. January is the wettest month, while July is the driest.
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How to Reach Lake Augusta
You can get to Lake Augusta by hiking! The main path starts at the Chatter Creek Trailhead. This is at the end of USFS Road 7609, near Icicle Creek.
The Chatter Creek Trail (#1580) is about 5.5 miles long. It follows Chatter Creek for most of the way. This trail will lead you past Lake Sylvester and Lake Alice. Eventually, it joins the Icicle Ridge Trail (#1580).
Once you are on the Icicle Ridge Trail, look for the turn-off to Lake Augusta. It will be to your right (east). The Icicle Ridge Trail then continues to Lake Ida and over Big Jim Mountain to Lake Augusta.
You can find places to set up camp along the first few miles of Chatter Creek Trail. There are also several campsites right around the shore of Lake Augusta. Remember, you need an Alpine Lake Wilderness permit for this area. You can get one at the Chatter Creek Trailhead.
Other Ways to Get There
There are other ways to reach the Icicle Ridge Trail. You can use the Fourth of July Trail (#1579). Or, you can start from the Icicle Ridge Trailhead in Leavenworth.
Another trail, Hatchery Creek Trail (#1577), also connects to Icicle Ridge Trail. This trail comes from the north. The Hatchery Creek Trailhead is about 6 miles from the Icicle Ridge Junction. It's located west of Tumwater Campground, near where Highway 2 crosses the Wenatchee River. Be aware that parts of the Hatchery Creek Trail might be overgrown with fireweed. You might also see charred logs from a fire that happened in 1994.
