Lake Edna facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Edna |
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Lake Edna, Big Jim Mountain in the background
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 Lake Edna
Location in Washington (state)
Lake Edna
Location in the United States
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| Location | Chelan County, Washington, United States |
| Coordinates | 47°39′25″N 120°54′44″W / 47.65694°N 120.91222°W |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface elevation | 6,755 ft (2,059 m) |
Lake Edna is a beautiful freshwater lake found in Chelan County, Washington. It sits high up on Icicle Ridge, about 10 miles west of the town of Leavenworth. This lake is a popular spot for outdoor fun. People love to visit for hiking, swimming, and fishing. Another lake, Lake Alice, is also nearby. It is located in a prominent cirque on the other side of Icicle Ridge.
Lake Edna is in an area shaped by glaciers. The land around it is mostly open and rocky. You can find heather and other pretty wildflowers here. There are also larch pine trees growing around the lake. If you plan to visit, you will need a special permit. This permit helps protect the Alpine Lakes Wilderness area.
A man named Albert Hale Sylvester gave Lake Edna its name. He was a mapmaker for the United States Geological Survey. He worked in the North Cascades region in the early 1900s. He named many lakes in this area.
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What is the Climate Like Around Lake Edna?
Lake Edna is in a cool, northern forest climate. This type of climate is called a hemiboreal climate. It is also part of the marine west coast climate zone. This zone covers parts of western North America. The weather here is often called "Mediterranean" because it has dry summers.
The average temperature around Lake Edna is about 2° Celsius (36° Fahrenheit). August is the warmest month, with temperatures around 16° C (61° F). January is the coldest, with temperatures around −5° C (23° F). The area gets a lot of rain, about 1687 millimeters (66 inches) each year. December is the wettest month, with 233 millimeters (9 inches) of rain. July is the driest, with only 28 millimeters (1 inch) of rain.
How Can You Get to Lake Edna?
Most people reach Lake Edna by hiking. The main path starts at the Chatter Creek Trailhead. This trailhead is at the end of USFS Road 7609. It is on the north side of Icicle Creek.
Hiking the Chatter Creek Trail
The Chatter Creek Trail (#1580) is about 5.5 miles long. It follows Chatter Creek for most of the way. This trail passes by Lake Sylvester and Lake Alice. Eventually, it connects with the Icicle Ridge Trail (#1580). Lake Edna is just off the Icicle Ridge Trail. You will find it to the right (east) of where the Chatter Creek Trail joins. From there, the Icicle Ridge Trail continues towards Lake Ida and Lake Augusta.
Where to Camp Near Lake Edna
You can find places to set up camp along the first few miles of the Chatter Creek Trail. As you go further, the trail becomes more forested. There are also several campsites around the shore of Lake Augusta. Lake Augusta is located past Lake Edna. Remember, you need a special permit to camp or hike in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness area. You can get these permits at the Chatter Creek Trailhead.
Other Ways to Reach Icicle Ridge Trail
There are other trails that connect to the Icicle Ridge Trail.
- The Fourth of July Trail (#1579) is another option.
- You can also start from the Icicle Ridge Trailhead in Leavenworth.
- The Hatchery Creek Trail (#1577) also meets the Icicle Ridge Trail. This trail comes from the north.
The Hatchery Creek Trailhead is about 6 miles from the Icicle Ridge junction. It is located west of Tumwater Campground. This is where Highway 2 crosses the Wenatchee River. Parts of the Hatchery Creek Trail are overgrown. You might see fireweed and charred logs from the Hatchery Fire of 1994.
Images for kids
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Lake Edna, Big Jim Mountain in the background
