Lake Ida (Washington) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Ida |
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 Lake Ida
Location in Washington (state)
Lake Ida
Location in the United States
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| Location | Chelan County, Washington, United States |
| Coordinates | 47°38′08″N 120°51′34″W / 47.6355220°N 120.8594197°W |
| Primary outflows | Ida Creek |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 15 acres (0.061 km2) |
| Surface elevation | 67,665 ft (20,624 m) |
Lake Ida is a beautiful freshwater lake in Chelan County, Washington. It's located about 10 miles west of Leavenworth. The lake is nestled along Icicle Ridge, a popular spot for outdoor adventures.
Many people visit Lake Ida for fun activities. You can go hiking, swimming, and even fishing for cutthroat trout here. The lake is surrounded by a forest of larch trees. Water from Lake Ida flows into Ida Creek, which then joins Icicle Creek. You might even spot a waterfall along Ida Creek! Remember, you need a special permit to visit this area.
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How Lake Ida Got Its Name
Lake Ida was named by a man called Albert Hale Sylvester. He was a topographer, which means he mapped out land. Albert Sylvester worked in the North Cascades in the early 1900s. He named Lake Ida after his wife Alice's sister. He also named other nearby lakes.
Lake Ida's Weather
Lake Ida has a cool, mild climate. This type of weather is called hemiboreal. The average temperature around the lake is about 9°C (48°F).
The warmest month is July, with temperatures around 18°C (64°F). January is the coldest month, averaging about −9°C (16°F). The area gets about 828 millimeters (32 inches) of rain each year. January is the wettest month, while July is the driest.
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Getting to Lake Ida
You can reach Lake Ida by hiking. The main path starts at the Chatter Creek Trailhead. This trailhead is found at the end of USFS Road 7609. It's on the north side of 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 take you past Lake Sylvester and Lake Alice. Eventually, it connects with the Icicle Ridge Trail (#1580).
Once you are on the Icicle Ridge Trail, you will turn right (east) to find Lake Ida. The trail also leads to Lake Augusta, which is just over the east slope of Big Jim Mountain.
Where to Camp
There are campsites along the first few miles of Chatter Creek Trail. More campsites are found around the shore of Lake Augusta. Remember, you need a special permit for camping and hiking in this wilderness area. You can get these permits at the Chatter Creek Trailhead.
Other Ways to Reach the Trail
You can also get to the Icicle Ridge Trail from other paths. The Fourth of July Trail (#1579) is one option. You can also 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. It's about 6 miles from the Icicle Ridge Junction. The Hatchery Creek Trailhead is west of Tumwater Campground. You can find it where Highway 2 crosses the Wenatchee River, south of Chiwaukum, Washington.
Be aware that parts of Hatchery Creek Trail might be overgrown. You might see fireweed and old burned logs. These are left over from the Hatchery Fire in 1994.
