Three rescues in a week highlight growing risks in Enchantments

LEAVENWORTH — Chelan County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) responded to three incidents in the Colchuck Lake and Enchantments area just in the past week, said Sheriff Mike Morrison.

At around 7:45 p.m. on June 7, RiverCom dispatch contacted CCSO about an injured hiker on the Colchuck Lake Trail, approximately 3 miles from the trailhead. The hiker was identified as a 28-year-old female from Whistler, B.C. The hiker had injured her ankle, and was not able to put enough pressure on it to walk out. Twelve volunteer rescuers from Chelan County Volunteer Search and Rescue and Chelan County Mountain Rescue responded to the call, reaching the patient around 1 a.m. The first responders transported the patient via a wheeled litter, reaching the trailhead around 5 a.m. 

Two days later, CCSO responded to a call from a group of six hikers from Portland, Ore., who had just graduated high school. Sheriff Morrison said the group reached out around 10 p.m. on June 9, reporting that their friend had become disoriented after nearly completing the through hike of the Enchantments in one day. The group said their friend suddenly ran back up the trail for an unknown reason, but they believed it was medical. They had searched the area and were unable to locate him.

Two deputies were dispatched to the Snow Lakes trailhead for assistance. Prior to arriving, the group called back and said they had located him, but were requesting an ambulance. Both the deputies and Cascade Medical responded to the patient, who was located a short distance from the trailhead and was medically cleared. Officials believed exhaustion was a factor in the incident.

CCSO received report of another ankle injury at Colchuck Lake at around 12:30 p.m. on June 14. Sheriff Morrison said a CCSO Search and Rescue coordinator requested the hiker stay at the lake to be picked up by a helicopter. The CCSO Air Support Unit responded to the landing zone on the north end of Colchuck Lake. The 30-year-old female was transported to the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery, then transferred to Cascade Medical.

While each of these incidents resulted in the use of field resources, they were not the only calls for help. In the past week, Sheriff Morrison said his office received two additional calls reporting overdue climbers and hikers in the same area, though the groups eventually made it out without needing resources. Another call was received from a group of four hikers who were approximately 3.5 miles up the trail to Colchuck Lake. According to Sheriff Morrison, the hikers were cold and wet, and unsure if they could continue on their own. The hikers were encouraged to try, and made it to the trailhead at around 1 a.m.

“These incidents underscore the importance of being prepared when recreating in the

Enchantments Recreation Area of Chelan County,” said Sheriff Morrison.

Sheriff Morrison said that in 2025, his office deployed resources to 31 calls from people in distress in the Enchantments and Colchuck Lake area, with a majority of emergency calls coming from visitors outside of Chelan County. One of those calls involved a death in the backcountry, he added.

CCSO encourages people recreating in the outdoors to carry sufficient supplies, plan for changing weather conditions and allow adequate time to complete their outings safely and in the daylight. Researching trails before making trip plans is also suggested.

“If your fitness and preparedness levels do not meet the trail conditions, seek an alternate trail to recreate on,” said Sheriff Morrison.