NGC 3686 is among a fine quartet of spiral galaxies in the tail of Leo. NGCs 3681, 3684, 3686 and 3691 range from magnitude 11.2 to 11.8 in brightness. All present an oval shape with NGC 3686 covering a 3'x2' area. Three of the four are arranged along a northeast-to-southwest line with NGC 3691 standing off by itself to the east. You'll find this quartet 3.5 degrees northeast of 3.3 magnitude Chort.