Hike Date: 06-15-2013
Distance (Roundtrip): 5.4 miles
Elevation Gain: 1350 ft
Highest Point: 2400 ft
Lake Twenty Two Hiking Guide
I've had lots of fun exploring the North Cascades over the past couple of months. There are plenty of hikes to do right off the Mountain Loop Highway. Today a couple of friends and I decided to hike up to Lake Twenty Two. The last time I was in the Mount Pilchuck area, my girlfriend and I had done Heather Lake. A friend recommended Lake Twenty Two as an alternative hike with similar views. I figured it wouldn't hurt to check out another alpine lake, so we made the drive up north. The trail-head is clearly marked off the Mountain Loop Highway. When we arrived, there were a couple of cars in the parking lot, but it wasn't full. We started up the trail at about 10am. The sun was out, offering the perfect weather for hiking!
This hike is very popular, so there were plenty of people on the trail. We had to move over and make passes where we could to keep moving steadily. If you're looking for solitude, skip this trail. It starts off mostly flat and climbs only slightly up until the Lake Twenty Two creek bridge. During this part of the season, the creek is roaring! There were groups of people taking photos, so we didn't stop. We figured we could explore it on the way back down.
After crossing the bridge, the next mile or so is a steady climb on a well-kept trail. Steps made of wooden logs make it very easy to walk on this trail. Though it is steep in places, there are spots where the trail levels off. These were nice because it gave us quick breaks in between hills. The forest provided shade from the sun for most of the way, but there is a point where the trail opens up as it switches back along the mountain. The views on this stretch of the trail are spectacular! Right across the valley stands Green Mountain. We took some time to rest and snap photos. The sun was beating down pretty hard, so we didn't stay too long.
The trail led us back into the shade of the forest as we hiked the last half mile to the lake. There was snow in spots, but it was no trouble for us. A friend of mine had tennis shoes and, despite some slips here and there, made it through just fine! After wandering through a small valley, the forest opens up to views of Mount Pilchuck towering high above and Lake Twenty Two sparkling at its base. With the sun shining brightly up above, we could see small waterfalls falling along the steep mountainside down into the basin.
The trail continues around the whole lake, but snow covered most of it. Many hikers were eating lunch and soaking in the bright sun. It was noon when we arrived. We took some photos and ate our snacks on some rocks right alongside the lake. As groups of hikers continued to arrive, it began to get a little crowded. We packed up our gear and headed back down after a good half hour of rest. It only took about an hour and a half to get back to the parking lot. There were twice as many hikers on the trail as before and the parking lot was overflowed!
The views of Lake Twenty Two are comparable to those of Heather Lake. However, the trail is far more popular and very well-kept. It also offers scenic views of the mountain valley. Though it can be a bit crowded, it's definitely worth exploring!
Photos
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