Information about this hike provided in partnership with
Mountaineers Books.
Copyright © Craig Romano/The Mountaineers Books Lake Twentytwo - Lake 22
Featured In:
Day Hiking: North Cascades,
by Craig Romano.
A portion of all book sales from the links above benefits WTA and helps protect and maintain our trails. As delightful a destination as Lake Twentytwo may be, the real treat on this hike is the forest. Nearly 800 acres of pristine forest surrounding the lake and its outlet were set aside in 1947 as a Research Natural Area (RNA) to study the effects on water, wildlife, and timber of an area left in its virgin state compared to a similar area that has been intensively managed. Upon initial observation entering this primeval patch it doesn't take a forester, scientist, or naturalist to tell you that nature does a pretty darn good job of taking care of things when people aren't messing with it! The surroundings are lush. Water appears to seep and bubble from the ground everywhere. Moss carpets boulders and rotting logs. Maidenhair, deer, and lady ferns form showy bouquets beneath the behemoth trees. Although western hemlock and silver fir are the predominant species, it's the western red cedars that will garner most of your attention. Colonnades of the giants, some with trunks measuring almost 12 feet in diameter, hold up the sky. The trail starts by gently traversing a side hill paralleling the road and the South Fork Stilly. In 0.5 mile cross Twentytwo Creek on a little bridge and pause to admire cascades both up- and downstream. The trail then begins to climb, but never too harshly. Volunteers and Forest Service employees have worked hard over the years to crib much of this well-trampled trail, ensuring tread that will stand the impact of thou-sands of boots. At 2 miles enter a talus slope punctuated with vine and big-leaf maples. Exceptionally pretty in the fall, the views of Green Mountain and the South Fork Stilly valley can still be enjoyed anytime. Upon reentering the cool cloak of ancient conifers, the climbing commences and you can glimpse a thundering waterfall through the thick timber. Next, enjoy 0.25 mile of level walking following along Twentytwo Creek as you enter the cirque housing Lake Twentytwo. Break out of the trees and behold the lake set beneath an impressive vertical wall of rock. Waterfalls crash off of the sheer cliffs. In early season, so do avalanches-stay well away. By midsummer it's safe to circumnavigate the lake on a delightful 1.2-mile trail. The lake, which is over 50 feet deep, supports a fair amount of fish. But the only thing you may be intent on catching here is the sun's rays shimmering off of the twinkling waters and a whole lot of gorgeous scenery.
Driving Directions:
From Granite Falls follow the Mountain Loop Highway east for 11 miles to the Verlot Public Service Center. Proceed 2 more miles to the trailhead, on your right (elev. 1050 ft). Privy available. Recent Trip Reports
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Day hike
Issues:
Snow on trail | Avalanche danger
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What a great and tiring hike. There was fresh powder throughout the whole hike. It was snowing the...
What a great and tiring hike. There was fresh powder throughout the whole hike. It was snowing the whole way up and down. We definitely could have used some snowshoes, but we didn't have any. We got up to the lake (in about two hours) and it was completely frozen over. We actually couldn't see very much of the lake do to the amount of snowfall coming down as well as the clouds filling the canyon. We chose to stop at the mouth of the lake, thankfully. We heard two avalanches, one of the two we could feel the earth tremble below our feet. Great hike, but I would recommend snowshoes. The parking lot was pretty deep in powder as well.
Day hike
Issues:
Water on trail | Snow on trail
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Beautiful and quick hike up to the lake. We were the only ones in the parking lot at 9:30 AM....
Beautiful and quick hike up to the lake. We were the only ones in the parking lot at 9:30 AM. There are a few muddy spots on the way up and the snow starts about 1.5-2 miles in, but no need for crampons or snowshoes. The lake is mostly frozen with stunning views. We saw about 6 people on their way up as we descended. The rain set in as we reached the parking lot again; couldn't have had better timing! Perfect choice for a Friday morning.
Day hike
Issues:
Water on trail | Snow on trail
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There were 36 hikers and many unleashed dogs on this popular trail to the lake. Ten of the hikers...
There were 36 hikers and many unleashed dogs on this popular trail to the lake. Ten of the hikers were from South Seattle Community College. They were wearing cotton clothing and athletic shoes, had no equipment, and started late. I hope they were able to avoid a bad experience.
The trail is covered with compact snow and ice starting at 2,400' People have been hiking around the lake, but that was not a good idea today. I heard ice falling from the mountains behind the lake the entire time I was there. The Lake 22 trail features many waterfalls, quite a few of which can't be seen or can be seen only partially from the trail. Look for bootpaths that leave the apexes of switchbacks and explore the beautiful falls. There were great views of the valley north of trail on the rocky open slope about 2/3rds of the way to the Lake. This is a good hike during any season, but it is an even better hike on a weekday.
Lake Twentytwo - Lake 22
— Dec 03, 2011
— JakeC
Day hike
Issues:
Water on trail | Snow on trail
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No snowshoes needed .... The trail up to the lake is for the most part still snow free. Within...
No snowshoes needed .... The trail up to the lake is for the most part still snow free. Within the last half mile there is maybe an inch of hard packed snow. The lake is basically iced over.
Day hike
Issues:
Mudholes | Snow on trail
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This was the annual hike to Lake Twenty Two, at least for me. There is lots of water coming down...
This was the annual hike to Lake Twenty Two, at least for me. There is lots of water coming down Twenty Two Creek. I don't think there was anywhere along the trail that you could not hear it. There are also lots of locations where there is water on the trail or running over it, but nothing that is a barrier to walking through it. There is just a bit of snow at the lake, about two inches on the bridge across the outlet to Twenty Two Creek from the lake, but looking across the lake you can see that there is a build up alredy on the lower part of the north wall.
Overall the trail is in great condition due to some obvious maintenance. Kudos to all that work on our trails! |
The trail to Lake 22. Photo by "Pith Helmut Jack" or friends.
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