Mount Pilchuck, Lake 22 — Wednesday, Jul. 2, 2025

I got into a hiking conversation at a party last week. It became evident that I was the only person in Washington State who had not hiked Lake 22. My plan for today was to bundle Mt Pilchuck with Lake 22 because the trailheads are only 8 miles apart.

The road to Mt Pilchuck trailhead is in good condition for any kind of car. The middle portion has been freshly graveled. All the stones seem to be spherical so your car might slide more easily than usual. Three cars in the parking lot at 6:15; around 40 at 10:15. Midweek means fewer people.

The Pilchuck trail is excellent – that apparently impossible peak is reached without too much effort. The log steps in the first mile have done a great job of protecting this high-use trail. There is a tiny amount of snow on the trail near the top but no need for any traction devices. After the scramble to the fire lookout, you get that 360-degree view of what looks like the entire universe, until the clouds roll in again. Thanks to whoever left the binoculars there. There’s a lot to see.

The Lake 22 lot was overflowing at 10:45. The trail has some serious erosion and there are piles of materials at various locations in preparation for the work due to start mid-July. The environment is so impressive because the whole area is protected by the Lake 22 Natural Research Area.  I’ve never seen such enormous Western Red Cedars. There’s some good information about the area at this link: Microsoft Word - FRNA_LakeTwentyTwo_LA_1_8, including an impressive mammal species list (albeit from 1972).

For such an accessible place, the lake is gorgeous. The snowfields have receded. Snow tunnels are still present but too high up the scree to be accessible. That big rock at the cliff end of the lake is ideal for jumping off. Water temperature is cold, but swimming is still good. Wild flowers are everywhere but few berries as yet.