Having hiked most of the close and moderate elevation gain hikes this side of the passes on the HWY 2 and I-90 corridors, I decided to venture out into new territory and headed for a promising looking trail on the Mountain Loop Highway. Let me tell you that this trail did not disappoint. It may be listed as having over 1000 feet in elevation gain, but the trail is so well maintained and gradual in its accent that I barely even noticed it. I got to the parking area around 10 AM and was met with only three other cars in the parking lot. Once I got beyond the point where the trail paralleled the road (there were work crews doing pothole repairs), the trail was quiet except for the sound of water in Twenty-two Creek.
Unfortunately the views of the cascades and falls of Twenty-two Creek are not easily accessible or most times even visible from the trail. There are signs of off-trail routes to many of the falls, but its up to the individual and their hiking morales as to whether to take them or not. However, the views looking north off the trail from the slide area are plentiful.
Once at the top I met two of the other three groups ahead of me (the third also being a solo hiker who was on his way down as I was coming up), and a group from behind me caught up shortly after. Even with only four groups around the lake, the trail going around did feel a bit crowded at times with people starting and stopping for pictures and food breaks. I don't want to imagine what its like on a weekend.
There wasn't much for water coming off the back of Mt. Pilchuck, but there were three distinct falls trickling down. There were also two deposits of snow still at the base from last season which may very well be there until it starts to fall again.
I sat on a boulder at the south end of the lake under the north face of Pilchuck and had a quick snack. I then continued around the lake among pika calls and snapping more photos before taking one last look and heading down.
On the way down I passed four or five groups on the way up. I also had the joy of picking up after one of them as there was a plastic drink bottle sitting in the middle of the trail 2/3 of the way down that I know wasn't there on the way up. If you're not able to put the empty bottle in someone's pack, don't bring it. Its really sad how many people seem determined to ruin it for the rest of us.
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