Lake 22 - Perfect Reflection

Lake 22, located on Mt. Pilchuck east of Everett, is a truly fantastic day hike. The trail head has a small parking lot. We reached around 12 and the parking was full. The cars were parked even on the main road. We waited for some time and got a parking. The trail head also has rest rooms just in case you wanna start fresh (as there are no restroom, water source on the trail). This hike is around 5 .5 miles round trip. As the WTA site says it good for kids, so i brought my 3.5 year son too. 

The trail starts flat and seems good. The trail winds gradually uphill most of the way. There's a nice variety of landscapes too in the shady pine forests. The trail most of the time follows the course of a river (you will come across many beautiful waterfalls, and even a beaver dam when we were there). After a mile or so you will come across the rocky part of the trip which spans for around quarter mile (my son had a hard time crossing it). 

Once you cross the rocky part, you will cross a little wooden bridge and everything opens up to the lake. It's BEAUTIFUL and the water is surprisingly warm. An ultimate Gods creation - crystal clear Lake 22 surrounded by mountains. The water is so clear and still, you will have the perfect reflection. Nice photographic place with the backdrop of mountains having multiple waterfalls (6). Though there was lot of snow on the board walk, but you can still walk and reach out to the far end points of the boardwalk towards the foothill. 

It took us about 3 hours to hike up to the lake and about half the time to get back down. We took our time and stopped a lot for pictures. So, I would think it may take about an hour less for faster hikers to get to the top. 

Definitely a place I would love to go back to again.

Notes: 

- Bugs are there so Bugspray is recommended

- No water source in the trail so carry water.

- Will not recommend for small kids, they can be at backpack.

- Carry a Forest Pass (you can buy the pass from the Verlot Public Service Center or any REI)

- The final 100 yards was all snow even in July so poles will be nice to carry along.

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. 1050ft)