Friday, December 26, 2014

Lake Twentytwo


Lake Twenty-two is along the Mountain Loop Highway near Granite Falls, Washington.  It is in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, but south of Mount Baker and the North Cascades National Park.  It is on the shoulders of Mount Pilchuck and in an area we have not hiked very often.

We had taken the day off again and had looked for a hike that was low enough to be snow free.  The highest point of the hike, the lake itself, is only 2400 feet with a mere 1350 feet of elevation gain.  We also wanted a hike that was short enough to finish before dark, though we barely made that.

The hike was a grand success.  There are numerous waterfalls along the trail, some old growth forest, and the lake itself is worth the hike, lying at the foot of Mount Pilchuck.  We took so long on the trail that by the time we arrived at the lake it was already getting dark.

This is another hike we want to do again in better weather and with longer days, but the snow and ice certainly made this hike memorable, though I forgot our backpacking stove and we had to content ourselves with granola bars and other cold food before heading back down.

frost and ice along the trail



unusual ice crystals



old growth forest



 the first waterfall







Western Red Cedar


 Red-banded Polypore


the second falls




my hiking companion


 the third falls




ferns


the fourth falls







more old growth forest





 remains of summer flowers


 an open slope



view across the valley




lichens and moss







Red Alders



 frost





the trail








ice




 fading light


 ice crystals





 pink lichens


old Western Red Cedar stump


 cedars


the last falls







leaves


 some sunlight


ice



near the lake


Lake Twentytwo







 last light


 the lake




old logs


 ice



the lake




 Dipper




 mushrooms


frost heave


 the lake




the lake's outlet


 reflections


 mossy trunk


 last views of the lake




on the way down