The snow-free basin, photo as seen from the foot bridge – photo by dk

Northwest School of Mystical Hikers Trip Report
Lake 22 (Mountain Loop Highway, WA)
March 29, 2015
6 miles (including lake loop), 1350 ft elevation gain
Hikers: Harpo, dk, 3D

3D and Harpo at the Trail Head – photo by dk

Harpo Sez:

It’s been so beautiful in the NW with very little chill and even littler precipitation this winter. Thus we decided to take an early trip up to the Mountain Loop Highway and check out this old favorite – Lake 22.

This trail is delightful. Beautiful and well maintained. Little streams are running steady throughout the trip, and there are several little creeks crossing the trail at time, providing gentle obstacles to jump over or hop through. The path is nicely graded and even though it was a Sunday and the parking lot is full, the trail rarely seemed congested.

After about 2.7 miles of mild climbing we came to the lake and there was zero snow. Expected, but sadly, still a little shocking.

We easily traversed the boardwalk all the way around the lake, stopping for a coffee break next to the boulder garden where there is typically snow and mud.

The way back was super breezy and fun loving with these beautiful people…

3D and dk sitting where there is usually snow this time of year – at Lake 22 – March 29, 2015

dk tests out the chrome dome – photo by 3D

View from our coffee break spot – photo by dk

hand mudras – photo by 3D

stylin’ rain gear – photo by 3D

lots of water – photo by dk

Panorama of Lake 22 – photo by dk

FOR COMPARISON’S SAKE… here are a few photos from my archive. This is what Lake 22 looks like in winter. Often some of this snow stays until even May or June… but not this year.