KC N.

One of the prettiest hikes I have ever been on! Hike level was moderate, 2 hours up and 1 hour down, Definitely worth every minute!

Kimmy L.

My friends and I arrived at the trailhead at 8:30am on a Sunday morning a few weeks ago and the parking lot was completely full. Thankfully the picnic parking lot just across the street had a lot of spots left. When we returned at around 12pm though there were no spots left and people were parking illegally on the sides making it extremely difficult for cars to get in and out of the parking lot. For a trail rates moderately difficult on the WTA website, I honestly thought it would be a lot rougher. For anyone who has done Mailbox or even Mt.Si, this was a walk in the park. The trail was very rocky at some parts, but there weren't very many (if any) super steep inclines. I was surprised at the number of shallow staircases and how manicured the trail was. With that said, the trail was fairly muddy throughout and so I'm glad I brought my waterproof hiking boots. We were thankful to have not encountered any mosquitos. However, there were lots of gnats at the top around the lake- harmless of course, but they were still an annoyance none the less. Note that it was very chilly at the lake so bring layers!

Emily C.

Lake 22 is a lovely hike that takes on multiple terrains. It's considered a "loop" but it's really just one path to the lake, a loop around the lake, and then the same path back. The sign says it's 2.7 miles one way but it's probably a bit more. Budget around 4 hours if you plan to take pictures, and you'll definitely want to! I read that the trail tends to get busier during the afternoon so my friends and I got here early in the morning ~9AM on a weekday and there weren't many cars in the parking lot yet. However, by the time we ended the hike, the lot was pretty full. Make sure to also buy the parking pass ahead of time. It's only $5 per vehicle and you just have to print it out and place it on the dashboard of the car. I'm not sure if anyone actually checks it but better to be safe than sorry. This hike is rated moderately difficult but I don't think it was too difficult. It was just the different terrains that you go through that can make it seem difficult. There's the regular woodsy parts on the dirt roads but also an area full of rocks (that gets annoying) and man-made steps/staircases as well. Some parts of the trail also get muddy with some streams of water so waterproof hiking boots are definitely recommended. Most of us wore regular athletic shoes and managed to get out in one piece just fine. There's a good level of elevation but it's gradual. We came during late September and the morning was really cold but as we continued on the hike, it got hot really quick so I'd recommend wearing layers. The path around the lake also has some areas that are shaded by the mountains which makes it chilly. Overall, it's a beautiful hike and well worth it. It's about 1.5 hours from Seattle and there's limited internet access there but it's a great getaway into the nature!

Brian C.

My friend and I did this hike in late October, on a mostly overcast day. We arrived at the trailhead around 8:30am, and there were only a few spots left for parking so I recommend getting here early. For someone like me who is not a hiker at all, it can be a little difficult. The trail itself is very muddy in some spots and rocky in others, so I'd also recommend wearing waterproof hiking boots. Most of the trail is well-shaded. Ok now the important part. The lake at the top is gorgeous. Exquisite. Spectacular. Pick any positive adjective you want. I'm so glad I did this hike and hauled my camera up. My friend and I walked around and ate some snacks before heading back down. Total time was about 4.5 hours, including a small snack break and stopping to take A LOT of pics. Follow my Instagram and TikTok @thephotographerfoodie for more! :)

Jennifer S.

We went in the end of May timeframe. I don't hike much so for me, this was a little tougher than expected, especially through the rock quarry. Btw, wear hiking shoes with good soles! I had my sneakers on and climbing on the rocks hurt my feet (I wasn't anticipating the rocks). These photos don't quite do the lake justice but let me just say that it was very much worth seeing and is definitely one you'll want to visit!

Van P.

Lake 22 lives up to the hype! I went a few weeks ago and it is absolutely breath taking to admire the snow and lake which was completely frozen over. It is a moderate hike at ~1400 elevation and takes a couple hours, you'll likely find yourself sitting at the lake to check out the mountains. Be sure to wear good hiking shoes and come prepared with micro spikes when needed, otherwise you can slip and hurt yourself. Hiking poles definitely help make the hike smoother but aren't necessary. The trail is a mixture of rocks, soil, and small water streams. Be sure to get there early to avoid crowds and to ensure you get easy parking. We got there around 730AM and there were barely any cars but on our way down, there were a lot of people hiking up and the lot was full. If you're looking for a hike with nice views, check out Lake 22!

John B.

Just a wonderful hike. Medium level difficulty. Shaded, rocky, uphill. Can be slippery. Gorgeous mossy forest. I love it here!

Bruce A.

I recommend a saunter over the hike approach to this trail ! Incredible Forest w/Mushrooms, Waterfalls & Incredible Views everywhere. Best Woods Hike I've Ever Done, fascinating really. Leave it better than you found it, some younger kids leaving Red Bull cans we cleaned up on the way in & out. Don't bring plastic bottles out there, get a Yeti or something reusable, get real. There are trash cans / outhouses at the entrance.

Daniel K.

An All-Season Gem! No matter if it's snowy winter or sunny summer, this hike is a winner. The lake's always a bit cool, but it's a welcome refresher post-hike. Whether you're a snow lover or a summer seeker, this hike's got something special for everyone.

Julie S.

Great, easy day hike that's super dog friendly! I would suggest packing a lunch and eating it at the top while you enjoy the view of the lake. It gets pretty chilly at the top, so plan your outfit accordingly.

Andrea W.

Came the Saturday over July 4th weekend in the morning, arriving around 7:30AM. Parking lot was full so parked down the street, wasn't too far a walk back to the trailhead from there. Bathrooms and a map at the beginning of the trail, trail was clear the whole way up. Mostly shaded, some spots with views, goes uphill, a bit wet. Not too many people on the way up but lots of people when going down. Got up in less than two hours, there's a bathroom at the top. The walk around the lake was really nice, not too many bugs, many places to take a dip into the water. Good place to hang out, lake was big and beautiful! Lots of spots to sit and chill, water was pretty cold. Sun came out for a bit which was nice, really great views.

Dana H.

VIEWS: I did this as a morning hike, but stayed for several hours. When I got to the top around 11 am, it was very cloudy, with a heavy fog over the lake that gave it a mystical feel. By early afternoon, the fog cleared, and the lake looked very turquoise, bright, and completely different from before. Both were gorgeous, though I personally preferred the latter. DIFFICULTY: The hike itself was moderate-easy in terms of distance and elevation gain, and took about 2 hours to get up. However, there were parts of the trail that required climbing over rocks or crossing a small stream. It wasn't difficult to do this and I thought it was a fun to make the hike more engaging and interactive. I'm also glad I went earlier when the air was cooler. LOGISTICS: I arrived around 9 am on a weekday, and the parking lot was mostly full but there were still several empty spots. There weren't a ton of people on the way up, but we passed by a good number of groups on the way down in the afternoon. Everyone was pretty respectful about wearing masks.

Jen W.

I have hiked a lot before this one but not recently so I was a little out of shape. We got there on a Thursday around 11am and only 3-4 cars in the lot. I've read reviews that it gets pretty full early. The trail starts off pretty easy. Walking through beautiful creeks and over and around fallen tree stumps. This time there was a temporary trail where a huge tree had fallen so this part was difficult for me due to the hill being muddy and slippery and straight up. Once you conquer that it's basically all rocky and watching your step. About halfway we started to see snow which was awesome. The hike took about 2 1/2 hours to get to the lake which was SO WORTH IT!!! It was covered in snow and the lake was partially frozen which was so beautiful! We stayed about 15 mins due to it getting dark fast. We got back to the lot around 5 and it was so dark already! Over all one of my favorite and most difficult hikes for me personally. I would love to hike it again in the summer or spring time!