If you want a new experience in hiking or you love hiking cold season, you should check out Lake 22 in the Winter!
Hiking Lake 22 in winter is probably one of the best winter hikes I’ve done so far. For those who are looking for a short day hike near Seattle, Washington, you should check out Lake 22.
Some informations you need before heading to Lake 22 :
- Location: North Cascades – Mountain Loop Highway
- Length: 5.4 miles (8.6km), roundtrip (we did around 7.14miles/11.5km including walking around the lake)
- Elevation Gain: 1350 ft/411 meters
- Highest Point: 2400 ft/731 meters
- Parking Pass/Entry Fee: Northwest Forest Pass
Source: Washington Trails Association
Protected by the Lake 22 Research Natural Area
The hike starts out as flat in a well maintained cedar forest protected since 1947 by the Lake 22 Research Natural Area. You will walk about half a mile under a beautiful canopied forest before reaching a wooden walkway to cross a stream
There are many small creeks that run over the trail so waterproof boots are recommended, like Women’s Nuptse Purna Shorty Boots (out of stock) OR Merrell Moab 2 Mid Hiking Boots
At 0.6 miles, you won’t miss the waterfall, a good spot for a water break and a selfie too 😉
At this point, snow is starting to appear more before reaching the switchbacks at 1.5 miles. After that, the rest of the trail is fully covered in snow, I’m in winter wonderland!
It’s not long before we reach the lake, it’s so white with at least 99% of the lake is frozen. I am totally mesmerized by this view, you can’t tell where exactly the lake starts and ends.
First experience at a frozen lake
I told my husband that I’ve never walked on a frozen lake before, in fact this is my first time seeing it. So there we are, running around, taking pictures on frozen Lake 22, while everybody’s sitting on the lakeside watching us. We were so nervous knowing that we couldn’t see the ‘lake’ underneath the thick snow but it was fun! After we returned to our lunch spot by the lakeside, a group of hikers also took the opportunity to do the same.
I thought it would’ve been so much easier to wear snowshoes on this hike, they make snow travel more efficient (next checklist!). I didn’t wear gaiters in this hike but my TNF boots prevent the snow from getting into my boots (sold out, see similar option here)
Staying warm is also very important in cold-weather hiking. I’m loving my TNF down jacket and also my UNIQLO heattech undershirt
Thanks for stopping by my page and I hope this gives you some ideas on what to expect for your next winter hikes!
Check out the video of our hike in my YouTube channel below:
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