Apron Falls

The Lake 22 Trailhead is located 13-1/2 miles east of Granite Falls along the Mountain Loop Highway and is prominently signed (and indicated often by overflow parking along the highway). The hike to the lake is approximately 2.4 miles in length, and the various waterfalls along the creek can be partially seen from points along the route. Apron Falls is passed about one-quarter mile before reaching the lake.Apron Falls is the uppermost waterfall along Twentytwo Creek as it exits Lake 22 on the north flank of Mount Pilchuck. The falls occur about one-quarter mile below the lake, where Twentytwo Creek veils 69 feet over a wide shelf in a fan-shaped fall as it starts it's 1500 foot descent to the Stilliguamish River in the valley below. Like all the other falls along Twentytwo Creek, Apron Falls cannot be seen in an unobstructed manner from the trail, and a short scramble is necessary to achieve a clear view. Twentytwo Creek originates in Lake 22 just upstream from the falls, and drains from a basin covering just seven-tenths of a square mile. Despite the small drainage area, the stream retains a fairly consistent flow throughout the year thanks to the significant precipitation the area receives and the steep cliffs on the north side of Mount Pilchuck which shield the basin from direct sunlight and slows the rate of snow melt in the spring.The series of waterfalls along Twentytwo Creek have been collectively referred to as Twentytwo Creek Falls since the first edition of Greg Plumb's "Waterfalls of the Pacific Northwest" which later became the "Waterfall Lover's Guide" series. Because closer examination of the creek shows there are at least 5 distinct waterfalls along the creek, this name is not terribly appropriate.