Confusion 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. Confusion Falls is passed about 1 mile from the trailhead.While not all of the falls are easily visible, Confusion Falls is likely the most commonly seen of all the waterfalls along Twentytwo Creek. This messy series of waterfalls occurs where Twentytwo Creek drops over three straightforward tiers, totaling 74 feet, then is split by a pile of debris into two channels - one of which will run dry when the stream flow drops in the early summer. One side flumes down a narrow gorge for another 54 feet, the other drops in two or three tiers, and joins the other half in the gorge below. Because of the twisty nature of the gorge the entire waterfall cannot be seen collectively. Twentytwo Creek originates in Lake 22 just upstream from the first of the waterfalls along Twentytwo Creek, 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.