Hundred Step 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. Hundred Step Falls is passed about 1.6 miles from the trailhead.Hundred Step Falls is the second and largest of the significant waterfalls along Twentytwo Creek as it exits Lake 22 on the north flank of Mount Pilchuck. A successful measurement of the falls has thus far proven difficult to obtain thanks to the copious spray ejected from the falls, and the thick forest canopy surrounding it, but based on one-meter Lidar data, the falls drop a total of 233 feet. The stream splits in to two channels near the top of the falls, both tumbling down a series of steps which follow one right after the other. The largest individual step drops about 80 feet. The final tier of the falls sees the two streams converge after veiling and then cascading side-by-side over a 50 foot wall. Though the falls are not visible from the main trail, a well worn spur path leads to its base, and the roar of the falls provides an unmistakable sirens call for passing hikers.
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.