GRANITE FALLS — The closure of the uber-popular Lake 22 trail will continue nearly two months longer than anticipated, federal officials said Friday.
The trail east of Granite Falls off the Mountain Loop Highway has been closed since July for extensive trail maintenance. It was initially set to reopen next week.
Now, the trail is set to remain closed until Dec. 1, U.S. Forest Service spokesperson Jeff Clark said.
“The trail will be receiving heavy maintenance with the contractor using a mini-excavator and other power equipment,” Clark said in an email Friday to explain the extended closure.
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The 5.4-mile round-trip trail crosses a number of streams, while rising over 1,300 feet in elevation before reaching the pristine lake. Cars often crowd the side of the Mountain Loop Highway in the summer to access it.
Flooding last December damaged the trail, necessitating the recent work.
“We understand the inconvenience closing such a popular trail causes, but work cannot be done safely with hikers present” said Camden Bruner, a ranger with the Darrington district, in a press release in July. “We appreciate the publics patience while work occurs and will be excited to open an improved trail soon!”
The project is a partnership with the National Forest Foundation and funding is coming through Great American Outdoors Act dollars.
With the closure continuing, Snohomish County Volunteer Search & Rescue recommended a few other hikes along the highway, instead:
• Bear Lake: 0.8 miles round trip, with 75 feet of elevation gain;
• Heather Lake: 5 miles round trip, with just over 1,000 feet of gain; and
• Goat Lake: 10.4 miles round trip, with 1,400 feet of elevation gain.
Jake Goldstein-Street: 425-339-3439; jake.goldstein-street@heraldnet.com; X: @GoldsteinStreet.
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