Lake 22 Day Tour

Take our one-of-a-kind Lake 22 tour, where you’ll combine hiking and kayaking for the rare opportunity to paddle a breathtaking alpine lake deep in the Washington Cascades. It’s an adventure unlike anything else near Seattle!

Because why just hike to an alpine lake when you can paddle it!

A guest paddling a packraft through an alpine stream with Cascade mountains in the background during the Optimum Adventures Lake 22 tour in Washington.

A guest paddling on Lake 22 beneath its towering mountain backdrop during the Optimum Adventures Lake 22 kayaking tour in Washington.

Guests and their guide posing together on the Lake 22 tour with waterfalls, alpine scenery, and the surrounding Cascade Mountains behind them.

Guests hiking the Lake 22 Trail with their guide while carrying hiking and packrafting equipment during the Optimum Adventures Lake 22 tour.

An excited guest posing in a packraft on beautiful Lake 22 during a guided alpine lake kayaking tour with Optimum Adventures.

A guest enjoying a fresh sandwich before paddling during the Optimum Adventures Lake 22 tour, combining hiking, lunch, and alpine lake kayaking in Washington.

Select photo credits: Nikolas Parks of Frame Focus Photography

Lake 22 Tour Info

Lake 22 Tour Description

Your Lake 22 tour begins with a scenic drive along the Mountain Loop Highway before meeting your guide at the trailhead, where all of your hiking and paddling gear will be ready to go.

After a brief safety and stewardship talk, you’ll set off on a guided hike through a lush forest. Along the way, your guide will share the area’s fascinating history, geology, flora, and fauna as you pass rushing creeks, waterfalls, and scenic viewpoints.

Upon reaching the lake, you’ll relax with a delicious, fully-provided lunch while your guide prepares your alpine lake paddling experience. Once you’re ready, you’ll receive a short safety briefing before launching onto the pristine alpine waters.

As you paddle across Lake 22, you’ll leave the crowds behind and experience the lake from a perspective few visitors ever do. Your guide will offer paddling instruction and lead you around the shoreline, pointing out unique features, taking photos, and sharing stories before giving you time to paddle, explore, and soak in the incredible scenery at your own pace.

After an unforgettable time on the water, we’ll pack up our gear and enjoy one final hike through the forest back to the trailhead, leaving you with plenty of time to enjoy the rest of your evening—and memories that will last a lifetime.

Photo credit: Sydney Brown of Sydney Brown Travels

Lake 22 Tour Additional Info

Lake 22
Tour Details

Trip Duration | Half-day
Season | May – October
~
Ages | 14 – 65
Max. Party Size | 6 guests
~
Hiking Level | Moderate
Hike Distance | 2.5 mi (one way)
Hike Elevation Gain | 1,400 ft
Pack Weight | 20 lb.
~
Price | $179 / pp

Departures | M-TH
Start Time | 7:00 am
Meeting Location
- Trailhead Location
  - ~70 min. from Seattle

Lake 22
Tour Highlights

One-of-a-kind experience
Paddle one of Washington’s most beautiful alpine lakes
Lush forest with waterfalls and scenic mountain views
Well-maintained hiking trail
Our shortest alpine lake paddling tour
Just over an hour from Seattle
Small-group experience
Professional guide and all gear provided

Select photo credits: Nikolas Parks of Frame Focus Photography

Who This Tour is For

This tour is perfect for moderate hikers looking to experience the best of the Washington Cascades without committing to a full-day or overnight backpacking trip. If you want an adventure that combines a beautiful hike with the rare opportunity to paddle an alpine lake, this is the tour for you.

Lake 22 offers an incredibly well-rounded Cascade experience, featuring lush old-growth forest, waterfalls, mountain scenery, and one of Washington’s most beautiful alpine lakes. It’s especially spectacular in the spring season as well as during and after rainy weather, when waterfalls cascade down the surrounding cliffs.

As our shortest and most accessible alpine lake paddling tour, it’s also an excellent choice for visitors looking for a unique adventure just a short drive from Seattle.

What's Included

Professional, certified guide
Packraft, paddle, PFD, and all paddling equipment
Backpack and all hiking equipment needed for the tour
Introductory paddling instruction
Guided hike
Guided alpine lake paddling experience
Fresh, fully provided lunch
Snacks and water refills
Safety equipment
Professional photos of your adventure
- Optional add-on
Parking pass
All permits and fees

What to Bring

Transportation to the trailhead
Hiking shoes
Comfortable hiking clothing and layers
Water
Additional snacks (optional)
Water shoes or sandals
Swimsuit (optional)
Guide gratuities
- 20% is customary

After booking, you’ll receive a detailed packing list with everything you’ll need to prepare for your adventure.

Reviews

Adam is the best! He is so organized and goes above and beyond. I went to the Alpine Lake Day Tour and this for sure will stay there at the top highlights of this year. I'll be sure to recommend this to all my friends!

My boyfriend and I booked the alpine lake day tour for his birthday, and he can confidently attest that this was a 10/10, phenomenal birthday experience! Adam is super knowledgeable, helpful, incredibly prepared, and just an all-around awesome guide. This trip exceeded our expectations in so many ways, from the delicious snacks provided (and super yummy sandwich) to the gorgeous scenery and pack-rafting itself! Throughout our hike, Adam would stop to point out different flora/fauna of the PNW, take us to scenic viewpoints, and tell us all about the cool historical background of the area. Overall, definitely a fun and exciting once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Our family of 4 had an AMAZING experience on a day tour walking on the trail and then rafting on the lake. Adam made sure we were comfortable with the route and set clear expectations. When we arrived at the trailhead, all our packs were ready sized to our heights. The hike was lovely through varied tree canopies. Adam was knowledgeable about the area and extremely friendly. The rafting was fun and you really appreciated the magnificence of the area while on the water. Lunch, snacks and water were all provided. The sandwich was really yummy and the snacks were well-balanced. We took stops along the way to make sure everyone was hydrated and had enough food. Would definitely recommend Optimum Adventures to explore the Pacific Northwest. A wonderful expedition day to experience the beauty of this area.

My day tour pack rafting with Optimum Adventures was phenomenal! Adam did a fantastic job at accommodating everyone's needs and preferences, and made the entire trip feel easy and fun. I had never pack rafted before and this was an awesome introduction to the activity. The rafts fit neatly into backpacks and were really lightweight! I would highly recommend the pack rafting day tour to anyone interested in enjoying gorgeous PNW scenery in a unique way! Also, Adam was super knowledgeable about all things PNW and pack rafting--he took several opportunities while hiking to point out different cool features in the forest and on the water. I'd absolutely go out on a tour with Optimum Adventures again.

We travelled from Australia with the Goat Lake pack rafting to be one of the highlights of our holiday. It truly live up to expectations. The scenery was spectacular and September weather was perfect. Adam was well prepared, knowledgeable and a great host. The hike up was pretty demanding but well worth it.

Optimum Adventures offers a terrific guided experience. My son and I chose a multi day packrafting adventure and couldn’t have been happier with the choice. Clear communication before the trip, all the details taken care of, expert and kind guide work on both the trails and the water. Loved it.

FAQs

Check out our frequently asked questions below for answers to common questions about our Lake 22 Tour:

Where do we meet?

To give you the most flexibility, we meet directly at the Lake 22 Trailhead, where your guide will have all of your hiking and paddling gear ready to go before beginning the adventure.

What should I bring?

We do our best to make your adventure as easy as possible, especially for those traveling or new to hiking and alpine lake paddling. That’s why we provide all of the hiking and paddling equipment you’ll need, along with a fresh, fully provided lunch.
All you need to bring is appropriate hiking clothing and footwear, water, and any additional snacks you’d like.
After booking, we’ll also send you a detailed packing list so you know exactly what to bring and can arrive prepared and ready for an amazing day.

Can I bring my own gear?

We carefully select and customize our hiking and paddling gear to keep it lightweight, comfortable, and well-suited for our unique hike-and-paddle adventures. For that reason, we recommend using the gear we provide, as it’s designed to give you the best experience.
If you’d prefer to bring your own gear, just reach out before your tour and we’ll be happy to discuss whether it’s a good fit.

Do I need to worry about parking?

A parking pass is required for this trailhead. If you already have a Northwest Forest Pass or America the Beautiful Pass, you’re welcome to use it.
If you don’t have one, no problem—we’ll provide a parking pass free of charge. After booking, we’ll ask about your parking pass in a short pre-trip form so we can have everything ready for your arrival.

How much will I need to carry?

For our Alpine Lake Kayaking Day Tours, guests should be comfortable carrying a pack weighing approximately 20 pounds for the duration of the hike.
If you’re unsure whether this tour is the right fit for your fitness level, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’d be happy to recommend another tour or help you prepare with a training plan so you can confidently enjoy the adventure!

Still have questions? Give us a call at 206-504-3588 or reach out anytime—we’d be happy to help you choose the Alpine Lake Kayaking tour that’s the best fit for your adventure.

Ready for Your Next Adventure?

Book Your Lake 22 Tour

Ready to experience one of Washington’s most unique adventures? Reserve your spot today and start planning your unforgettable hike-and-paddle experience.

Have Questions?

We’re here to help! If you have any questions about the Lake 22 Tour or want help deciding if it’s the right adventure for you, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Explore Our Other Adventures

Looking for a different experience? Explore our other one-of-a-kind alpine lake hiking and paddling tours to find the adventure that’s right for you.

Lake 22 Day Tour