Heather Lake (near Lake Wenatchee)
Last modified
Nov 04, 2009 01:40 PM
Hemlock or Huckleberry would be a more suitable name for this lake, as you'll be hard-pressed finding heather growing along the shores of this backcountry beauty. A misnomer yes, but a lake you'll not want to miss. Cradled beneath knolls of meadows along the Cascade crest and set in a deep forest of primeval proportions, Heather Lake is a pure gem. And the trail is a near delight! But you won't be alone here, as plenty of your fellow hikers are well aware of all of this.
Starting at the edge of an old clear-cut, the very well-constructed and well-maintained trail immediately enters a forest of big, beautiful ancient giants. You may end up agreeing with me that as worthy a hiking objective as Heather Lake is, this old-growth forest rivals it in beauty and majesty. The first mile or so of this trail is pure pedestrian delight, gaining nary a foot in elevation. Cross side creeks and weave beneath towering hemlocks. At about 1.5 miles reach a heavy-duty bridge spanning Lake Creek as it cascades through a small gorge. The bridge was constructed in 2003, relegating the old log-jam crossing of the creek to the annals of hiking history. Soon afterward, enter the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness and finally begin gaining elevation. The way turns steeper, but a cornucopia of ripe huckleberries may slow you down more than the grade. Pass a small ledge that provides a good glimpse out to Labyrinth Mountain, and then continue the upward momentum. Eventually the way levels out once more and Lake Creek returns to your side. At 3.3 miles reach 3950-foot Heather Lake near its outlet. Stake out your spot on one of its polished, sun-kissed shoreline ledges and savor the surroundings. Grizzly Peak bears down from above. Ripples brush up against giant cedar logs. Alaska yellow cedars drape the shore. Not a heather in sight, but what a sight! Recent Trip Reports
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Heather Lake
— Sep 13, 2009
— Kathy & Roger
Multi-night backpack
Features:
Ripe berries
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Berries, berries, berries. Blue and Huckle. Almost had the lake to ourselves. Windy and misty the first night. Calm the...
Berries, berries, berries. Blue and Huckle. Almost had the lake to ourselves. Windy and misty the first night. Calm the second.
Hike was awesome. Then we took day hike to Glasses Lake. Short but steep. Trail well marked. Go left around lake until you come to a rocky stream, then up you go. Small alpine field and tadpoles and frogs galore. In September! My friend has the pictures. Very fun!
Heather Lake
— Aug 08, 2009
— Four Johns
Day hike
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Our family made quick work of the trail to Heather Lake, enjoyed lunch on a boulder by the water's edge...
Our family made quick work of the trail to Heather Lake, enjoyed lunch on a boulder by the water's edge and then went back through Granite Falls for icecream. A perfect Saturday. The birds were very active at the lake which made for great entertainment as we ate. From our vantage point we watched 15 to 20 birds in air-to-air combat with the insects unlucky enough to pop above the tall grass by the lake. There were also a fair number of hummingbirds and diving ducks.
Two hints for this hike 1) It is possible to hike the loop around the lake with a minimal amount of climbing over and ducking under some fallen trees. The signs at the trailhead claim that it is impassable. Don't be dissuaded. 2) Maybe 1/3 of the way up the trail joins with an overgrown road. The road goes uphill while the trail proceeds sharply downhill. Enough people have headed up at this juncture (which seems logical) that it looks as if the correct choice might be the old road. Keep pressing on the descending trail which will head back uphill shortly.
Heather Lake
— Jul 14, 2009
— Jan Deveny
Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
Issues:
Blowdowns | Mudholes
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This is hike #71 in Craig Romano's book, "Day Hiking the Central Cascades". The road was in good shape....
This is hike #71 in Craig Romano's book, "Day Hiking the Central Cascades". The road was in good shape. There were a few downed logs accross the trail and one log laying right in the middle of the trail. In all cases they were easy to get around. There were a few muddy areas in the last half mile before the Lake. No snow anywhere. We saw a few bunchberry flowers and a few avalanche lillies, but really there were very few flowers and very few bugs. The berries are a long way from ripe. It was a nice day and a nice hike.
Heather Lake
— Jun 14, 2009
— jjdebord
Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
Issues:
Blowdowns | Water on trail | Snow on trail
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Decided to make Heather Lake our first hike of the season. Although the last 1/2- 3/4 mile of trail was...
Decided to make Heather Lake our first hike of the season. Although the last 1/2- 3/4 mile of trail was snow covered the rest of the trail was in good shape with only a few blow-downs. Thankfully the bugs were few and far between. The wild flowers were just begging to show.
Day hike
Issues:
Snow on trail
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with photos
I decided to return to this Heather Lake this year after 21 years. The road to the trailhead was in...
I decided to return to this Heather Lake this year after 21 years. The road to the trailhead was in good shape. I came in from the Lake Wenatchee side and the guidebook says to turn left onto FS 6702, however, the sign for the turnoff is FS 6700. No big problem, but I had to stop and look at the map. There is parking for half a dozen vehicles at the trailhead and there were two other vehicles there already (WTA trail crew). |
Driving Directions
From Everett head east on US 2 for 85 miles to Coles Corner. (From Leaven-worth travel west on US 2 for 15 miles.) Turn left (north) onto State Route 207 (signed for Lake Wenatchee) and proceed 4.2 miles to a Y intersection after crossing the Wenatchee River. Bear left onto North Shore Road. At 7.6 miles, after passing the ranger station and crossing the White River, the road becomes Forest Road 65. Continue west on FR 65 for 4.7 miles, turning left onto FR 67. After 0.4 mile turn right onto FR 6701. Continue for 4.7 miles, turning left onto FR 6701-400 (signed "Heather Lake T.H."). Drive for 2.4 miles to the road's end and trailhead (elev. 2700 ft).
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