Information about this hike provided in partnership with
Mountaineers Books.
Copyright © Craig Romano/The Mountaineers Books Heather Lake
Featured In:
Day Hiking: North Cascades,
by Craig Romano.
A portion of all book sales from the links above benefits WTA and helps protect and maintain our trails. Heather Lake Trail No. 701 takes off into a crowded forest of second-growth fir. Colossal cedar stumps punctuate the forest floor, testaments of the impressive ancient forest that graced these slopes not too long ago. On rocky but good tread, the trail winds its way through the dark woods. A few frothing streams help break the bleakness. After a short burst of climbing, the trail merges onto an old woods road. The grade eases to round a ridge. Soon, however, it's once again up you go. The trail then enters a cool ravine-Heather Creek tumbles below, giant old-growth cedars tower above, and bountiful boughs of ferns grace the forest floor. Your new dynamic surroundings are quite a contrast to the woods you first entered. Cross a few more creeklets and traverse a few openings in the primeval forest. After about 1.75 miles, climbing ceases and, on a slight descent through another impressive grove of ancient giants, the trail approaches Heather Lake. At 2 miles you'll find the tranquil backcountry lake tucked in a semi-open cirque beneath Mount Pilchuck. A loop of 0.6 mile circumnavigates it. Follow it to experience the many facets of this little lake, from its jumbled boulder fields to its marshy meadows. Notice, too, the presence of yellow cedar and mountain hemlock, trees usually more associated with higher climes. Consider a visit in midfall, when tangles of vine maple add a crimson touch. Winter is also a delightful time to visit, but stay away from the lake's southern shores, where avalanches careen down from Pilchuck's steep upper reaches.
Driving Directions:
From Granite Falls follow the Mountain Loop Highway east. One mile beyond the Verlot Public Service Center, turn right onto graveled Forest Road 42 immediately after crossing the "Blue Bridge." Drive 1.3 miles to the trailhead (elev. 1400 ft). Privy available. Recent Trip Reports
Hiked here recently?
Submit a trip report!
There are
208
trip reports for this hike.
See all trip reports for this hike.
Day hike
Expand report text
Hide report text
Read full report
with photos
No problems with snow until closer to the parking lot. Parking lot full of snow and would be hard to...
No problems with snow until closer to the parking lot. Parking lot full of snow and would be hard to navigate without 4x4. But not a ton of snow on the trail itself! Many places were trekked across gravel in snowshoes. Passed two hikers in snowshoes and two without (one with just boots and the other with crampons).
Beautiful old growth towards top of trail - left too late to make it to the lake. Great hike nonetheless! Day hike
Issues:
Snow on trail
Expand report text
Hide report text
Read full report
with photos
Forest Road up to parking lot was in great condition. Parking lot itself has a lot of snow and...
Forest Road up to parking lot was in great condition. Parking lot itself has a lot of snow and was difficult to navigate even with 4x4. We arrived around 10:30am and made it to the lake around 1:00pm. Snowshoes probably weren't really required until after the first mile. From that point to the lake snowshoes were useful. It was our first snowshoe hike and we loved it. Lake was beautiful and was a great hike for our first time.
Day hike
Issues:
Blowdowns | Snow on trail
Expand report text
Hide report text
Read full report
with photos
Trip was uneventful until Quarry Road outside Granite Falls; roads were entirely covered in snow that had frozen the night...
Trip was uneventful until Quarry Road outside Granite Falls; roads were entirely covered in snow that had frozen the night before. Only slipped twice in the rig, but drove mostly 25-30 mph up the loop. Used 4wd to get up Mt. Pilchuck Road and drove to the parking area, which had 2 rigs ahead of us by 9:45am. There was probably 3-4 inches of snow compacted in the lot.
15 minutes later, we (1 adult, 1 6.5 yo) started up the trail. We had the snowshoes strapped to the packs, as they were not needed until about 1 1/4 or 1 1/2 miles up the trail. The trail is in good condition; only 3-4 blowdowns to navigate up/under/around/through :) We 'shoed around the left side of the lake about halfway and had a cup of cocoa and tea. It was snowing pretty good during the 45 minutes we were at the lake (probably 2" or so). We ran into 4-5 small groups during the day, and were back down the trail by 2:15pm. A great snowshoe. Some running water, lots of snow, decent grade climb, great for kids, dogs and families. Fun afternoon! Day hike
Issues:
Blowdowns | Mudholes | Water on trail | Snow on trail
Expand report text
Hide report text
Read full report
with photos
Left early from Seattle and battled snow showers and sketchy road conditions all the way there. The roads in...
Left early from Seattle and battled snow showers and sketchy road conditions all the way there. The roads in Granite Falls were bad. Mountain Hwy is also bad. Forest Road 42 is only accesible with 4wd. Be careful on Forest Rd 42. On my way out going down one of the switch backs I slide for a couple of hundred feet. GO SLOW.
The trail is in good shape. Above 2000 ft it was snowing very hard and there was alot of snow. Snow shoes are deffinetly needed if you want to try and hike around the lake. I made it about half of the way around the lake and then lost the trail. I doubled back and my foot printe were already completly covered. Below 2000ft under the fresh snow is alot of slush. All in all a fantastic hike. Views of Mt Pilchuck were non existent because it was snowing so hard. Day hike
Issues:
Blowdowns | Snow on trail
Expand report text
Hide report text
Read full report
with photos
This hike felt more like a hike in the November Northwest. No snow in the parking lot or on the...
This hike felt more like a hike in the November Northwest. No snow in the parking lot or on the trail until you get close to the lake. The trail around the lake is snow covered with the only challenge being when you cross the foot bridges, poles help. Found it a little tricky climbing over the downed tree, more so if you have dogs with you. We did see hikers carrying their snowshoes so unless it snows a bunch you won’t need snowshoes or crampons.
|
2011
Map it
|
Document Actions
- Email this page
- Print this
- Share
Forgot your
New user?
Heather Lake- March 26, 2009