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Heather Lake

Last modified Nov 04, 2009 01:44 PM
Contributors: barb
Don't expect to find much heather growing along the shores of this pretty little subalpine lake. That ubiquitous mountain shrub is pretty hard to find on this hike. But what you can expect to see along the way are some mighty fine old cedars. Expect, too, to be serenaded by babbling brooks, wooed by fine views of Mount Pilchuck's craggy, rocky north face, and charmed by Heather's placid waters. Don't plan on being alone here, however; this easy trail is one of the premier stomping grounds off of the Mountain Loop Highway. On a sunny summer weekend, you'll likely encounter the entire spectrum of the hiking world, from old-timers to neophytes and everyone in between.

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.
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Recent Trip Reports

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There are 128 trip reports for this hike. See all trip reports for this hike.
Heather Lake — Oct 28, 2009 — Janice Van Cleve
Day hike
Issues: Water on trail | Snow on trail
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The Heather Lake trail is still an easy quick hike of 5 miles round trip - if you walk the...
The Heather Lake trail is still an easy quick hike of 5 miles round trip - if you walk the trail all around the lake. The last snow dropped a shallow smatter of caviar pellets over the area pretty much covering the trail after the first mile. The path is very easy to follow with no obstructions, gaining 1200 feet in two miles. The Pilchuck Road is clear to the trailhead.

This is an easy winter hike with a clear trail, not very long, and no avalanche danger. The trailhead is about a mile up the Pilchuck road and has an outhouse - although it is so close to the Verlot ranger station with its lighted, heated restroom that most folks use that. The trail switchbacks through woods where giant stumps evidence the huge trees that used to grow here. There are still many old giants worthy of awe in these woods. After a gradual steady gain, the trail levels out for the last few hundred yards to the lake.

The lake is beginning to ice along the edges but still very clear. Snow dusting on Pilchuck only serves to highlight its angles. Absolutely beautiful! Lots of water on the rocky trail which is to be expected this time of year, but its just enough to wash off the bottom of your boots. Best of all I scored a nice clutch of Oyster mushrooms right at the side of the trail which I sauteed with pumpkin see oil. Coffee at Granite Falls with a shot of pumpkin flavoring finished the day.
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Heather Lake — Aug 29, 2009 — MrG'sMom
Overnight
Features: Wildflowers blooming | Ripe berries
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Reached a full parking lot Saturday morning, but four guys coming down told us they had just vacated the "best...
Reached a full parking lot Saturday morning, but four guys coming down told us they had just vacated the "best camping spot right on the lake." The first third of the trail is former clear cut, filled in by younger trees, some of them growing right out of the trunks of the old giants. That spooky, devastated feeling one always senses in former clear-cut areas gives way, as one rises higher, to a sense of peace, perhaps helped by the ever-present sound of cascading water. Our two boys cooled off by wetting their caps under the waterfall.

Despite the heavy layer of mist, lots of day-hikers were circumnavigating the lake on Saturday with plastic bags for gathering huckleberries, which were plentiful and delicious. Some wild flowers still ablaze along the boardwalk, and lots of frogs jumping around, despite the diminished water table. Our camp site was perched right next to the water, with a large fire pit, and a bit of mud left over the rainy night before. Despite all that, it was practically perfect--we had the lake entirely to ourselves, no doubt because of the heavy mist hanging over us. As promised, the air cleared overnight. Stars everywhere around midnight. No bugs worth mentioning. Even the birds seemed quiet. The sound of the waterfalls in the distance were lovely to fall asleep to. Woke up to blue sky and was glad to get down before Sunday's hordes came rushing up the slope. A perfect first-time overnight hike for two 9-year-old boys and their moms.
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Heather Lake — Aug 23, 2009 — lefthand
Day hike
Features: Ripe berries
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Good hike, although the trail is worn and rocky at certain points along the way. It wasn't too busy...
Good hike, although the trail is worn and rocky at certain points along the way. It wasn't too busy when we began around 10:30, but the parking lot was full on the hike out. When you get to the lake, you have to walk its perimeter, very worth it. There are a few nice spots for camping at the the lake that I will want to explore soon, and plenty of wild berries to pick along its edges. Our dog loved the shallows of the lake and quickly made friends with other dogs on the trail.

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Heather Lake — Jul 25, 2009 — SnowHikerK
Day hike
Issues: Water on trail | Bugs
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A nice hot day in Seattle, but suddenly rain up in Granite Falls. The rain clouds blew by as we...
A nice hot day in Seattle, but suddenly rain up in Granite Falls. The rain clouds blew by as we parked at the Heather Lake parking lot and the temps remained in the upper 80's. This was my first hike without snow at Heather Lake in many years but I wanted my daughter to see what it looked like without all the snow.

The streams are much smaller now and so easy to cross. The cool air by the main stream crossing was a nice place for a break. The lake is great and very warm today with quite a few bugs around. A few people were swimming when we got there at about 1:00pm
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Heather Lake — Jul 02, 2009 — physics hiker
Day hike
Features: Wildflowers blooming
Issues: Blowdowns | Bugs
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I needed a bit of exercise so I drove up the Mountain Loop Highway to do Heather Lake in the...
I needed a bit of exercise so I drove up the Mountain Loop Highway to do Heather Lake in the morning. I was awake early and at the trailhead and hiking at 8am. The lower part of the trail is in good shape except for the normal roots. The last half mile to the lake has snow patches, but they are melting fast. (This was a big improvement over when I did this on 6/1 and the trail was completely snow covered and the lake was still partially frozen over.) The flowers are out and I saw marsh marigolds, bunchberry, thimbleberry, foamflower, and more.

Since the snow was mostly gone I was able to start to walk around the lake. Slightly less than halfway going clockwise there has been an avalanche shortly after the boardwalk and the fallen trees completely bury the trail. It may be possible to find a route through the trees, but I was not that ambitious.

The mosquitoes are out in force.
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Location
Heather Lake (#701)
North Cascades -- Mountain Loop Highway
Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Darrington District
2.86 out of 5
Based on 14 votes
Featured In...

Day Hiking: North Cascades
by Craig Romano

To buy the full book, including maps, elevation profiles, photos, and more, visit:

A portion of all book sales from the links above benefits WTA and helps protect and maintain our trails.

Information about this hike provided in partnership with Mountaineers Books. Copyright © Craig Romano/The Mountaineers Books

Roundtrip 4.6 miles
Elevation Gain 1100 ft
Highest Point 2500 ft
Features
Lakes
Waterfalls
Old growth
Mountain views
Guidebooks & Maps
Day Hiking: North Cascades (Romano - Mountaineers Books)
Best Hikes for Kids, Western Washington and the Cascades
Take A Hike Seattle
Hiking Snohomish County
Green Trails Granite Falls No. 109

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Driving Directions
(48.0829, -121.7740) Open in new window
Red Marker Heather Lake
48.0828833333 -121.774033333
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.
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Heather Lake- March 26, 2009

Posted by jaredc at Mar 28, 2009 12:36 PM
The road to the trailhead was fine, unless you want to go to Pilchuck! That was blocked with a 25 foot high wall of snow; make that two walls of snow. There were 4 of us and 3 of us have been up there more then a dozen times on day hikes and a few overnighters. This was the earliest we had ever been and we thought about snowshoes but dismissed the fact immediately. Needless to say, the trail had just recieved two feet of fresh snow on Wednesday night and we were the first ones up there. Keep in mind that we are all young, I am the oldest at 19 but we have all been on numerous hikes together. We had no idea what would happen on this day! We got to the top only to find that we had taken a wrong turn almost at the top (it was pretty easy to do with two feeet of new snow!) But we wound our way back around to cross the bridge over the creek (which had about 15 feet of snow on it and the steel i-beam was bent due to the wieght of the snow!) We rested and ate lunch over looking what should have been the lake and watched avalanches as we made hot soup. We made the rookie mistake of heading down with only an hour left of daylight! WARNING: If you are crossing the bridge, be EXTREMELY careful! My buddy was crossing the bridge on the way down and the snow wedged off! He fell right into Heather Creek and landed on his right foot (about a 15- 20 foot drop). He couldn't walk on it and he was wet everywhere (and it was cold out!) I had packed an extra sweatshirt (luckily) and I gave it him so that we would be dry. I beat feet down to my car (with my dog) so that I could let everyone know that we wouldn't be back on schedule and I grabbed some dry clothes, food, and a sheet. Then I headed back up the trail. Two hours later I returned with warm clothes for my buddy and with the help of my brother and his friend we wrapped his ankle tightly with pieces of the sheet so that he could walk on it. An older more experienced hiker and his dad met us up there with hot tea and warm clothes. We finally reached the truck at 3 AM (frozen) but there is a nice path to Heather Lake in the snow now! The trail is covered in snow about a third of the way up and toward the top there is about 6-8 feet of snow on the trail! Happy hiking!
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