Information about this hike provided in partnership with
Mountaineers Books.
Copyright © Craig Romano/The Mountaineers Books Heather Lake
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.
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
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Heather Lake #701
— Apr 23, 2005
— Chinook
Day hike
Issues:
Snow on trail
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The blow down has been cleared from the trail. There is still snow on the trail about 1/8 to 1/4 mi...
The blow down has been cleared from the trail. There is still snow on the trail about 1/8 to 1/4 mile from the lake, but easily passable. The trail around the lake is mostly still covered with snow - boardwalks are about half melted off, but the rocky area is still under snow (but walkable if you don't mind postholing every now and then). Day hike
Issues:
Blowdowns | Snow on trail
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A sunny Thursday and daughter home on spring break - what more can you ask for a great hike.
Heath...
A sunny Thursday and daughter home on spring break - what more can you ask for a great hike.
Heather Lake #701
— Feb 25, 2005
— Ferndale Tree Guy
Day hike
Issues:
Snow on trail
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A pot-holed road leads you to the trailhead where you are greeted with a sheet of compact snow and ...
A pot-holed road leads you to the trailhead where you are greeted with a sheet of compact snow and ice. The icy patch right at the trailhead disappears as soon you enter the tree canopy. For the next 1.5 miles, the trail is virtually snow and ice-free. Only one wind-fall to scramble over on the whole trail. Day hike
Features:
Fall foliage
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Snow on trail
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It all started on a febuary afternoon of 2005, when my family was going to go on a hike to Mt. Pilch...
It all started on a febuary afternoon of 2005, when my family was going to go on a hike to Mt. Pilchuck summit but we got there too late. We decided on Heather Lake instead and my brother Kyle and Zack came and they don't get along very well. It was a nice hike to the lake. Once we got there we had a picnic and had Lunch/Dinner. After that, my mom and Kyle and Zach wanted to turn back, but me and Michael wanted to scramble up this rock pile to get a view above the lake which is off trail. After scrambling up, we noticed that it was starting to become sunset so we headed down.
On the way down we almost lost the trail a few times and when it was almost dark we got to the parking lot. "No Way" I said because when we got there the car was gone and my mom or anyone else was'nt there exept for my brother Michael who had been with me the whole time. It so happend that my mother wanted to go up and see the sunset, but within the time we got there was the time she was gone. We waited a long time, but not long enough but we did'nt know at the time. We came up with a theory of what If they left us on accedent because Zach might have got in a fight with Kyle or something like that. So we decided to walk down to Verlot to go use a phone. It was dark by this point. We did not have money for the pay phone so we kept walking through the town. Later when it was about 8:00P.M. we got to someones house and asked if we could use there phone, they allowed us to and it was long distance and no one answered because my mom was not home. Just as we were about to leave the guy offers us a ride to Granite Falls which is were my Aunt who we do not know lives. Once we got there we could not find her house so he offered us a ride all the way home. Very generous to do that for some strangers and we live close to Seattle. After that we told him my mothers license plate number so that he could check there to make sure everything was ok. My mom's side of the story is she wanted to see the sunset from the upper parking lot and decided that we would not be back for a little while, but it just so happends that in that amount of time things can go out of hand. When they drove back they decided to hike up to Heather lake in the dark. When she got to the lake she looked all over and obviously could not find us because we were at home. After going back down my mom was worried sick and kept waiting. At about 12:00P.M. the guy who gave us a ride home told what happend and we all made it home safely. Day hike
Issues:
Blowdowns | Water on trail | Snow on trail
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It looked like a good day for a hike in the woods and Heather Lake was our choice. Slush and lots o...
It looked like a good day for a hike in the woods and Heather Lake was our choice. Slush and lots of Big Potholes on the road up to the trailhead. Soft snow and slush through woods with some creek beds running on trail. One blow down over trail about 1 mile up but easy to cross over. Around the Lake the snow was about 6"" deep but easily hiked with boots and gaiters. Had some Sun for our lunch break and took these photos. It started to snow again on our way down and it was a Great day in the woods. |
 2011
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