Heather Lake

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.