Heather Lake (near Lake Wenatchee), Glasses Lake — Saturday, Jul. 28, 2012

Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East

Thought as we were driving on this remote forest service road there would be no one at the trail head. To my surprise there were about 15 cars and the Forest Rangers truck. So much for being alone. Although I do take comfort in passing hikers and asking how the trail is and any pointers on the way. Trail was in great shape. A few little bridges to cross before the main steel bridge built in 2003 and the beginning of the Henry Jackson Wilderness and the start of the "Mini Mailbox Peak/Goat Hill" climb. The trail climbs steadily from the last bridge and continues for 2.25 mi. to the lake. Take a rest at the ledge at about the 2.3mi mark with only about another 1.25mi to go to the lake. It does even out prior to the lake so keep plodding along after leaving the ledge. Once at the lake there are great places for overnight camping and some nice big sloped rock ledges for lunch views of the lake. If you are feeling like the 3.6mi up from the trailhead still isnt enough for you head towards the left side of the lake and cross the log jam and look for the trail that goes along the lake. You need to keep your eyes looking down in order to see the trail amongst all the blueberry bushes but there is a trail. You will have to scramble over quite a few down trees as well. Once you hit the main creek towards the end of the lake start looking for the trail that cuts left and this will take you another 0.85 mi up to Glasses Lake. The hike to Glasses Lake is worth the reward of more scrambling along a trail that is hard to see but it is there. This is also a trail not for dogs so leave them at Heather Lake. There are a few places that have a little snow patches left but easily traveled. Also there is a place that requires you to cut up thru some rock ledges as well but it is manageable. Finally as you reach the top and scramble over the last ledge Glasses Lake appears. A typical alpine lake with snow still around its edges. So from Heather Lake to Glasses Lake is another 1.85 mi one way. Also, my GPS says that the Heather Lake hike is actually 3.6mi one way and not the 3.25 mi that the WTA site reports. I trust my GPS. Round trip to Heather Lake should be more like 7.2mi and if you scramble up to Glasses Lake and back its a round trip total of 10.9mi. I saw kids, dogs, seniors on this hike so even though it is a tough hike in spots it is certainly a hike that many age groups can do. Flowers/Trees seen: Queens Cup, Valerian, Foam Flower, Jeffrey's Shooting Star, Bunch Berry, Heather, Old growth Douglas Firs, Silver Firs, Trillium, Marsh Violet, Devils Club, Cow Parsley