Trails for everyone, forever

Home Go Hiking Trip Reports Heather Lake

Trip Report

Heather Lake — Friday, Jul. 25, 2025

North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
misty lake

This was a great half-day hike - popular, but not over-populated on this day (Friday where it was wet in the morning).  The trail was almost overgroomed at the beginning (recent trail work there) and was tougher in the later half - lots of cool, complex roots to maneuver through.  Old growth (and huge) tree stumps with lots of baby trees, plants and moss growing out of them.  Lots of blueberries (or huckleberries?) and some salmonberries near the lake.  Amazing dome spiderwebs were especially visible in the misty weather.

The day was just awesome, starting out very misty and got gradually sunnier throughout the hike.  When we got to the lake, we could only see some of the closer rocks and trees - couldn't see the other side of the lake.  It actually felt a little like an Arthurian legend combined with a little Tolkien...!

This hike is a good warm-up for Pilchuck and Blanca Lake, which are definitely more difficult than this one..  

near the lake
cool part of the trail
more cool trees
Did you find this trip report helpful?

Comments