Heather Lake — Thursday, Sep. 11, 2025

The last time I did this hike, there was snow and ice all the way up. The time before that... fireweed aflame in pinkest bloom, with several people swimming. This time, I got to experience dramatic low-hanging clouds, myriad orange fungi underfoot, and blushes of fall colors on the slopes enveloping the lake.

I arrived at 12:45pm to a main parking lot almost full. The "extra" parking lot was empty. The bathroom is well-stocked with TP, and I saw no trash at any juncture. Two flies pestered me, though they were not pernicious enough for me to do anything more than wave them away.

The ascent got my blood pumping. I still only drank two 16oz water bottles over the course of my hike. I chalk it up to the cooler weather.

All hikers encountered both up and down were amicable. I saw about thirty other people. I spent much of my walking time in total silence with 10-20 minute intervals of no human interaction.

I arrived at the lake at 1:45pm. The sun poked through the clouds just in time for me to crest a rock and photosynthesize! >:)

A silent salute to the fellow solitary rock-sitters triangulating the water with me at 2pm. It's a comfort to see other people enjoying the wilderness alone. The friendly dragonflies, butterflies, and jumping fish make for excellent company. My apologies to the garter snake I startled.

Heather Lake has many good seats and is easy to share.

The trail is a bit wet with some shallow creeks to be crossed. I'd rather hike in mud/small amounts of water, often navigable or circumnavigable with poles, than contend with wildfire smoke. Nonetheless, I was very glad to have my poles.

There is a small tree across the trail early on that can either be crouched under or bypassed by taking a steep footpath to its left.

The recent trail improvements still smelled like fresh-cut wood. An enormous thank you to our trail workers!

I returned to my car at 4:30pm, moving at the pace of plant identification and root-wrangling. My heart was filled to the brim from all those xanthous fungi discoveries (the yellow coral was especially beguiling.) 🍄🍁