Heather Lake — Saturday, Feb. 9, 2002

North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway

Mtn Loop highway totally clear of snow to Pilchuck Road. It is snow free for 1/4 mile. Necessary to have high clearance vehicle to gain passage after that as there are huge potholes and the ruts get real deep. I told myself to never come up the Pilchuck road on a weekend again, but I never learn. We were the first ones on the trail, and made good time up to the lake. Snowshoes were not necessary on the way up as it is compact snow. We made a traverse around the lake (even though others walk across it, not worth it to me since the lake is only at 2500') and had lunch on the far end and watched avalanches. Watched a solo climber gain the ridge towards Lake 22. On the descent we saw at least 25 hikers on their way up. Once at the parking lot there were several locals trying to get their 1 ton trucks unstuck since they blocked the road and delayed our departure for quite awhile. If you want to hike Heather or Pilchuck, do it on the weekday, or park on the Mtn Loop and hike up.