Heather Lake — Friday, Feb. 15, 2002

North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway

The weather was great once we left Seattle, with blue skies and sunshine over the mountains. The road to the Heather Lake trail head was rutted, and my little bug took quite a beating. So much so that we couldn't even get to the trailhead (not enough ground clearance). We backed down the road to a turnout, and then walked back up the the trailhead (I'm guessing 1/4 mile). The trail is pretty clear about halfway up, and then the snow is hardpacked for most of the rest of the way to the lake. There are a few minor blowdowns, but nothing that impeded the trail too much. We put our snowshoes on about 3/4 of the way up, if only for traction and keeping out of the soft, leg-eating snow on the sides. The lake itself was fabulous, with avalanches tumbling down the rock faces in the distance. We followed a newly made trail that went around the lake and then made the quicker hike back. NOTE OF COMPLAINT: People that do not pick up after their dogs!!!! There's enough crap on the trail to walk around without thoughtless people adding their dog's business to it. Please pick it up!