We picked Heather lake because the weather had precluded a higher hike. We had a party of 9 (church group ages ranging from about 14 to a lady of about 80). The trail starts on an old logging road (foot traffic only) with about 8 cars at the trailhead. There was some snow at the sides of the trail, which gradually changed to a well-packed snow trail. No blow downs, but a little mud in places. This is a scenic trail with some old growth ending at a lake in a bowl. We did find lots of exposed roots and a little water (snow melt) running down the trail. It was still plenty hikeable and would make a great family hike. We were blessed with intermittent clouds and no precipitation. Once we arrived at the lake we found it snow covered where we ate lunch and watched the sun heated snow cascade off the cliffs above the other side of the lake. On the way up I was concerned going down the steep parts of the trail covered with wet snow, but on the return had found the sun had removed most the snow from our tread. I highly recommend this hike for anyone looking for a short (4 miles round trip) moderate (only 1000 foot climb) spring outing.

We had a Mountaineer hike scheduled for Goat Lake this Saturday in May and the forecast called for cold and rainy weather with snow levels at 3,000'. Our first clue that something unusual was happening with the weather was a profusion of downed limbs and small trees along, and even across, the highway just past Granite Falls. By the time we got to Verlot it was snowing pretty good. There we learned that there was at least 7"" of snow on the road at Barlow Pass. There was another Mountaineer hike group already at the Public Service Center and they decided to shift to Lake 22, so I took our group up to Heather Lake. There was plenty of snow on the road to the trailhead and we went up the trail in a steady snowfall. I have seen far less snow on this trail in mid-winter snowshoe trips than we had today. By the time we got to the lake, there was between one and two feet of snow on the ground. The lake was completely covered with slush. We could hear avalanches coming off of Pilchuck. We met a lot of hikers on the way back, who had similarly been re-routed from their planned hikes. Some had planned on doing Pilchuck, but their low-clearance cars had no chance to get to that trailhead. We met one group of British tourists who were muttering something about the surprising springtime weather we have in the USA. It was a good lesson in being prepared for all kinds of weather, because we certainly see all kinds in our beloved Cascades, at any time of the year.

After hiking Lake 22, I decide to make it a two-fer day. Started at 11 AM. There were only three other cars on the trailhead! The very lower portion before the road section is as usual in very good condition and with nothing out of the ordinary to report. The upper portions of the trail are in good shape in general. There are muddy spots that have to be negotiated with care, but hey, this is Western Washington. There are wet areas with roots and rock that can be slippery, but for the most part easily traversed by anyone. At about 1/8 of a mile from the lake, the trail levels off and snow becomes the primary component of the trail. The lake is slushed-over. I threw a slush ball about 35 yards out from the shore and it just sunk. Again, the sky was beautiful, the snow bright, me without sunglasses....Good views of Mt. Pilchuk, and again very few people. On the way down, I saw a few families making their way to the lake. The kids were excited to find out that there was great slush ball snow at the top. One young man of about 7 years of age was especially polite and excited to be hiking, wishing me a Happy Easter and a Good Day. That was the best part of the day for me. No problems with the trail except the inconveniences mentioned before.

The Heather Lake trail is just 2 miles long and gains only 1.000' making it a very pleasant day hike when either time or energy are short. In my case it was energy! Being located on the side of Mt. Pilchuck it is not a long drive to get to the trail head. There was a steady drizzle as the three of us set off up the trail. On the lower portion of the trail are some magnificant old cedar stumps, some of the largest I recall ever seeing. The trail continues to climb entering old-growth forest about half way up. It crosses an overgrown talus slope and several little creeks that were running full. The drizzle seemed to let up for most of our hike up. For the last third of the trail there was snow, patchy at first, then solid and a couple of feet deep. The trail was well defined by packed down foot prints. This trail is pretty accessable all year long and especially beautiful this time of year when the lake is still snowed in and frozen over. The lake is at 2,400' and located below towering cliffs of Mt. Pilchuck. We watched a Dipper near the outlet stream at the edge of the ice. There was a light mist falling as we ate lunch and took pictures. As it was time to head down the trail again, it began to rain. When we reached the trail head the sky opened in a down pour. There were 3 young men in jeens, sweat shirts and sneakers who asked us if there were fish in the lake. They eagerly headed up the trail with fishing poles and tackle boxes. We all agreed we would not want to be in their wet cotton clothes, in this cold pelting rain! We stopped at the Verlot Service Center to use the ""modern"" facilities and I jumped into a dry shirt for the ride home. This lovely lake is one of my favorite early season hikes. Later in the summer it gets too crowded.

I needed a short, close-by hike and Heather Lake was elected. There is no snow on the road to the trailhead or on the first mile of trail. The snow starts in at about the old-growth boundary, and gets to be two feet deep or more at the lake. I left the TH at 1 pm, got to the lake at 3, rested and explored 'til 4:30, and was back at the car at 6. The trail is easy to follow and no special equipment is needed. Road notes: The Mountain Loop Highway is plowed all the way to Barlow Pass, then it appears to be closed. Schweitzer Creek Road is driveable for most vehicles for two miles, up to about 2,000 ft. Perry Creek Road was 1 foot deep at the junction with the Mtn. Loop. (Too deep for my Subaru wagon).