Sweet little hike!

Went with my pup up here last week~ we usually jog trails but we weren't able to so much with this one.. There are an abundance of jutted rocks and barren roots, you've gotta watch where you step! At the time we went, there was snow in the last quarter mile- easily passable, but note-worthy due to some high steps. It was an incredible day, absolutely beautiful up at the lake! There were two small-in-diameter trees down in the trail within the first half mile, but that was it. The most amazing part was how large some of the cedar trunks were! Highly recommend for a small hike on a warm day.

The road to the trailhead is free of snow now but there are some significant potholes so be aware. The toilet is open and actually had TP today!

We enjoyed a very soggy hike (rained from car to car) but our gear was perfect for the day and we were comfortable. The trail is very wet with a lot of running water/snowmelt. There was no significant snow until the lake so we didn't need microspikes or snowshoes. I suspect that if you want to circumnavigate the lake there will probably be post-holing but we didn't go there.

After the hike we drove further up the road to check out the Pilchuck trail head. We were able to drive 3.9 miles from Heather Lake TH before hitting slushy snow (that we didn't want to get stuck in) so we almost made it. Won't be long before it's open all the way.

First hike ina  while, got me back into hiking. increase of elevation gain and many switchbacks, easy hike over all. snows cover everything half way up in early spring or late winter. 

Beautiful Sunday hike. We parked the Prius on the road with one other car around 9:15 am, there were five or six cars that made it to the lot. The trail up was watery and muddy at times, and once the snow started, our spikes helped a lot. We took about 1.5 hrs up, the lake is beautiful. A coupla other small groups were there but we all had plenty of space and solice. We took a lap around the lake, surprisingly it wasn’t too bad. Spikes for sure, we had snowshoes but never put them on. Outside of the bootpath, much of the snow was crusty enough to walk on. We each postholed a coupla times, it was slippery and slushy at times, but doable. We passed a few sneaker-clad parties on the way down who I would guess either wouldn’t make it to the lake, or would only get there but not be able to go around it. And I’m sure they’d have a tough time coming back down in the snow. It can be dangerous without traction. Anyhow, with a good break at the lake we were back at the car by 2 pm. The toilet at the trailhead is disgusting. Other than that, a perfect day!

Us: three gals ages 44-55, avid hikers.

Hike on!!

A bright and beautiful morning is a great time to visit Heather Lake. 

The road is an icy mess starting about 1/2 mile from the TH.  Most cars will be able to get within 1/4 mile of the TH, which is where we parked.

The trail is wet until 2,200' where the snow begins.  The snow is frozen and packed on the trail, but post holes are easy to come by if you step off the edge of the packed snow.  Even then, beware of hollow areas beneath the snow.  Spikes should be used for the second half of the hike.  We took snowshoes, but did not use them.

My buddy and I were first to arrive at the lake this morning.  We were followed by 21 other hikers, none of whom had spikes.  We met Tuan and Sheila from Everett.  They wanted to hike Mt. Pilchuck, but did not know that the road is closed.