Heather Lake Hike near the Mountain Loop Highway

[Terry]

Heather Lake Hike is located off the Mountain Loop Highway, not too from from Granite Falls. The trail head is the same road as for Mt Pilchuck lookout. It's 2 miles to the lake and a gain of about 1,000. If you walk around the lake, that adds a mile. It's a beautiful spot to enjoy nature. I do recommend bring hiking poles, as the trail is covered with exposed roots leading up to the lake. Watch where you place your feet.

Our first view of the lake.

Looking back from the far side of the lake.

There are high peaks around the lake. You can see evidence of a recent avalanche, with rocks and broken and bent trees. Some of the huge rocks surround the lake, and some have tumbled to the other side.

Photo taken in 2012. This snow was not there a year later.

Wonderful in the sunlight.

Heather Lake

http://www.bfro.net/gdb/show_report.asp?id=37307

 

[Terry]

This area was logged off some time ago. Look at the size of that stump. And several trees growing over the top of the stump, roots reaching over the stump toward the ground.

A little shade here. Last year I went swimming. This year I bailed on that idea.

Swimming in 2012

A nice boardwalk on the far side.