Central Cascades - Blewett Pass
Ingalls Lake (9.2 Miles)

Central Cascades - Stevens Pass - East
Lake Janus (6.3 Miles)
Lake Valhalla (6 Miles)

Central Cascades - Stevens Pass - West
Boulder Lake (8.2 Miles)
Tonga Ridge (6.0 Miles)

Issaquah Alps - Cougar Mountain

Issaquah Alps - Tiger Mountain

Mt. Rainier - Carbon River / Mowich
Paul Peak (9.4 miles)
Spray Park (8 Miles)

Mt. Rainier - Longmire / Paradise
Snow Lake (2.2 mi)

Mt. Rainier - Sunrise / White River
Grand Park (13.6 Miles)

North Cascades - Baker Lake
Railroad Grade (6.0 Miles)
Scott Paul Loop (7.5 Miles)

North Cascades - Mountain Loop Highway
Heather Lake (4 Miles)
Lake Twenty-Two (4.8 Miles)
Mt. Dickerman (8.7 Miles)
Mt. Pilchuck (6 Miles)

North Cascades - Mt. Baker Hwy
High Pass (6.8 Miles)
Ptarmigan Ridge (7.6 Miles)
Skyline Divide (8.4 Miles)

North Cascades - North Cascades Hwy
Blue Lake (4.4 miles)
Cutthroat Pass (10 Miles)
Easy Pass (7.2 Miles)
Heather/Maple Pass (6.5 Miles)
Hidden Lake (9 Miles)

Olympics
Deer Park Trail (15.2 Miles)
Grand Valley (8.4 Miles)
Whiskey Bend Loop (6.7 Miles)

Olympics - Coast
Cape Alava Loop (9.2 Miles)
Cape Flattery (1 Mile)

Olympics - South

Puget Sound and Islands

Snoqualmie Pass - North Bend Area
Mt. Si (8 Miles)
US Forest Service
US National Park Service
Heather Lake
Area:
North Cascades - Mountain Loop Highway
Permit Required:
Trailhead Elevation:
1325 ft.
Difficulty:
Somewhat Strenuous
Elevation Gain:
1135 ft.
Trail Type:
Hike
Distance Round Trip :
4 Miles
Trailhead Latitude:
48.082740
Peak Season:
March through October
Longitude:
-121.774220

Dogs Allowed

Conditions
Trail
Water
Other
Part of the trail is boardwalk
Trail is well maintained
Unimproved water crossings


Experience

Close-in Hike For The Family

This is a nice little hike for the kids and dog.  The trailhead is only 2 miles from the Verlot Public Service area so it is reasonably close to the north Seattle metro area.

The wooded trail is accessible from March through October.  You may encounter snow on the trail as late as June so be prepared with appropriate equipment. 

Heather Lake is the main attraction to this hike.  There is a trail all the way around the lake so you will have no problem finding an area for a picnic and a snooze while the kids and dog are finding things to entertain themselves.

   
Heather Lake from the north east side. Boardwalk around the lake.
   
The south end of the lake. Looking at the lake from the east.


Nearest Town: Granite Falls, WA.


Weather Forecasts | Weather Maps | Weather Radar

Driving Directions:

Drive 11.8 miles east of Granite Falls on Mountain Loop Highway (or 1 mile southeast from the Verlot Public Service Center). Turn right onto Monte Cristo Grade Road / NF-4201, immediately (275 ft.) take the left fork and drive 1.3 miles on Mt. Pilchuck Rd. / NF-4220 to the Heather Lake Trailhead parking lot.
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Trail inf0 contributed by: Mr. Trail
Added on: 2007-05-28 17:48:49


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