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Heather Lake Trail is an absolute gem of a hiking experience that packs a punch similar to the Lake 22 Trail but offers a distinctly different ambiance. If you're up for a challenging trek through lush woodlands, this trail is a must-visit.
First things first, if you've conquered Lake 22, you'll find Heather Lake to be a familiar challenge. It boasts the same level of difficulty, with steep sections that will get your heart pounding and your legs working. So, be prepared to break a sweat, but rest assured, the rewards are worth it.
One of the standout features of Heather Lake Trail is its dense, enchanting forest cover. You'll feel like you're walking through a fairytale forest the entire way, which not only adds a unique beauty to the hike but also provides ample shade, making it an excellent choice even on hot days.
The trail leads you to the serene Heather Lake, nestled among towering trees and surrounded by impressive rock formations. It's a picturesque spot to rest, have a snack, and soak in the natural beauty. The lake is peaceful, reflecting the surrounding greenery like a mirror.
So, if you're looking for a challenging hike that's heavily wooded and offers a refreshing change from the typical mountain trails, Heather Lake Trail is the way to go. It's a hike that will leave you breathless in more ways than one, and you'll be rewarded with the tranquility of Heather...
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It was a weekend, and wanted to check this out with my very experienced hiker friend. I would say it's easy enough for someone in decent shape. About 1100 feet in elevation and 5.5 miles roundtrip. It got busier as the day went on. When you finally make it to the parking lot, assuming your car doesn't get leveled inside a ditch (I mean, a pothole - maybe a good deterrent for excess people haha), there was ample parking and even the restroom facilities were open. I recommend getting there early AM (8 or so to avoid crowds since the end is just breathtaking in the covered snow).
Lots of small rocks and roots, and because the snow was melting rapidly towards the bottom of the trail, it was WET. So many hikers with water resistant boots were soaked. I actually wore Sorel waterproof natural rubber winter boots. Not my ideal hiking boots, but for all the almost waterfalls we went thru and water deep to our knees, I was dry!
Next time, I would bring my poles, as I'd like to be steadier on the way back down. Most folks were masked or polite and letting people by while giving ample space to get around them without facing each other due to COVID. The end is absolutely picturesque and breathtaking with the snow capped PNW trees. It really looked...
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Nice hike which I've done a few times now. About 2 miles each way, perhaps 2.5 hours round trip. The trail is moderately steep, with a few short sections that require scrabbling up rocks or climbing over giant fallen trees. It's a bit hard on the ankles because so much time is spent walking across uneven rock and riprap. You'll see people of all ages and many dogs.
The lake at the top is gorgeous and worth the climb.
Today (May 12), the trail was quite wet with a few mudpits. The last 1/2 mile was somewhat snowy, but it was shallow snow. Earlier in the season, the end of the trail is often quite snowpacked.
The road in has mostly been repaired, you can definitely handle it in any vehicle. However, I recommend keeping your speed under 20 because there are about a dozen giant potholes that can definitely damage your car, and they are sorta hard to see if you're going 30.
Bathrooms available at trailhead and were in decent condition. I arrived around 8:15 on a Sunday and the parking lot was already almost full. Parking on the road is an option but...
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