John Guilford's Hikes

Date: 2014-04-12

Location: Heather Lake

People: (including myself): Jim Guilford

			  	Alt.	Miles
Trailhead:		12:40	1380	0
Heather Lake:		1:45	2395	2.4
Turn around:		2:15	2400	2.8
Leave Lake:		2:30	2395	3
Trailhead:		4:30	1380	5.2

The Pilchuck road was in pretty decent shape.  It was closed just past the Heather Lake trailhead.  With the nice weather (relatively warm and dry) and our late start, we found the parking area for the trailhead pretty full.  We had to pull off the side of the road just before the trailhead to find room. 

I expected the trail to be muddier than it was.  I was surprised how good of shape the trail was in despite the rainy spring and the great deal of traffic I'm sure the trail gets.  There were several small stream crossings along the trail, but we had waterproof boots so we didn't have to worry about rock hopping across trying to keep our feet dry. 

We hit snow shortly before the lake.  It was packed down by traffic and easy to walk on.  The lake was about 3/4 snow covered.  Patches of the trail around the lake had melted out, but most of the terrain was still under snow. 

It had been cloudy on the hike up, but the sun broke through the clouds about the time we got to the lake.  It was time to put on sun glasses, especially with the glare off the snow. 

We went around the left side of the lake about 1/4 of the way before having a snack, taking some pictures, and heading back down. 

Jim at Heather Lake. 

John

View from the left side of Heather Lake looking back towards the outflow. 

Trailside cascade.