Seattle, WA: Heather Lake
Explore 4.4 miles through old growth timber to a glacier-carved lake on this family-friendly hike in the Cascade Mountains.
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Trail Facts
- Distance: 3.5
Waypoints
HLT001
Location: 48.0828018188477, -121.775199890137
Head SW from Heather Lake parking lot
HLT002
Location: 48.0818901062012, -121.777381896973
Challenge: Let kids count the rings on the gigantic Western red cedar stump
HLT003
Location: 48.0824737548828, -121.781776428223
Bear R @ Y with old logging road
HLT004
Location: 48.0816535949707, -121.784225463867
Bear L @ Y with unmaintained trail, keeping SW on main trail
HLT005
Location: 48.080265045166, -121.784591674805
Sharp R, then switchback along Heather Creek
HLT006
Location: 48.0786514282227, -121.785125732422
Ancient Douglas fir looms over trail
ID tip: The “fruit” of a Douglas fir is a smooth tan cone with three distinct, pointy triangular seeds
HLT007
Location: 48.0763664245606, -121.786010742188
Rocky waterfall
HLT008
Location: 48.0705375671387, -121.784461975098
Look S: Boulder field stretches below the craggy peak of Mt. Pilchuck (5,340 ft.)
HLT009
Location: 48.0701332092285, -121.783889770508
Trail veers L around W side of a glacial lake
HLT010
Location: 48.0676956176758, -121.785385131836
Crystal blue waters of Heather Lake (2,450 ft.); eat your sandwiches, then hold a rock-skipping contest before returning back to car
