Trail Log #3: Heather Lake

Sunday we enjoyed a very snowy hike around Heather Lake but overall only small accumulation. Very pleased that we didn't need to use microspikes even though my brother wore a pair of hiking boots that were not waterproof.


The trailhead itself only had about 4 cars when we got there. Seemed reasonable given that it was raining off and on throughout the drive there.

An argument had broken out about what was the most efficient way to get there. I was surprised that google took us to highway 9 on to 92 which leads straight to the trail after a short dirty road turn off. The road was rough, not rocky and even but full of enormous potholes filled with water that were a little bit disconcerting even with our 4 wheel drive Honda CRV.


The trail follows a traverse with switchbacks that works you up steeply towards the basin which the lake is situated. Sometimes we wondered out loud if it was really just a creek posing as a trail as there were long swafts of the hike that a stream seemed to run straight down the trail space.


The trail abutted several extremely large old growth stumps which had been cut down during the first logging of the area, more than 100 years ago. You could even still see where the had cut notches to stand upon while sawing the trees down.

The trail is lovely with big and fascinating trees and brooks that make little cascades and pools. The trail come up at the highest point and then transverses downward to the lake. By this time we had walked up into the snow which had started a dusting on trees and slowly crept further and further along the base of the path until the trail and surroundings  were cover with a light dusting. The position of the lake was somewhat mysterious as the path meandered for a bit and you could see snatches of the peaks that loomed above it, their tops mostly obscured by a settling fog.

Before the end of the trail wrapped its way around each end of the lake, there actually was a sign for a restroom at the top. We chose the pathway leading to the left and took a stop to eat a snack and drink. The trail is a good work out! Though short, it is pretty steep and full of roots and rocks to navigate.

We walked the entirety of the lake around and it was beautiful to see the snow surrounding its glassy surface and the exposed boulder field sitting at the bottom of the peaks. Unfortunately, there was too much fog to see the tops, but the fog also set a mysterious mood. We had heard that there were avalanches in the area so we stayed to the path strictly.

As we marched back down the trail, it started to snow pretty heavily. We saw some hikers pass us on the trail wearing only blue jeans and thin sweaters. Would not recommend as you would get very wet and cold. Once we got back to the parking lot, we saw it was full! Can't imagine what it is like in the summer. AND it was super bowl Sunday.


All in all a lovely trip up to Heather Lake. :)

Trails Log #1: Serene Lake

Jan 20 - Lake Serene

Weekend before last brought a beautiful winter hike up to Serene Lake. Part of our beginning training circuit in the lower Cascade Mountains before the warmth of summer melts the bigger mountains. This year I want to climb some of the bigger scrambles in the high alpines, so we have to start training now.

Was happy that the traffic back up from Monroe was mostly because of Steven’s Pass skiers as the trailhead parking was pretty light. For winter, the trail is still very popular despite being a pretty long and steep (in parts) trail.

The trail passes by some pretty impressive falls at about the halfway point and would be a great lunch spot if it hadn’t been so cold.

As we got higher in the mountains, it was advantageous to have microspikes but not necessary. Most just some remnants of packed snow on the trail itself left from multiple people compacting its surface. The trail is fairly flat hiking up the edge of the hillside and then the middle portion of the trail inclines steeply with the aid of stairs that can be hard on the knees. The switchbacks take you up not completely to the top of the mountain but then curve around the side, traversing along till you see the lake.

Mt. Index is high enough above to collect snowy and rockies views that are pretty spectacular from the lake. Make sure to head all the way to Picnic Rock (even thought it is up a steep little hillside) as the view becomes unobstructed and there is a completely smooth rock that you can sit and gaze upon the mountain from.

Leave early if you can as Highway 2 has a lot of stoplights through small towns like Sultan and Gold Bar making traffic barely a crawl later in the day -- when people visiting eastern washington and skiing come back from the pass.

HIGHWAY 20 pro tips

Excellent breakfast spot that started our day: Sultan Bakery. It will now will be our go-to for Mt. Loop hikes. They sport a breakfast burrito for only $3 and coffee and pastries as far as the eye can see.

There is a Safeway in Monroe on the way out that does have supplies of snacks and protein bars. Yay!

On the way back, we stopped at my favorite drive-in Alpen Village in Sultan. Pretty good post hike meal!