Washington Hikes with Lakes: Don’t Miss Heather Lake
If you’re looking for a short but rewarding hike with lush forest vibes, giant trees, and a peaceful alpine lake at the end, Heather Lake is an awesome choice. Tucked into the slopes of Mount Pilchuck off the Mountain Loop Highway, this 4.7-mile round-trip trail delivers a little bit of everything: waterfalls, wildflowers, old-growth trees, and a lake with serious PNW charm.
This trail is a pretty easy to moderate hike with around 1,089 feet of elevation gain. Although short in miles and elevation gain, this trail has a lot of rocks and roots that make it where you really have to watch your step. This hike is absolutely stunning and so worth it—especially if you go early or midweek to avoid the crowds.
Heather Lake Quick Trail Facts
Trail Length: Approximately 4.7 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: Ascend just over 1,089 feet along the route
High Point: 2,430 feet
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Kid Friendly: Yes, for older kids with trail experience
Best Season: May through October
Trail Type: Out-and-Back Trail (optional loop around lake adds ~0.8 miles)
Hike Type: Day Hike
Parking Pass Required: Access with either a Northwest Forest Pass or America the Beautiful Pass
Dog-Friendly: Leashed dogs welcome on the trail
Trailhead: North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
Trail: Heather Lake
Trail Number: #701
Maximum Party Size: 12
Region: Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Darrington Ranger District
SEASONAL ROAD CLOSURE NOTICE: Forest Service Road 42 (Pilchuck Access Road) is rough and may be affected by seasonal closures or conditions. For updates, visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/mbs/alerts-notices
Heather Lake Trailhead Parking
The parking lot at the Heather Lake trailhead is fairly large, but like many popular hikes in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, it can still fill up on busy summer weekends. That said, it’s often less crowded than nearby Lake 22, making it a great backup plan if your first choice is packed.
In fact, that’s exactly what happened to us—the Lake 22 lot was already full, so we pivoted and headed to Heather Lake instead. We were able to easily find a spot, and still enjoyed a beautiful alpine lake hike with forest views, wooden bridges, and boardwalks through lush terrain.
If you're heading out later in the morning or on a weekend, Heather Lake makes a solid alternative without sacrificing scenery or adventure.
Parking Pass Required
To park at the Heather Lake trailhead, you’ll need to display either a Northwest Forest Pass, an America the Beautiful Pass, or a Day Use Pass.
If you don’t have an annual pass, you can purchase a day-use pass online ahead of time and print it out at home—just make sure to display it clearly on your dashboard before hitting the trail.
Are There Toilets at Heather Lake?
Yes, there is a vault toilet available at the Heather Lake Trailhead. While it’s a great convenience before or after your hike, keep in mind that there are no restrooms along the trail itself, so be sure to plan ahead. As with any backcountry experience, it’s a good idea to pack out all trash and follow Leave No Trace principles to help keep the area clean for everyone.
Hiking To Heather Lake
The trail kicks off just left of the large gravel parking lot and gets right to work with a steady climb through mossy forest and old stumps with notched-out sides (you’ll spot the old logging cuts if you look closely). These are from back in the logging days, and some of the stumps now nurse new trees, which is always cool to see.
Not gonna lie—the trail gets rocky and rooty fast. You’ll hit a short stretch on an old logging road before the climb picks up again, and this is where the “fun” begins: slick rocks, mud puddles, and little streamlets trickling down the path if there’s been recent rain. But take your time—it’s not long, and the forest is beautiful.
About halfway up, you’ll come across a random clearing and a big photo-worthy tree stump with gnarly roots (you’ll know it when you see it—everyone stops here for pics).
As you make your way up the Heather Lake trail, you’ll come across several small wooden walkway bridges. Some of these bridges are showing their age and are in fairly rough shape. The boards can be uneven or partially broken in places, so it’s important to watch your step—especially after it’s rained. Wet weather can make these surfaces extra slick, so take your time crossing and consider using trekking poles for added stability.
As you hike through the forest, you’ll pass several old-growth giants that somehow survived the logging era that cleared much of the surrounding area long ago. Their wide trunks and towering height make them hard to miss—and worth pausing for.
From there, the trail is the roughest for a short stretch—think eroded tread, water, and lots of roots.
As you continue along the trail, you’ll pass through a marshy field just before the final push to the lake. Depending on the time of year, this section can be full of seasonal surprises. In the spring and early summer, keep an eye out for bright yellow skunk cabbage lining the soggy meadows. When we hiked in June, the skunk cabbage was in full bloom—surprisingly late compared to the lowlands, where it usually appears much earlier in the season.
Right after the marshy meadow, there’s a large fallen tree blocking the trail—but thanks to trail maintenance crews, a step has been cut into the trunk to help you climb over safely.
Not long after the fallen tree, you’ll find yourself on the final stretch to Heather Lake. The trail starts to level out a bit, and you might catch glimpses of the surrounding peaks through the trees—just a little farther to go before the big reveal!
Arriving at Heather Lake
Just before you reach the lake, the trail forks. Go either way—both lead around the lake and reconnect, making for a short loop (about 0.8 extra miles). You will also begin to hike on a wooden boardwalk.
I usually take the trail to the right first. I feel like some of the view spots from here are the best, capturing the lake with Mount Pilchuck Towering above it. If you only have time to see one side of the lake I recomend checking out some of the viewpoints on the right hand side. They give that epic postcard worthy shot.
Ideally you will take the time to walk the entire loop around the lake. The views are truly spectacular. The trail hugs the lakeshore and passes some great spots to sit for lunch or a snack. Keep your eyes peeled for wildflowers, jagged moutain peaks, and reflection photo ops.
If you go right, you’ll cross several boardwalks and hit the sunnier side of the lake with some larger rocks to sprawl out on for a longer break. Either direction is great. But I do think the best views are on the Right if you are not up for circling the entire lake.
The meadow filled with large boulders and views of Mount Pilchuck is truly stunning.
The trail loops around the lake, giving stunning views the entire way. In the Summer, you might even find ripe berries on this hike—yum!
Check The Weather Before You Hike Heather Lake
Before heading out on your hike to Heather Lake, it’s important to check the weather forecast—especially since this trail lies within the rugged terrain of the North Cascades' Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, where conditions can change quickly. While the trail is a popular year-round destination, rainy weather, lingering snow, and muddy or icy trail sections can catch hikers off guard.
Even if it looks sunny at home, mountain weather is unpredictable. Sudden shifts can impact trail safety, visibility, and your overall hiking experience. Knowing the forecast helps you dress appropriately, pack smart, and avoid surprises on the trail.
Tips for a Great Hike
-
Go early: This trail is popular, especially on sunny weekends. Aim for a midweek morning or arrive before 9am if you want some solitude at the lake.
-
Wear good shoes: The trail is super rooty and rocky in places. Waterproof boots are your best friend here.
-
Pack layers: Weather can be chilly at the lake even if it’s warm at the trailhead.
-
Bring snacks: There are several perfect spots around the lake to stop for a picnic.
-
Expect mud: Even in summer, there are soggy sections—boardwalks help, but gaiters or extra socks might come in handy.
Information Center:
For additional information on the Heather Lake Trail, you can contact the
Darrington Ranger District 360-436-1155
Verlot Public Service Center 360-691-7791
Darrington Ranger District – Darrington Office
1405 Emens Avenue North, Darrington, WA 98241
Verlot Public Service Center
33515 Mountain Loop Highway, Granite Falls, WA 98252
Trailhead Coordinates:
48.0703, -121.7824
Getting To Heather Lake
Heather Lake is off the Mountain Loop Highway, about an hour and a half from Seattle. The last 1.4 miles to the trailhead are on a very potholed road (Forest Road 42)—take it slow and drive something with decent clearance if you can.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the directions:
-
From I-5, take Exit 194 to US 2 E / WA-204 E toward Lake Stevens.
-
Follow signs to Highway 9, then connect to Highway 92 toward Granite Falls.
-
Pass through or bypass Granite Falls (either works).
-
After about 10 miles on Mountain Loop Highway, pass the Verlot Ranger Station.
-
Turn right just after the bridge onto FR 42 (Pilchuck Access Road).
-
Drive 1.4 bumpy miles to the signed trailhead. Large lot on the right, overflow on the left.
🏕️ Permits to Backpack & Camp at Heather Lake
🎒 Backpacking & Overnight Camping
-
Permits: The Heather Lake area is not part of a restricted wilderness permit system like the Enchantments. It’s within the Mt. Baker–Snoqualmie National Forest, so no pre‑arranged overnight permits are needed. Camping is generally allowed—first-come, first-served—outside of designated fee areas
- Campsites: Opportunities for camping are limited around Heather Lake’s small and fragile basin. Use only established picnic or camp sites to help preserve the landscape. There is a backcountry box toilet near the lake
⚠️ Important Tips & Etiquette
-
Trail closure note: The trail sometimes closes for maintenance—check for alerts before visiting, especially in spring and early summer
- Group size limits: While not actively enforced at Heather Lake, the broader forest guideline usually caps group sizes to about 12 for backcountry areas
- Wildlife precautions: Store food securely, use bear-resistant containers if possible, and camp only in established areas to reduce ecological impact
✅ Quick Summary Table
| Overnight Permit Required | ❌ Not required—camping allowed on a first‑come, first‑served basis |
| Available Campsites | Very limited around Heather Lake—use established spots only |
| Dispersed Camping Allowed | ✅ Yes—≥100 ft from water, use existing sites, follow LNT rules |
| Trailhead Parking Permit | ✅ Northwest Forest Pass or America the Beautiful |
| Group Size Limit | Typically ≤12 people per National Forest policy |
| Bear & Food Storage Guidelines | Use bear-resistant containers or vehicle storage; pack out all trash |
🧭 Want Our GPX Track?
Planning your own hike to Heather Lake? We’ve got you covered!
Click the link below to view or download our GPX track on Gaia GPS and follow the exact route we took:
👉 View Our Heather Lake GPX Track on Gaia GPS
You can open it in the Gaia GPS app or export it to your own GPS device or favorite hiking app. Happy trails!
Final Thoughts
Heather Lake is a go-to hike for a reason. It’s accessible, scenic, and packs a lot of beauty into just five miles. Sure, the trail’s a little scrappy in places, but once you make it to the lake, you’ll forget all about the muddy boots and root-hopping. Totally worth it.
Have you done the Heather Lake trail? Let me know in the comments—did you go clockwise or counterclockwise around the lake?
📍 Save this post for your next North Cascades hike and don’t forget your trail pass!
Happy hiking! 🥾🌲
Want To Fill Your Life With Adventure?
Join our newsletter for an adrenaline-fueled journey! Receive exclusive updates on travel tips, gear reviews, epic hikes, captivating stories, and inspiration to turn your dreams into reality.
Don't just dream it, live it! Get Out There!
Thanks for subscribing! Please check your email for further instructions.
