Heather Lake 6-9-19

AppleWatch Stats:  5.2 miles RT (this includes walking all the way around the lake as well), 1209 ft of elevation gain.

I wanted to take the dogs with me today, so I chose a shorter hike with a bit of elevation for a decent workout.  Heather Lake is beautiful and I was hoping there would be wildflowers around it as well.  I got there early and there were no more than 10 cars in the lot.  As the recent WTA trip reports indicated, the potholes on the way to the trailhead were pretty gnarly.

Not far into the trail and I was glad the pups were on leash.  I heard some squeaking and started looking around and there were several newly fledged baby wrens of some type hopping around clumsily in the undergrowth.  They were tiny and cute and looked a little grumpy.

The trail up was pretty peaceful and I enjoyed familiar landmarks, like the large old growth stumps along the start of the trail, and the garden tree that is growing huckleberries and a small tree on its burls.

It was also quite muddy in places and Cedar and Luna were pretty grungy by the end of the hike.

The lake was also peaceful and sunny.  No snow remains around the lake, so you can walk all the way around.

Cedar, Luna and I enjoyed some trail snacks on top of a boulder overlooking the lake.  It was really relaxing and the temperature was perfect. Even Luna didn't seem to be in a hurry to leave.

The cliffs above the lake are still cascading with waterfalls from the snow melting higher up though.  It's so beautiful!

The wildflowers were just starting, and I heard frogs singing and pikas squeaking.  I glimpsed one, but couldn't get a photo of it.

Happy trails!

Goat Lake 06-02-19

AppleWatch Stats:  11.16 miles RT, 1767 ft of elevation gain.

What a beautiful sunny day to hike to a beautiful lake.  Apparently everyone else thought so too, and when I arrived at 8:30am the parking lot was already overflowing.  I was pretty surprised.

I really love this trail.  It can be done in like a loop, as the Upper and Lower Elliot Trails diverge shortly after the trail starts, and then rejoin a couple miles before the lake.  I like to go on Upper and return on Lower.  The Upper trail is a wider flatter trail, with groves of aspens and peek-a-boo views of the crags across the valley now and then.  The Lower trail is a narrow twisty undulating trail through the woods.  You can't go wrong with either.  Here and there you can see sections of boardwalk type planking from when this was a "paved" (with wood) road to a town and a hotel.

There are also numerous waterfalls along the trail. The biggest ones you have to leave the trail a very short distance for, but they are oh so worth it!

Today there were flowers everywhere.  The trillium were done and the bleeding hearts looked tired, but still - color everywhere.

bunchberry dogwood

beadruby

queen's cup

columbine

coral root

The lake itself, although many people were there, seemed quiet and peaceful.  Swallows were skimming the water's surface and water skeeters were skittering on top of it.  It was pretty idyllic.

I was joined by a friendly chipmunk for lunch.  No, I would never feed wildlife.  Looks like he just so happened to pack a mini PB&J too hehe.  In fact it was a nice day for a lot of small wildlife - although I didn't get a photo of all of them.

banana slug

yellow warbler

Get out into nature and soak it all in!

Heather Lake 08-18-2018

Although I had a few exciting new longer hikes in mind, I begrudgingly chose Heather Lake today for a variety of reasons.  Why do I always underrate this hike?  It is lovely and diverse, and if you go early enough to beat the crowds it is peaceful as well.

I am loving having an Apple Watch now, as I can check my distances and elevation.  It had me at exactly 2 miles from the parking lot to where the trail diverges to go around the lake, and about a mile around the lake, for a nice total (for my short legged dogs) of 5 miles and an elevation gain of just under 1300 ft.  I don't always watch it so closely, but I was curious, and it sure came in handy when people were asking me on my way down, "how far to the lake? How much farther? Am I almost there?"  haha

The lake itself is just lovely ringed by high craggy cliffs and there was still a little tiny snow pack at the far side that the dogs had fun digging and rolling on.

I was super stoked to hear a nice chorus of pikas all around the lake, but didn't see a single one, sneaky little things.  What I did see was a marmot!  I was sure surprised.  I don't recall seeing marmots here before.  I pointed it out to a couple other hikers who seemed pretty pleased to see it.  The marmot, as is typical, couldn't be bothered with its admirers as it soaked up the morning sun.

Although there are some late summer signs on the way up - berries on the devil's club, bunchberry dogwoods are at the berry stage, and blue huckleberries ripening at the top, there were also still a nice assortment of lovely wildflowers! 

Next time I need to choose a nearer, shorter hike and find myself "forced" to choose Heather Lake I'm going to remember how worthy it is. 

Happy Trails!