Heart Lake Trail #171

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Commonly Backpacked · Fall Colors · Fishing · Lake · River/Creek · Swimming · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Trail conditions vary greatly but overall the trail is well maintained. There are quite a few rocky sections, as well as some muddy sections close to the stream.

The hike to Heart Lake primarily takes place in a beautiful forest alongside a stream. As you gradually gain elevation over the 3+ mile trek, you are rewarded with grand views of the mountainside and eventually the breathtaking basin that Heart Lake resides in.
The drive to the trailhead is also quite beautiful as you weave your way up the Trout Creek drainage. The trailhead has quite a bit of parking available but can fill up quickly even in the off seasons due to the popularity of this trail. The trail is open for non-motorized use and definitely is well loved by quite a few different recreation groups. As you hike up from the trailhead, you'll enter a dense forest that is filled with the noise of squirrels, songbirds, and the stream that flows down the valley. While the hike is mostly a gradual elevation gain, there are plenty of rocks, stream crossings on log bridges, and muddy areas to make the trail a bit more technical. When I hiked this trail, we passed a mountain biker who had broken her ankle on the way down so please use caution when on the trail. As you get closer to Heart Lake, the trail gets a bit steeper but the switchbacks make it quite manageable. Once you get to the basin where Heart Lake lies, it is a short hike down to the lakeside and the views are incredible. At Heart Lake you'll find campsites, good fishing, more trail options for those who wish to continue, and even a toilet(see photos). In the basin and alongside the trail, it is quite common to see wildlife like squirrels and mountain goats so keep your eyes peeled. In addition to this, bears roam the area so bring your bear spray and hike in a group when possible. Once you have taken in the views, you can return the way you came or head further onto Pearl lake or the ridge that overlooks Heart lake.

Wildflowers, great fall colors and abundant wildlife including squirrels, bears, deer, mountain goats and many others.