Heather Lake Hike

Details
This is our first hike as a group, and I picked an approachable one on purpose. If it goes well, there'll be more.

The hike
Heather Lake sits in a basin on the north face of Mount Pilchuck, about an hour northeast of Lynnwood. The trail climbs steadily through second-growth forest and giant old cedar stumps, opens into real old growth, then levels off at the lake. There's a loop trail around the shore where we'll stop, eat, and turn around. November is a quiet, mossy, atmospheric time to be up there.
It's 4.6 miles round trip with about 1,100 feet of elevation gain, roughly three hours on trail. We go at a moderate, unhurried pace, regroup at junctions, and the slowest hiker sets the speed. Nobody gets left behind and nobody gets rushed.

Before you RSVP — please read
This is a moderate hike on a trail that is rocky, rooty, and usually wet. Please sign up only if you're confident you can complete it comfortably.
You are responsible for your own safety on this hike. Signing up for this event is an acknowledgement that you are participating voluntarily, that you have assessed your own fitness, experience, and equipment against the conditions described here, and that you are responsible for your own wellbeing and decisions on the trail.
We're a social club, not a guided outfit. Nobody here is acting as a trained leader, medical responder, or guide. There's no cell service past Granite Falls.
Not sure this one's right for you? Message me before you RSVP and we'll talk it through.

Schedule

8:00 AM — Meet at Ash Way, sort out cars
8:15 AM — Depart, we leave on time
9:30 AM — On the trail
11:00 AM — At the lake
12:45 PM — Back at the trailhead
1:15 PM — Optional lunch in Granite Falls
2:00 PM — Back at Ash Way

Plan on this taking most of your Saturday.

Carpooling
We drive up as a group. Meet at Ash Way, we sort passengers into cars there, and convoy to the trailhead. There's no cell service up there and the lot is small, so arriving together means nobody's sitting alone in a parking lot wondering if they're in the right place.
When you RSVP, say in the comments whether you can drive and how many seats you have, or whether you need a ride. We'll sort it beforehand so we're not negotiating at 8 AM.
Riding with someone? Pitch in $10, please. That covers your share of gas and the driver's parking pass.
Driving yourself straight to the trailhead is fine, just tell us ahead of time so we're not holding the convoy.
Lunch after (optional)
Playa Bonita at 206 E Stanley St in Granite Falls, right on the way home. Big, warm, cheap, and used to hikers coming through. Entirely optional — head home from the trailhead if you'd rather. For anyone who's in, this is the part where you actually get to talk to people.

What to bring

Two or more liters of water
Lunch or real snacks, since we eat at the lake
Footwear with proper tread, waterproof if you have it — running shoes will have you sliding
A rain shell, waterproof rather than water-resistant
Layers: cold at the trailhead, warm climbing, cold again at the lake
A dry pair of socks in your pack, the best-value item on this list
Hat and gloves, since the lake is at 2,450 feet

Also worth having: trekking poles, a headlamp, a small first-aid kit, offline maps downloaded, and a plastic bag for muddy boots.
Leave the cotton at home, especially jeans. It soaks, stays wet, and makes you cold.
Short a piece of gear? Say so in the comments, someone probably has a spare.

Weather
We hike in light rain. It's November in the Pacific Northwest, and waiting for a clear Saturday means never going.
We cancel for inclement conditions: sustained heavy rain, snow or ice at the trailhead, high wind, or a winter weather advisory. I'll post a weather update Friday evening and a final go or no-go by 7:00 AM Saturday. Check before you leave the house.

Good to know

Leashed dogs are welcome on the trail. Mention yours in the comments so drivers know, and if we have dogs in our group and decide to stop for lunch, we can find a pet friendly spot.
The hike itself is free. Drivers need a Northwest Forest Pass, $5 for the day or $30 annual — we'll sort it before Saturday, as the Verlot station has limited winter hours. Riders, $10 to your driver.
Ten spots, and a +1 counts as one of them, so RSVP for both of you.
There's a pit toilet at the trailhead and nothing else. No water, no food, no trash cans, so let's plan to pack it out.
Coming solo is normal here, and most of the group will be.
If your plans change, please un-RSVP. Someone's on the waitlist, and your driver needs to know.

See you at Ash Way.
— Vik