Mirror Lake’s elevation is 10,400 feet, so there’s hardly any suggestion of “summer” until July in this part of Utah. Even then, those temperatures are temporary. The timing is good, because July and August typically are the only months when the weather ever becomes uncomfortably hot in the Salt Lake Valley. That’s when Mirror Lake becomes especially attractive for a day’s visit or an overnight camping trip, with temperatures about 30 degrees cooler.
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The water itself often perfectly reflects the surrounding scenery. It is named Mirror Lake, after all.
The 1.-4 mile loop around the lake features a boardwalk in only some sections, but the dirt trail is smooth and the elevation gain is merely 39 feet, making the loop enjoyable for families with young children.
The Evergreen State is full of trails that are safe and beautiful to hike (almost) all year long. Granite Falls is a tiny town in Snohomish County that’s a great jumping-off point for the tranquil, hidden Heather Lake Trail. And this is the perfect time of year to enjoy some peace and quiet here.
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The Heather Lake Trail is located on the northeastern slope of Mount Pilchuck, near Mount Pilchuck State Park.
To reach it, you’ll take Highway 92 through Granite Falls and turn left on the Mountain Loop. You’ll need a Northwest Forest Pass for the hike, which you can get at the Verlot Ranger Station. The road to the trailhead is full of potholes, so keep that in mind.
The Heather Lake Trail is a 4.6-mile out-and-back hike, and it’s ranked as moderate.