By Holly Weiler
Cover photo courtesy of Holly Weiler
- Heart Lake is among the most popular hikes within the Proposed Great Burn Wilderness. Make the most of a trip here by continuing past Heart Lake to Pearl Lake, then continuing up to the Idaho/Montana Stateline Trail #738. Once on the ridge, hike north to a connector trail that returns to Heart Lake, making a loop of approximately 10.5 miles. It’s a doable day hike or a great overnight trip, with options to extend it into a backpack trip that includes nearby lakes like Dalton Lake, Trio Lakes, or Leo Lake.
- The Hoodoo Pass Trailhead just west of Heart Lake is an excellent jumping off point for an out-and-back ridge hike on the Stateline Trail, limited only by how many days one might have to spend exploring. When the weather is clear, the views go on for miles, and there are numerous lakes just a short side trip off the main trail that offer access to water plus good camp spots. Good destinations for an out-and-back backpack would be either Goose Lake at the 6.4-mile mark, or Fish Lake at the 16-mile mark (each way). For a shorter route to Fish Lake, start at Fish Lake Trail #419 south of Hoodoo Pass for a roundtrip hike of approximately 10.8 miles.
- Clearwater Crossing is another major trail hub into the heart of the Proposed Great Burn Wilderness. The Siamese Lakes Loop offers a fantastic one- to two-night backpack option. Hike it clockwise up trail 101 to Foley Basin, then trail 114 to Lower Siamese Lakes and several nice campsites. Continue up to Chilcoot Pass, then descend via Straight Creek Trail #99 for a loop of just over 21 miles.
- Mud Lake has multiple access options, but Clearwater Crossing is among the best starting place for this hike. Just as for Siamese Lakes, start on trail 101, then turn off to the south on Indian Creek Trail 121. Be sure to watch for the unnamed waterfall along this lovely forested trail as it ascends toward the stateline. Mud Lake is aptly named; it’s pretty for the reflection photo opportunities, but less appealing for swimming. Nearby Cedar Log Lakes is another option. Descend via Indian Ridge Trail 104 and complete the lollipop loop on trail 101 back to Clearwater Crossing for a route of 20.5 miles.
Holly Weiler is the Eastern Washington Regional Coordinator for Washington Trails Association and the Trailhead columnist for Out There.
