Heather Park and Mount Angeles via Lake Angeles Trail

The hike to Heather Park and Mount Angeles on Lake Angeles Trail is no small task. If you plan to complete this hike in a day, prepare accordingly with lots of water, food, good boots, and poles.

You can hike this loop either way so here’s what to consider with either option: the western side of the loop has some poor trail, with slippery portions, landslides, collapsed sections, very steep climbs, and little maintenance done. However, the views coming around east to Lake Angeles are fantastic. Going counterclockwise, you hit the highlight of Lake Angeles early on and then can decide whether to continue to Mount Angeles and beyond depending on the conditions. If you are intent on the full loop, perhaps go counterclockwise. If you’re not sure you want to hike all of it, go clockwise.

Going clockwise, begin by staying left from the trailhead to hike along the Ennis Creek valley before climbing the opposite valley wall and dropping into the next valley east. You’ll switchback to get next to the ridge and follow this to Lake Angeles.

From the lake, hike up to the ridge again and then loop southwest towards Mount Angeles. To climb the mountain, you’ll stay left at the junction and lose elevation over the course of a set of switchbacks and then traverse across to the summit approach trail. From here, backtrack to the main trail and head north.

This is where things get dicey. The trail around Second Top and First Top and beyond to Halfway Rock isn’t very good. Take your time, especially as you descend the switchbacks that lead you from Halfway Rock to the trailhead.