Heather Park — Sunday, Jun. 19, 2022

Two of us hiked all the way to the saddle at about 5620' elevation. The trail was free of snow until 100 yards below the first lower campsite at 5250' elevation. The snow was mostly compacted and soft. No microspikes were needed. But I recommend low gaiters and hiking poles with baskets to get up the snowy slope from the lower campsite area to the saddle.

To give a little more detail, those who are familiar with the trail will know about the rock outcropping on the left side of the trail at 4480' where on a clear day, this is the first overlook where you can look down on Port Angeles. The trail is clear from here all the way through the switchbacks through the Summer wildflower garden and past the rock ledge. The snow begins shortly after the rock ledge. 

The lowest tent site is melted out. But the two tent sites a little further higher to the left of the trail still have at least a foot of snow on them. The stream by the lowest tent site is mostly snow covered, but there are open patches where one can get water if needed. The slope heading up from the campsites still has several feet of snow. If you are unfamiliar with this slope, you may be able to follow boot tracks. But there are multiple boot tracks. Someone has put up red tape to mark the Summer trail which is helpful. The snow thins out as you break through the trees nearing the saddle. The saddle itself is bare dirt.

The trail down the south side of the saddle leading toward Klahhane Ridge is free of snow for a couple hundred feet. But looking toward Mount Angeles, it looks like there are still steep snow slopes crossing the trail as you approach the pass that gets you into Ennis Creek Basin. So anyone thinking of doing the Lake Angeles/Heather Park loop should be prepared for some more serious snow crossings or maybe even to turn around if you get in over your head.