WTA lists separate hikes for Heather Park and Lake Angeles, but they can be hiked as loop if you connect them by hiking across Klahhane Ridge. It is a strenuous hike with a sketchy section (more on this later). But for experienced hikers, it can be a rewarding hike.
The hike profile is 12.3 miles round trip with approximately 4,650 feet gain/loss.
The route can be hiked in either direction. There are pros and cons to each direction. Hiking up Heather Park and down Lake Angeles could provide a swim opportunity later in the day between July and September. The sketchiest section is the section between the saddle above Heather Park and the pass on the ridgeline between Mount Angeles and Second Top. There are some sections where the trail passes through steep slopes with loose dirt and gravel and also some sections along narrow ledges. If you want to take in the view in this area, I recommend stopping before looking. Otherwise, focus on trail. If you hike the route in the clockwise direction (up the Lake Angeles trail and across Klannane Ridge), you hit this section and you aren't comfortable with the exposure, you can bail out by backtracking to Klannane Ridge and existing down the Switchback Trail. Personally, I find this sketchy section to be the most rewarding because it feels remote and the wildflowers can be dense. Because this section is less frequented by hikers, it also less maintained by park staff and volunteers. Don't be surprised if there are downed trees or washouts.
Note: Route finding on the section between Heather Park and Klahhane Ridge will be a real challenge if there is snow on the trail. I strongly recommend only doing this if you have hiked the trail when it is snow-free AND if you have a GPS track log from a previous hike.
On this trip, we hiked in the counterclockwise direction (up Heather Park, down Lake Angeles). Visually, I like hiking down the Lake Angeles Trail over the Heather Park trail. But the downside is that the section between Klahhane Ridge and Lake Angeles has places with unavoidable small gravel on the trail that can act like ball bearings so it is easy find yourself sliding while going downhill.
We did not encounter another hiker until we got to Klahhane Ridge.
The wildflowers were still quite abundant between Heather Park and along Klahhane Ridge. I think I saw more Olympic Bellflower than in another other recent year. Also seen: Columbia Lilly, Columbine, Sitka Valerian, Edible Thistle, Broadleaf Lupine, Pacific Stonecrop, Silverleaf Phacelia, Silky Phacelia, Elephant Head Lousewort, Bracted Lousewort, Sickletop Lousewort, Jacob's Ladder, Western Starflower, Harsh Paintbrush, Olympic Paintbrush, Pacific Anemone, Heartleaf Arnica, Parry's Catchfly, multiple varieties of cinqfoil, multiple colors of heather, Pale Agosaris, Orange Agosaris, Elmera, Partridgefoot, Olympic fleabane, Olympic onion, American Bistort, White Flower Rhododendron, White Rein Orchid (Heather Park), Oregon Sunshine. The Spreading Phlox, Douglasia and Avalanche Lillies have all wilted. If you are hiking up Heather Park, you will encounter your first wildflower garden in the switchbacks before entering the campsites.
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