Went out on the Angry Mountain route to the jct with Lily Basin Trail over this last weekend. Trail was solid and primarily dirt with some downed tree sections on the way out for the first 4-5 miles or so. After that you get onto some snow, 4-10' deep depending on the section and following the trail becomes next to impossible so don't go out without a GPS(and the trail saved with tons of battery) or solid land nav skills. A combination of the two was the only saving grace for us to actually complete the out and back. The real "fun" begins at about 4.5 miles in though once you are on the snow. Warm weather following a heavy, snowy, wet winter leaves that last 4 miles to the jct with enough steep slopes, constant snow travel and degrading conditions to where we needed to kick steps almost the entire way and required a trek pole and ice axe to travel safely (spikes on our shoes were REQUIRED, no question). If you aren't comfortable on ice, reading avvy danger, and/or unprepared for a 10x effort to cover that last 4 miles rather opposed to just hiking it, go somewhere else. The Goatrocks are DEEP with snow still. That said, being a climber myself and having a lot of those skills in my toolbelt, with my ice axe, trekking pole, spikes, and shoes with a solid edge, I felt it was an awesome snow/ice excursion that led to no people for two days, a great workout, and INCREDIBLE views. You have to earn them though. 

This trail has been fantastically maintained. The result is a lovely, if not challenging, path into the Goat Rocks Wilderness. I planned a single night trip to Heart Lake and figured the Angry Mountain Trail #90 would be a great way to avoid the crowds. The trailhead is easy to get to and parking along the road is plentiful. Once on the trail you are greeted with switchbacks. So many switchbacks. The trail climbs over 2300 feet before a slight downhill which is followed by another climb of 1000 feet. At times I thought I had lost the trail, but I just imagined where the next torturous switchback would be and that would put me right back on it. The spring at 4600 ft was flowing (even in Sept.), but that was the only water I saw before reaching Heart lake. There was no snow anywhere and this time of year only a few huckleberries left on the bushes. The trail terminates at a junction with the Lilly Basin Trail #86 which led me down to Heart lake for a quiet evening.

A great trail to experience some solace and test your switchback climbing abilities.

This is undoubtedly a trail for the adventurer, if you make it so.  My friend and I had intended to start out at the Lily Basin trail but due to a gate blocking road access we opted for the intriguing "Angry Mountain" trail.  Our intention was to hike to Hart lake and camp, and find a second camp spot along the Lily Basin trail. We did not foresee the journey ahead of us.

The Angry Mountain trailhead gives no grace from the very beginning, with a series of steep switchbacks through the dense forest.  We started off at around 3pm after trying to find a map with mileage. We checked online, REI, Next Adventure, and then as a last resort the Ranger Station in Randle which was closed but had a helpful sign about an online map called "Avenza Maps," which we used to purchase a Gifford Pinchot map and track our entire trip. Regardless, we should of known better and started earlier.

Throughout the afternoon, we found ourselves climbing through fields of wildflowers in full bloom and those dense smells of green life that are rich and infectious.  As we made it to the 6' elevation mark, the sun begun cascading over the horizon and for about three minutes the beautiful Alpine glow surrendered over the mountains.

At this point, it was 8:30pm or so and we were on top of the mountain ridge with very narrow trails looking over a sharp edge on both sides.  Our option was 1) to camp out cowboy style or 2) to hike along a narrow trail on the edge of the mountain with unstable ground with our headlamps.  

So, we found a little patch of spruce trees on top of the mountain ridge and wrapped some rope around our sleeping bags to feel some sense of security that we would not roll down the majestic cliffs.  Once we felt stable enough we laid back and saw the moon's glow, faintly in the distance, while the Milky Way enrobed the sky.  It felt like a dream.

In the morning, we decided to hike back out and spend an evening in Packwood, given that we had not arrived successfully at a water source.  It took us a little longer to go down as my friend had recently had surgery and the steepness was hard on her knee. 

We probably could have continued the path and found more spectacular views but were looking for something a little more relaxing to close the weekend off with.  For future backpackers, we highly recommend:

- Start early

- Pack light, and prioritize water 

- Use hiking poles (especially for the steep slopes coming down)

- Use lightweight pants as much of the vegetation is overgrown on the trail

- Use the Avanza Maps app (particularly because how easy it is to pull up rather than a large physical map)

Would not recommend this for dogs unless they're in good hiking shape and have excellent recall.

Overall, an incredible trail if you're well prepared.  We're still dreaming about it.

Two of us backpacked the Lily Basin Trail staying at the first site with water access at 5.1 miles.  No water prior to this point.  The trail is in great shape.  

The big "if" is if your vehicle can get over the very deep washout on the road to the TH.  It took our Subaru many attempts before finally getting up and over the large angled steep slice in the road.  A prior trip report has a good picture.  When we came out Saturday, all vehicles at the TH were 4x4s.  

The campsite at 5.1 miles is a horse site but because of the road no trailers have made it up this year - the camp had lots of old horse dung.  We also did a bit of cleaning due to messy prior campers.  

Our goal for the next day was Hawkeye Point.  We walked across one snow bridge that was 2' thick so no worries but it is melting fast in the heat.  Then we did a bit of trail finding on snow fields and snow bridges up to the cut off to the Point.  I used micro spikes in the morning but boot kicked in the afternoon.  Poles are recommended.  

Between the 5.1 mile campsite and the Hawkeye Point cut off there is Heart Lake with a large single campsite.  Very buggy but beautiful.  The cutoff to the lake is unmarked and before you see the lake.  No rivers run into the lake but several are nearby.  The next campsites are located on high overlooks with no water access other than snow fields.  

There is a steep snow patch on the Hawkeye Point trail.  You can glissade down or head to the left and angle kick the less steep section and walk up the snow on the other side.  Then its dirt the rest of the way up.  Extraordinary views of Rainier, Adams, Snowgrass Flats, Goat Lake, and Jordan Basin.  We were fortunate in that we noticed a way down the Hawkeye Point snow field to our trail and did not have to go all the way back to the cutoff and across the steeply angled fields.  We walked over several creeks under the snow fields and did a lot of probing with poles.  Post holed once so be careful.  

LOTS of bugs so bring bug clothes.  

I just hiked angry mountain to Jordan creek and it was to say the less very dangerous. about 5 miles up you loose the trail completely the snow gets really intense at about 5k ft. i only was able to make it all the way because i had the Gaia GPS APP. after a few too many times getting lost i got to the basin (10mi in) a mi from hawk-eye point.I  almost died from a river almost taking me with it under the snow. most of my whole body was under the snow shoot of death. camped shortly after that. it was still heavy snow until Jordan creek trail. Trail was hard to navigate until you get to the creek. you can't pass the bridge to Jordan creek. It seems like instead of fixing the bridge they blocked it instead. then i walked the road back to angry mountain. it was 22 miles total. All in all an incredible hike i'd never do again. please do not attempt this hike right now, i should have turned back doing it was foolish and i'm lucky i didn't die. It's more of a sep-aug hike if you want to be safe.