Did loop counterclockwise. Snow still sticking around the packwood glacier. Scramble to old snowy was challenging.

Road to Snowgrass TH

Mostly washboard and I was able to make it there in Prius without any issues.

Snowgrass TH to Bypass trail #97

Mostly covered under trees and stream flowing next to you makes it calm and enjoyable. Many downed trees in this section mostly on bypass trail.

Bypass Trail to Cispus Pass

This is one of the best section of the trail all the way to Cispus basin, could have avoided going all the way to the pass as views are best in basin. No Mt Adams view from the pass. 

Cispus Pass to Snowgrass flats PCT

Trail drops down and then starts climbing after bottoming. Bunch of water sources. Tons of backpackers making their way to flats to camp.

Snowgrass PCT intersection to Packwood glacier

No snow before glacier. Views of Mount Adams keeps on getting better.  At lower section of the trail there was poop smell probably due to absence of toilets in campground which motivates you to walk faster. There are tons of wildflowers on this section of the trail. Carpets after carpets of different colors filled with paintbrushes, columbines, Lupines and so many other wildflowers.  

Packwood glacier to Old Snowy

Went to Summit Old snowy, lots of route finding needed. Very windy. Somewhat exposed class 3 scramble. There is one section where I had to use all 4 limbs to climb down.

Old Snowy to Elk Pass

This section via PCT alternate took much longer than expected due to the loose rocks and ridge walk. There is lot of exposure on both side of the ridge and be careful of not launching rocks on the west side as PCT is right below this. Did not reach Elk pass as I had hit my turn around time.

PCT back to Packwood Glacier

This was hardest section for the day for me which was apparently on PCT. Small loose rocks and snow covers most of this section. I took much longer to cross this section. I had ice axe which was helpful in snow but I was worried about my footing the whole time.

Packwood glacier to Goat lake

This link between the PCT and Lily basin trail is not maintained and you keep on losing the trail. Route finding ability is needed if using this short cut. Many streams to fill water from once on Lily Basin trail. Marmots were whistling and were alarmed with presence of dogs in their vicinity.

Goat Lake to Jorden Creek Basin

Lots of campers near the lake. Enough opportunity to fill water. Spent time exploring the area around the lake and headed to goat ridge. There is enough snow still left on the lake and around the lake. Lots of wildflowers once you leave the lake area and head towards hawkeye point.

Jordan Creek Basin to Berry Patch via Goat ridge trail

Many downed trees, lots of rocks and roots, there is only one source of water after leaving the jordan creek basin campground. Many people camping in this basin and people were still coming up around 8pm. Once at Berry Patch went I walked on road to snowgrass trailhead. 

Stats: 23 miles and 5800 feet of elevation gain/loss. 

Did a 3 night backpack. Started at Snowgrass flat TH and headed to Old Snowy mountain. Found a spot at the base of Snowy, set up camp and then Headed to the top of Old Snowy. There is only one snow field to cross and that is prior to the base. Not hard to do. Soft snow. The peak was not very hard, but a bit of scramble at the top. 
Next day we hiked Knife’s edge to Elk’s pass and back. Great views and not scary. Some exposure, not bad at all. After we returned, we packed and headed to Cispus. Spend the night prior to the pass, close to the river. Beautiful, but mosquitoville. From tgere we headed to Goat lake via Lilian trail. Gat there at noon, dipped in the frozen lake. So cold! Set up camp above the lake and headed up to Hawkeye point without a pack. Splendid views from up there. Goat lake did not have many mosquitoes. It was windy and that kept them away. Next day hiked to parking via Lilian trail. 
Great adventure with tins of flowers. Just stunning. The higher we were, the less mosquitoes. But wind. One or the other.

Old Snowy and Ives Peak traverse via Snowgrass TH / PCT

3 volcanoes on a clear day. Wildflowers. Bugs. Goat Lake 80% snow covered. Snow on PCT doable without microspikes.

Boot path up Old Snowy on stable rocks. Scramble after that, but I think you should see at least the Arch before turning back (by descending towards Snowgrass Flat directly to cut some time).

If you choose to proceed towards Ives...

Extremely loose screes compared to Black Peak (N Cascades) / Sacajawea (OR). The risk of natural rockfall was low. Just avoid traveling in someone's fall line and wear helmets.

Otherwise there are cliffs on the east side, and gendarmes at the center. The one at 46.50602° N, 121.45193° W is C4, I tried, gave up, and went around on screes instead.

At the bottom of Ives summit, a bit stemming to gain the southern upper slope, while other betas suggest using the ledge further south.

I descended towards Cispus and shifted towards Snowgrass at 46.49281° N, 121.44995° W, on rocky terrain (good ones) followed by alpine tarns, meadows before joining back on PCT.

Long day, 12h car to car, most out of 2.5L water. You could fill up before booting up Old Snowy from PCT. Very buggy unless there's wind.

Bugs were vicious and plenty! We could not stop for a break without getting inundated with the bugs,!!

Trail is in good condition with some snow patches higher up. I recommend micro-spikes and at least poles - depending how far you go. Near goat lake there are a few snow fields to cross . Be careful, there is water running under the snow and plenty of places that are thin and you will break through.

Loads of bear grass and lilies. 

Hiked into the junction of Lily Basin and Snowgrass trail. A few spots of snow on the trail, some navigation required. Good camp spot snow free at this junction. The next morning we set off for old snowy, all snow travel but very manageable with traction. We left the snow gear at the juntion with PCT at the col and easily made our way to the summit of old snowy. From there we traversed over to goat lake. This was all snow travel, with some high consequence areas, crampons and ice axe advised. The lake is completely still frozen over and surrounded by snow. We think we noticed a bear den (the only tracks near it were bear! Hiked back down the Lily Basin trail to the junction and again set up camp there. Easy hike out. 

There is still alot of snow up there and we heard of a SAR call last week, be cautious.