Angels Staircase Loop Trail is a 21.9 mile lightly trafficked loop trail located near Carlton, Washington that features a lake and is rated as difficult. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from June until September.
The trail is definitely not moderate, the elevation gains are constant and the switchbacks are brutal at the highest peaks. There are no signs at crater creek trailhead that show you the way to the trail nor is the angel staircase on the trailhead board. The signs on the trail are all over the place and some of them are missing. There is a large amount of shade in most places and several creeks to get water from if you run out. A prior hiker stated the hike was 12 hours but if you take the right first for the loop it will be about 13-15 hours of you want to have long breaks. Beautiful views though throughout hike.