Long Lake [Suggest Edits]

Snowy, Mostly Dry, Some Mud, Icy, Fallen Trees - Cascade Creek Trail is mostly clear. There's some runoff on the trail (1" deep) in parts that're easily negotiable with careful footwork and a few downed trees. Crater Lake trail gets a bit messier. the farther away portion of bridge is washed out, so if you have poles, waterproof footwear, and an agile step, you can keep dry crossing. Water height does fluctuate through the day with snowmelt. Past the river crossing, there are stretches of snowpack that can be dicey with post holing (will you go 6" or 3'???) that's firmer in the mornings. Once you hit the big rock stretch near the top, you'll lose the trail in a snowfield. People have creatively finished the trail at Monarch Lake, but it does require waterproof shoes, gators would be ideal, there will be post holing, and there are patches of mud. We didn't bring snowshoes but they may have been helpful. Be aware, if you are camping at the top, only 3-4 sites are dry. Mirror Lake is much more accessible than Crater Lake at this point.

Muddy, Snowy - If you don't mind having wet feet for a good portion of the day, then maybe. Miles 4-6 and 10-12 had the most snow. It definitely complicates route finding. Even though I've done the route before, I was glad to have it on my watch. I went up the cornice at the continental divide (I brought spikes and only used them there). My buddy went further right (facing the cornice) and mostly avoided it. That would be my suggestion and save the weight of the spikes for the 1 minute you'll use them. mileage from Hessie trailhead