New to Backcountry. Good low angle spots off i90?

Source lake. (check avalanche danger.)

Paradise at Mt. Rainier probably has the most and best beginner touring terrain. The best access from the car and tons of inspiration.

What's the parking situation at hyak? Is it a pay lot or do you need a snowpark permit and NWFP?

Free parking

I think the closest parking, behind the mid-parking lot berm, may be reserved for residents only. Otherwise, have at it, and park so that the benevolent snowplow overlords can plow.

What's the parking situation at hyak?  Is it a pay lot or do you need a snowpark permit and NWFP? 

To clarify there are several parking areas around "Hyak" -- to park for free you want to park in the "Summit East" ski area lot

The areas circled in green on the attached image show the approximate locations. On busier weekend mornings there are sometimes attendants that will direct you. You don't need to buy a lift ticket or nordic trail pass to use the lot.

Well that likely weakens the "good for the dog in deep snow" premise for Margaret then. Thanks for the news - hadn't realized that bridge is out.

H'mm with the bridge over rocky run out, folks should use the "bypass trail".

As you head south from the Gold Creek Sno Park (about a hundred yards south of the turn around). Look to your left as you enters clearcut, there is an old logging road climbing away. Follow it, after completing the second ziag zag take spur to the right, which ends in a little bit at a loading platform. Poke around at the North end of the platform looking for sawn branches, follow the sawn branches through the Christmas tree 🎄 farm generally paralleling Rocky Run, avoid getting too close to the creek the first 1/2 mile as slopes are very steep near the creek. Emerge from the farm near the upper bridge over rocky run. It's been about four years since the "bypass trail" last had any saw work, so maybe bring a saw to trim back some of the branches. My dad first took me this way back when the clear cut was fresh.