Tonga Ridge / Mount Sawyer
Snowfields to cross and icy sections
9 this month · 68 reports
Central Cascades
The Deception Creek trail is mostly clear of obstacles, with downed trees noted as minor issues that have been recently addressed as of October 18. The primary challenge remains the out bridge, requiring hikers to ford or rock hop across the creek. The creek crossing is generally described as manageable, though potentially wet and with slick rocks, especially near the former bridge site, as reported on October 18. Snow is not a concern, with the trail being snow-free throughout the reporting period. Road access to the trailhead is good, suitable for all vehicles according to multiple reports from October 18 and September 26. Crowds appear minimal, with most hikers reporting a quiet experience.
Generated from 15 trip reports. Trails change faster than reports do, so check anything you’d turn around for.
Generated from the most recent trip reports, newest 3 weeks ago. Check anything you’d turn around for.
No trip reports on this trail in 3 weeks, so everything below is at least that old.
The bridge over Deception Creek is out and has been for some time. Hikers have reported needing to ford or rock hop across the creek as of October 18. The crossing is generally described as wet with slick rocks, but manageable.
Road access to the Deception Creek trailhead is reported as good and suitable for all vehicles. This was confirmed in reports from October 18, September 26, and August 3.
Beyond the creek crossing, blowdowns are generally minor and have been recently cleared or are easily navigated, according to a report from October 18. Earlier reports from July 25 also mentioned a handful of blowdowns after the second creek crossing that were not difficult to get around.
The Deception Creek trail is generally reported as very quiet and uncrowded. Multiple reports, including one from October 18, mention not seeing other people until reaching the river crossing on the way back, or experiencing solitude along the trail.
Snowfields to cross and icy sections
9 this month · 68 reports
Bees near the upper falls, watch out
6 this month · 166 reports
Fall colors are peaking, enjoy a unique view
6 this month · 77 reports
Trail has lost many stairs to landslides
5 this month · 203 reports
Lake level is very low, revealing extensive shoreline
5 this month · 114 reports
Lingering fall color, tunnels to explore
5 this month · 57 reports
Trail notes generated from recent reports. Conditions change fast.
Beautiful and quiet hike with my husband and our two dogs. The river crossing wasn’t terrible- but there were slick rocks (see photos). Once we got past the river, we didn’t see another person until w...
Didn't realize the bridge was out, but we were able to find a (wet but shallow) crossing a short ways below the broken bridge where there river splits. Quiet trail, no other cars at the trailhead.We c...
Yes, the bridge is out however, it’s quite easy to rock hop across the creek just a little bit before the bridge… Which is how I discovered a couple of cool camping spots. Or wade across, which is kne...
Overnight from Deception Creek Trailhead to Deception Lakes, clocked 9.7 miles and 3700' gain (800' loss) on the GPS. The short road to the trailhead had a few small potholes, but no problems for my f...
Day trip to Surprise Mountain via Tonga Ridge RoadDrive:*There is currently one berm that requires higher clearance, ideally shorter wheel base to clear it on Tonga. (Past the cutoff for Tonga ridge ...
About 0.4 miles in the bridge is out and no plausible detour exists. Up until then it was a pleasant walk through old growth forest with everything covered in moss.
Just under 1-mi in, the bridge is still washed out at the creek crossing. Downstream, it appears people are walking across downed trees which span the water, but we chose not to cross / felt it was to...
Popped by here real quick on my way to Lake Serene. Parking lot is closed so just parked on the side of the highway real quick so I could snap a couple quick photos. Hopefully parking lot will be open...
The trail to the old log bridge is mostly just as it was before our December’24 flooding with a few minor washout areas. A few trees across the trail pose no problems. Unfortunately, the bridge was de...
My wife and I did a three-day loop, starting up Deception Creek, continuing up to Deception Lakes, and down past Glacier and Surprise Lakes. JMoney24's September 5, 2025 trip report states the follow...