Tonga Ridge / Mount Sawyer
Snowfields to cross and icy sections
9 this month · 68 reports
Central Cascades
The trail to Scorpion Mountain via Johnson Ridge is currently experiencing intermittent snow, particularly at higher elevations, with October 31 noting snow starting at the trailhead and becoming solid after about a mile. While the trail itself is reported in good condition with good traction for the most part, gear like microspikes are recommended for the snowier sections. The road to the trailhead remains rough in places, with deep ruts noted on October 31 and a suggestion to proceed slowly, though sedans have managed the drive as of October 18. Fall colors are still visible as of October 18, though past their peak. Parking at the trailhead is limited, with space for only 5-10 cars, but has not been an issue for recent visitors on weekends.
Generated from 25 trip reports. Trails change faster than reports do, so check anything you’d turn around for.
Generated from the most recent trip reports, newest 1 week ago. Check anything you’d turn around for.
Snow begins at the trailhead and becomes intermittent, with solid snow reported after about a mile as of October 31. Gear like microspikes are recommended for traction in these snowy sections.
The road is rough, with deep ruts noted in the last section before the trailhead as of October 31. While capable vehicles can navigate it, drivers are advised to proceed slowly through difficult areas.
The primary obstacle reported is intermittent snow at higher elevations, requiring appropriate gear. One report from August 18 mentioned a single log across the trail, which posed few problems.
The trailhead parking area is small, with room for approximately 5-10 vehicles. Recent reports suggest this has not been an issue on weekends, with only a few other vehicles present at October 18 and October 31.
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
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 has lost many stairs to landslides
4 this month · 203 reports
Trail notes generated from recent reports. Conditions change fast.
The road was in pretty decent shape until the last section that has pretty deep ruts, but I would not want to drive up here in the snow as it is quite narrow in places. When I arrived on Saturday even...
Man! Just a glorious hike.Drive: The forest road is in really good shape with just a handful of spots that have some large potholes and one rutted area that you need to take slow. Our Outback did just...
First car at 8:45am. One trail runner passed us a bit before getting to Scorpion mountain. There were 8 additional cars at the trailhead when we got back.The trail is in great condition. As reported b...
This trail should be renamed the "Joan Lake Trail". Joan Lake is a beautiful gem and is a more impressive feature of this hike than Scorpion Mountain, which is more of a bump on the end of a ridge. Th...
Went out to try and pick some huckleberries and just barely found the last of the season. None along the ridge or Sunrise or Scorpion mountains, which was surprising! I found a few bushes still bearin...
Out on Tuesday. Left Seattle at 7, arrived trailhead at 9.As noted, the Beckler River road is not closed. It's down to one lane at one culvert. That's it.The road to the trailhead is not bad. In a...
Road was fully open for our trip today. The gravel road up is long, but out sedan was perfectly capable of getting up it. We saw only 4 other people on the trail. Trail is in good condition, but the d...
If you're reading this looking for a hike to do in this area, I have to say I think there are better hikes around now. Frog Mountain is a similar amount of driving and has better views. Evergreen Moun...
Quick afternoon hike given my late (4pm!) start. Steep at times, but a quiet, shorter hike with guaranteed views of peaks. Only two other cars at the trailhead.Road: Contrary to the WTA banner, FS65 i...
I will not bury the lead: like others have mentioned, there are parts of this trail that areSTUPENDOUSLY STEEP. I pulled out my phone and in certain sections it said the slope was over75 degrees!Road ...