Frog Mountain
5 days ago
Fall color is arriving and peaking
12 this month · 93 reports
Tonga Ridge / Mount Sawyer
Central Cascades
updated 6 days ago
The trail to Mount Sawyer is in good condition with no snow. Fall colors are currently vibrant, making it a popular choice for scenic hikes. The road to the trailhead is generally rough but passable for most vehicles, though some sections may require high clearance or careful navigation due to washouts and ruts. Parking is available along the side of the road, with no dedicated lot. Several reports mention a steep initial section on the cutoff to Mount Sawyer, with some wishing for switchbacks. Obstacles on the trail are minimal, consisting of a few downed trees that are easily navigated. While there were some reports of aggressive wasps earlier in the summer, they have not been mentioned in recent trip reports.
Generated from 48 trip reports. Trails change faster than reports do, so check anything you’d turn around for.
What hikers ask about Tonga Ridge / Mount Sawyer
Generated from the most recent trip reports, newest 6 days ago. Check anything you’d turn around for.
Recent reports from September 17th and 18th indicate that fall colors are out and close to peak, with reds, oranges, and yellows visible. One report from September 5th noted that fall foliage was starting to come out and would be a welcome sight as it became more full.
The road is generally described as rough but passable. However, reports from September 18th and September 4th mention a significant chunk of the road being carved away by a landslide and deep grooves/washed out areas, which may be challenging for low-clearance or wide vehicles. A report from August 31st noted a washout marked with an orange barricade.
Reports from September 19th and September 4th mention minor obstacles like a few downed trees or logs that are easy to get around. The cutoff trail to Mount Sawyer itself is described as steep, narrow, rocky, and slightly overgrown in places.
There is no dedicated parking lot; hikers park along the side of the road. One report from September 18th advises being aware that there is not an easy way to turn around and to maneuver vehicles to point down the road.
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Trail notes generated from recent reports. Conditions change fast.
Sources
Fresh6 days ago
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
What a gorgeous day! We went to Mt. Sawyer summit and round trip, it was a little over6 miles.The incline was intense for me but we took it slow (totally doable). Poles help with the uphill portion (a...
Recent1 week ago
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
Reds, oranges, and yellows oh my! Fall colors are out; maybe not peak, but close.The dirt part of the road is pretty in good condition and most vehicles can handle it. There is a portion about 9 mile...
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
Got up to the summit of Terrace Mountain which has a lot of very cool rugged terraces up near the summit. The views from not only the summit, but along the ascent and descent were just fantastic, and ...
Recent1 week ago
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
This is a favorite fall hike. We had a great day with lovely views from Mt. Sawyer: Mt Daniel and Mt. Hinman to the south, and Glacier Peak and Mt. Baker to the north. I would love some help identify...
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
Absolutely stunning! Fall foliage was much nicer than expected this soon in Sept, but not surprising from the summer we had. Maybe no berries this year because the flowers came here sooner than the po...
Recent2 weeks ago
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
Wow, the views on this trail were much better than expected, and well worth the drive. At the turnoff from US-2, Apple Maps said there was over an hour remaining of driving, which was wildly off; it t...
Recent3 weeks ago
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
Fun hike but heads up on recent road conditions! Google Maps up to the trail head is correct. The road after you get off of HWY2 is a mix of gravel and dirt, and narrows down to a single lane road onc...
Recent3 weeks ago
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
The gravel road was in incredible condition. Rut on the last turnoff, but passable by most cars if you're careful.I arrived at the trailhead at 10am on a Friday, with rain expected at 1pm, and there w...
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
I had to shift to highway 2 hiking today due to bad air quality near Snoqualmie Pass. I ended up hitting the lakes off of Tonga Ridge.The road in is awesome and very smooth for a forest road. In the l...
Older1 month ago
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
Today a friend and I went on a first time hike to Mount Sawyer!The drive in from Hwy 2 was great there were only a couple water run off ruts in the last mile to the TH.Even a sedan type car could make...