Was the third car to arrive at the trailhead just before 9am on this lovely September Thursday. Road remains rough, but should be passable for any car with care, my Crosstrek had no issues. The cute A-frame pit toilet has a sign up that it is not being stocked or serviced, even so, it was surprisingly clean. Otherwise, the nearby Rockport State Park has facilities, along with miles of lovely forested trails, and makes a good pre- or post- hike pit stop. Trail is in good condition, the very last of the summer flowers are fading fast and fall colors are coming out along the trail. No marmots today, but did spy a pika (and heard many many more!), saw several hawks circling overhead. The clouds were rolling in and out while I was there, limiting the view at the top, though looked like it cleared up for those starting an hour or so later. Happy Hiking! 

The Sauk Mountain Road is getting worse again. A normal sedan can make it through carefully on the main road but that last naughty bit of about 300 yards to the parking lot would not be recommended unless you have a little higher clearance (my CR-V was fine). Today there was work crew clearing brush from the road side.

I checked the box for wildflowers blooming mostly because I was surprised to see paintbrush and mountain harebell still hanging on and looking fresh this late in September. There is also some color coming on from berry bushes and mountain ash. For me it was a perfect day for hiking with temperatures in the high forties and low fifties with a mix blue sky and clouds. Glacier Peak and most of Mount Shuksan were obscured but the Sauk and Skagit Rivers, Sauk Mountain itself, Bald Mountain, Sauk lake and Mount Baker were very clear. Mount Baker is in its prewinter mode with streaks of brown rock and perfectly formed volcanic cone making it look a little menacing.

The trail is in good condition except for where stupid, disrespectful *#%^!" people have made shortcuts between switchbacks. A few years ago my hiking partner lost their footing on sloped trail on loose gravel and ended on the trail below, scratched up but okay. There are some lingering patches of snow on the hillside going down to the lake. I met about fifteen other hikers on the trail but they were quite spread out and some didn't make to the top.

The old standby alpine style outhouse is still there but not stocked.

It was foggy the entire time I was here. I was hoping the sky would clear but nope, not today. This caused me to focus more on the vegetation and animals that could see. The hillsides are packed solid with plants and flowers that are displaying muted fall colors. If it had been sunny the colors of the plants would have been entirely different. Lots of birds seen mostly foraging seeds. I saw several marmots and pikas. No views at the top nor could I see the lake. I descended toward the lake but I gave up when it became clear that the fog was not going to lift. 

The fog and lack of wind provided a sense of calmness in the air. Very few people on the trail. The erosion on parts of the trail is getting worse and needs trail stabilization soon. 

Despite my disappointment in the lack of views, the trip was still enjoyable as being outside is far more fun. And it was nice to see such lovely fall colors in the plants aligning the trail.

The road is doable for almost any car except for maybe the very end slope leading up to the main parking lot, we were totally fine in our Crosstrek. Most major potholes are avoidable if you're going slow and paying attention. We got to the trailhead around 8:30am, there were maybe 3 other cars in the lot. Saw two groups on our way up who had been camping down by the lake the night before, but didn't encounter anyone else during the ascent and had all viewpoints to ourselves. Would highly recommend getting here early on sunny days--if the sun hasn't risen much, the entire ascent is shaded by the mountain which makes the lack of tree cover a lot less noticeable. 

A few wildflowers still hanging on, and lots of ripe thimbleberries but most are justtt out of reach for the average person :') This hike was suprisingly relaxed for the payoff! Or maybe I'm just finally in hiking shape again as the peak season winds down, but either way this has quickly shot to the top of my list--incredible views everywhere you look for the entire duration. We saw a very loud marmot near the summit, and tons of birds and butterflies all throughout; this would be a good one to bring binoculars. Gorgeous view of Baker at the top.

Lots of families and dogs rolling through by the time we were most of the way back down, around 10:30 or 11am. Parking lot was full by the time we left and there were a handful of cars parked along the road as well. 

I backpacked to Sauk Lake with my teen son from Saturday to Sunday and had a great time! (We didn't go to the peak)

The dirt road has some very deep ruts/potholes in places but I didn't think it was too bad - took us a half hour to drive it in a minivan.  Got to the trailhead around 10:30am and the lot was pretty full - a few cars could have fit behind me on the parking loop.

Don't underestimate the difficulty of this hike!  It was hot this weekend, the trail is almost all in the sun, and non-stop uphill to the ridge.  A short ways in you can look up the mountain and see the dozens of switchbacks in store for you!  It's fairly narrow and exposed to boot.

On the flip side, you get fantastic views for the entire hike ... Glacier Peak, Mount Baker, Skagit River Valley, gorgeous mountain valleys and lakes!  It was more effort than I thought it was going to be but worth it.

Had lunch on the ridge near the fork in the trail in a grove of trees that had a flat area to camp.  The trail from the fork down to the lake is definitely less traveled.  A little overgrown - your legs sweep through the grass and brush in places but it's never hard to follow.

Got to the lake around 2pm.  There were two other groups camping there - one in the trees up a little hill near the creek and one across the lake.  Aside from the campsites in the trees, there wasn't much shade around the lake until the sun fell behind the mountain around 5:30pm.  No pit toilet and not a great place near the lake for hammocks either - bummer.

Had a very enjoyable afternoon and evening.  Lost my pocketknife somewhere along the trail in the brush on the north side of the creek if you're up for a treasure hunt! :)  Several people tried fishing throughout our stay but I only saw one catch.  Stars were stunning with no moon or clouds that night.

Hiked out the following day starting at 10am, getting back to the car around 1:30pm.  Fewer cars in the lot than the previous day.