First and most important:   Three of us found the milage posted on WTA to be wrong.  We all had about 6.5 miles round trip.  We decided on this hike for fall colors. Haven't been on it for years, and were pleased to find the approximately 12 miles forest service roads in excellent condition. Two other cars in the small parking lot when we arrived about 10am.  A few patches of snow leftover from this week's earlier snow. 

It was a clear, sunny day and the mountains were all out in all their glory.  However, expected slopes covered in brilliant fall foliage a disappointment.  Most had already lost their leaves after summer/fall drought.    A few ripe/overripe berries left to nibble, but not worth the effort.  We did put on snow spikes about 150' below the summit for snow and ice packed north-facing, dangerously narrow trail.  Still, a very satisfying fall hike with good company, warm sun and 360 views.  

It was a beautiful fall day and several groups were taking advantage of the trail before the snow really hits. The trail is mostly snow free until you reach the summit where you get a great view of Glacier Peak. It was very helpful to have poles and one group was happy to have microspikes. We decided to hike down the south side of the peak where there is a trail down after crossing some rocks and leads you to the open area where you view Glacier Peak. I would have been happier to go up that way. Views were spectacular from the summit and a bonus was the huckleberries still there in the meadows.

Enjoyed a lovely outing to Tonga Ridge / Mt Sawyer. Saw only 5 people. There was some mild to moderate wildfire smoke - which was bothering me for the first part of the hike, but it mostly dissipated. Hazy views to the south. Views to the north (after reaching the saddle on Mt Sawyer trail) were super! Glacier Peak and Mt Baker visible.

Lots of ripe berries on the slopes of Mt Sawyer (but no bears!) Mushrooms are popping up here and there.

It would be great if WTA could do a trail work party on the Mt Sawyer trail. The first part is quite steep - it just needs to be re-routed a bit. The last portion is narrow and very brushy. (But the middle part is great!) Recommend wearing long sleeves and long pants to prevent brush burn-rash.

Garbage patrol: I was delighted that the trail was nearly clear of trash. I did remove some candy wrappers and one "TP flower" (but only one was found!), but otherwise it was remarkably clean. The parking area was another matter - a good sized bag of trash was collected.

This hike was a great way to ease into fall!

There was a lot of smoke in the air when we got to the trailhead but it seemed clearer once we were amidst the trees. Trail is in great shape, gentle until it is not! The last 0.75 miles is the real deal - for elevation as well as color and berries! Giant, juicy, delicious blueberries litter the whole way up the hill. The skies were hazy at the summit but we could make out some peaks though the big ones were masked by the haze.We spotted Daniel, Hinman, Summit Chief, Chimney Rock and a few others to the south.

There is no water along the trail, though most of it is cloaked in shade which helped on a warm day. Carve out extra time for berry eating if you hit this trail in the next several days!

TL;DR: The dog and I decided not to finish the ridge hike in favor of gorging ourselves on huckleberries on Mount Sawyer. Someone saw a bear on the way in! Tiny parking lot that was almost full at 8:15am when I showed up. Clocked just barely over 6 miles to Mount Sawyer, around the top a bit, and back to the trailhead.

Long Version:
Are you comfortable navigating a few places with potholes (mostly around the bend in the switchbacks) and a little bit of a raised middle of the road due to it settling on the sides from water? Then you and your Ford Focus could make it! Otherwise, higher clearance vehicles recommended. I showed up at 8:15am and there were 5 other cars, and when I returned at 11:30am it was full and cars were parking down the road. The parking lot is little more than a wide area at the dead end of a forest service road that can comfortably fit 5-6 cars. After that, it's just parking along the road.

The trail itself was in great shape, though brushy in some spots on the way up to Mount Sawyer. I'm glad I had my map out because like a hidden driveway, I didn't see the trail off to the left until I was almost past it! I did not see the sign high up in the trees as mentioned in another trip report, but once found, it's easy to follow (for reference, my family frequently wonders how I get anywhere). It's narrow and brushy until it opens up to the huckleberry field, where it's exposed and warm in the sunshine and the views really open up! Unfortunately there wasn't one place on top with 360 views, but there are multiple little paths that all lead to different lookout spots so you still get views from all angles! Annoying flies at the top but it seemed like I was the only one being pestered. Very dusty in some places.