About 5 hours moving time/7 hours with lunch, cold plunge, and berry picking.

5 cars at the TH when we started a bit after 9am. 4 different cars when we returned. A few overnighters packing out on our way in, but not that many people. Most we saw were at the lake stop.

For the turn-off to Sawyer there is a wooden sign high up on a tree at the junction. Good local mountain views, too smoky to see Rainier, Baker, etc.

For the lake junction, it's right of three trails, and then shortly after a left at a T. I assume right just goes to a camping spot in the berry meadow. There are a couple of short, steeper sections to get up and over to the lake.

Arrived at the trailhead around 9 a.m., about seven cars parked there, still enough room for us and a few more. It’s a long dirt road to get there, with a few pothole/dips, but a sedan-type car could handle it. Trail is in good shape, though you’re often brushing past bushes and ducking around branches. Blueberries and huckleberries in abundance on the trail up to Mt. Sawyer! A real treat. And terrific views as promised. Still enough parking for a few more cars around 1:00 when we returned to the trailhead. Beautiful hike.

Sufficient other reports on this hike, so briefly. The road going in is as good as I have ever seen it, a sedan should be fine. Backcountry loo is in good shape and just beyond the kiosk is the sign on the right. Mt Sawyer trail is steep, but not too rocky and rooty. Flowers are gone but the berries are ripe and there was fresh bear scat in a couple of places, so he/she must have heard us and moved on. Make yourselves known. No Big Mountains at the top, but lots of little mtns between the clouds. Windy and chilly at the top, bring a jacket, but because of this, no bugs. This Tuesday my daughter joined us on our hike for our annual mom and daughter hike. #Hikeathon. You can help raise money for WTA by donating to my hikeathon:  give.wta.org/fundraiser/6438240  or give.wta.org/muledeer2025 

We arrived at the TH around 8 and no other cars in the parking area.   Trail is in good shape.  There were a few wildflowers in bloom, but they were on their last days.   Perfect hiking temp in the 50s in the morning with some clearing and partial views at the top.    We only saw one runner while we had our second breakfast at the top, then one other group heading up as we came down.  Great day for a hike!

My gps recorded a 18,250 steps and 7.1 miles round trip

#hikeathon

https://give.wta.org/fundraiser/6443090

Long but easy forest road to trailhead. Maybe 7-8 cars when we arrived around 10. Started out cloudy and cool but cleared off to beautiful views by the time we got to the peak. Not many other hikers, seemed like half may be going to Fischer Lake. Trail generally pretty gentle except for climb to peak, though roots and rocks throughout. SO MANY wildflowers! Saw a snowshoe hare dash across the road on the way up but didn’t see animals along the trail.