[Sadie's Driver]

Sadie has friends visiting. Arrived on Wednesday from Austin, TX - kid home from college (UT). They wanted to go on a hike - see the mountains and find a lake. Sadie had the perfect hike - one of her favorites - Tonga Ridge: Fisher Lake and Mt. Sawyer. Reports said that the snow was melting fast. Hiker Jim said that he wanted to tag along - he'd never done(!) Sawyer or Fisher. Imagine that. A first for HJ. So, we headed out a little after 7:00 a.m. - wanted an early start because it was supposed to be warm today. Got to the trailhead about 9:00 a.m. - about 4 other cars there, likely overnight folks. The kid was excited about joining the driver and Sadie.

The kid enjoying a hike with mom and Sadie. Tony along for the jaunt.

We headed up the trail. Snow right at the start, but in about 100' the snow was gone and we were in the forest.

Heading up the trail and into the forest.

We ran into a solo guy coming down - he was topless - don't know how far he got. Already it was warm. Found the view spot in about 3/4 mile and stopped for a view to the north.

Glacier Peak from the viewpoint

It looks so different without snow covering all of the underbrush. On we forged towards Sawyer. Passed the meadows to the north of the trail - no snow in sight. Managed to miss the trail to Sawyer on our way east so kept on going to Sawyer Pass - there is some snow here, but not much at all. It will be gone soon. Found the orange trail marker for the trail to Fisher Lake - that's the easy part. There was lots of snow, so following a trail was a little challenging. However, there were some footprints - probably within the past 24 hours. We poked around and found our route - head for the stream (if it's still running. When I did this trip with B last August, it was dry).

Sadie gets a first dip in a pond near Sawyer Pass.

Basically, you just following the creek up to the meadow which is all snow. Go east about 150' and look to your right and you should see a trail that goes up steeply, but very short. That brings you to a little pond - which when we got there today, it was snow covered, but likely won't be for long. The trail was snow covered today, but easy to follow along the west side of the pond and it takes you to a wide meadow that you head west on for about 200' then make a sharp left (south) turn up a steep hill (would have been a fun glissade, but we did a different route back) - up the last bump.

Kid and Sadie heading up the slope on bump #3 heading south towards Fisher.

From here, it was downhill on a fairly easy to follow trail to Fisher Lake. We had a lovely lunch at the lake. Tony (friend of kid who drove all the way from Austin!) decided to do a brisk swim in Fisher - completely melted out. Sadie loved the company.

Sadie at Fisher Lake

Texas Tony contemplating the refreshing waters of an alpine lake

He actually did it!

We headed east along the lake to head towards Ptarmigan.

View from Fisher to the East/Southeast

We found two tents near the lake and their packs farther down the trail. Maybe they were out exploring the wilds. On the way, we had to duck under a huge tree that was over the trail.

"Little Log" over the trail kid crawled under

The trail meanders along the lake until it gets to the outlet stream.

Sadie checking out the trail facilities

There is a nice log bridge crossing the outlet stream to the trail on the other side.

Bridge across Sawyer outlet stream

View west at the east end of Fisher

Some folks don't like the orange flags that mark the trail here and there - but they saved our bacon in finding the trail down to Ptarmigan. Steep little trail, but worth doing. Another lovely Alpine Lake that we had to ourselves. Took a few pics and enjoyed the beauty.

Ptarmigan Lake

Headed back up the hill (love those orange flags) - got back to the outlet stream for a few pics of the lovely little waterfall from the outlet and then on out back towards Fisher.

Outlet Stream from Fisher

Similar to when B and I did this trip in August, today we did a little trail detour and ended up skirting around Bump #3 and ending up on a trail that took us back to the pond that still had snow on it. Time out for a little snowball fight by the kids - Sadie had to join in the fun.

Snowball fight

Sadie enjoys a good snowball fight, too.

We could see Sawyer in the distance.

Mt. Sawyer from Fisher Lake Trail

On down the creek bed and back to Sawyer Pass. Tony, Hiker Jim, Sadie and the driver decided to scramble up a slope to head up to Sawyer.

Tony, Jim and Sadie bushwhacking up to Sawyer

The kid went on back to the car. Up about 1/2 on the slope, we ran into the regular trail up to Sawyer and followed it up to the summit. Oh, Hiker Jim, Sadie and the driver will be back in mid-August - we can't let this bumper crop of huckleberries go unpicked!

Hiker Jim, Sadie and the Driver will be back in August

Beautiful views from the summit. There was still several feet of snow on top of Sawyer.

Mt. Rainier peeking out

Glacier Peak spectacular from Sawyer

But on the south slope, there was none. A family with several kids also was enjoying the summit. We headed back down - on the right trail - and joined the Tonga Ridge trail to head out and back to the car. Stats: 7 1/2 hours car to car. 2000' elevation gain(?); 11 1/2 miles. Bugs - but they didn't bother us. No snakes. Not a lot of flowers yet - but lupine, marsh marigolds, shooting stars,

Marsh Marigolds

Shooting Star

mountain ash and a few others. Only boots and poles - didn't even need our gaiters! Beautiful day. Youth decided the old folks weren't in too bad of shape. Sadie had the best of everything - swimming, snow, scrambling - what more can a dog ask for?!

[Backpacker Joe]

Nice report and pics. It's been a while since Ive been there. Looks good.

[Larry]

NICE report. Nice pix. Thanks for sharing this sunny day!

[MtnGoat]

Looks like a great hike for some texas visitors on a great day, glad someone went swimming, that's a vital part of lake visitation!

[ActionBetty]

Austin has this natural limestone pool that is open all year round..its called "barton springs"...it's as cold as the alpine lakes in the summer. Nice to see some Austinites enjoying the snow covered trails

[Sadie's Driver]