Popular Hike

This popular trail in the Skykomish area has a lot to offer.  The trail has great views, mountain flowers in the summer and gorgeous fall colors.  The high elevation trailhead allows easy access to all the scenic beauty of the area without negotiating demanding elevation gains.  Of course everything comes with a price, the trail is heavily used during the hiking season so be prepared to meet lots of other hikers.

The first mile of the trail is through "young growth" forest that has grown back from a 1914 fire that burned most of the ridge.  After 1 mile, the trail breaks out into expansive views to the south and west.  The next mile is a nice mix of meadow and wooded areas. 

At 2 miles a steep side path will lead you to the summit of Mount Sawyer.  This side trip will add 2 miles and 750 feet elevation gain to the hike.  The summit offers great views of the surrounding area including the Stevens Pass area, Mt. Rainier, Mt. Baker, Glacier Peak and Mount Stuart.

Another unofficial trail starts in Sawyer Pass and goes towards Fisher Lake.  At a marked junction where the official trail drops into Deception Creek, go right and then in a few feet left and follow the trail past campsites up a hill past two small ponds to a T junction.  Go left at the T junction through a meadow and up through a gap to the trail that descends to Fisher Lake approximately 2 miles from Sawyer Pass.  Campsites can be found near the lake.