John Guilford's Hikes

Sauk Mountain on 2026-07-07

Date: 2026-07-07

Location: Sauk Mountain

People: (including myself): Happy Hikers

			  	Alt.	Miles
Trailhead:		9:10	4370	0
Sauk Mtn:		10:50	5500	2
Leave:			11:25
Trailhead:		12:45	4370	4

This is one of my favorite hikes in the area. I think you get the most bang for your buck as it is relatively short but gives not only stupendous views from the top, but also wonderful wildflowers along the way.

The road up to the trailhead was somewhat rough. I went with someone else who had a vehicle with higher ground clearance than my car. At the trailhead parking we met of wildfire fighters who were on a training PT hike. They got themselves loaded up with their gear (large chain saws, axes, gas cans, etc.) to hike up and back down the mountain.

The day was warm, but we started relatively early in the morning and the first part of the trail was on the west slope of the mountain and in the shade in the morning.

The trail does a long traverse to a slope that it then switchbacks up, steadily gaining altitude. As in past years, there were quite a few wildflowers and butterflies to entertain us on the way up.

Eventually you cross the southern ridge and vistas of peaks to the east open up. The trail was in teh sun now. The trail follows the east side of the ridge up above Sauk Lake. There is a side trail down to the lake, but as the lake is actually lower than the parking area, a visit to the lake about doubles the hike.

Nearer the summit, we ran into a marmot on the trail how wasn't very afraid of us and allowed me to get some nice photos.

The trail finally climbs around the south side of the "summit" before ending. There are a couple slightly higher summits further north along the ridge, but they require technical climbing to get to. Most people stop where we did at the end of the trail. The bugs weren't as bad as I had expected, though I did put on some bug repellent.

While eating lunch a chipmunk visited our group before we headed down.