John Guilford's Hikes

Date: 2025-07-15

Location: Sauk Mountain

People: (including myself): Happy Hikers

			  	Alt.	Miles
Left Lake Stevens:	7:00	
Trailhead:		9:00	4300	0
Ridge viewpoint		10:15	5300	1.4
Summit:			10:45	5537	2.1
Leave Summit: 		11:15		
Trailhead:		12:30		4.2
Lake Stevens:		3:00		

The trail switchbacks up the west side of a southern ridge and was shaded and cool in the morning, though in the afternoon, it was in full sun.  The trail is mostly out in the open switchbacking up a steep slope that was full of wildflowers. 

At the top of the switchbacks the trail curves around the southern end of the ridge revealing a glorious panorama of the surrounding hills and valleys along iwth the Skagit and Sauk rivers.  The Skagit was dark and blue colored while the Sauk was gray from glacial silt. 

The trail heads north on the east side of the ridge above Sauk Lake.  There is a side trail that goes down to the lake.  On my previous trip here, we'd gone down to the lake, but that about doubles the hike as the lake is actually lower than the parking area. 

We hit some small patches of snow to cross before reaching the summit featuring a great view of Mt. Baker.  We could also see Glacier Peak, Mt. Rainier, and even all the way down to Mt. Adams. 

We found the bugs on the summit a bit annoying, though if you found a place with a bit of wind it wasn't too bad. 

After an early lunch we headed back down. 

Some of the field of wildflowers we hiked up through. 

Panorama from south end of ridge. 

Mount Baker from near the summit. 

Some of the hikers on the summit. 

One of the many wildflowers, this one with a bee checking it out.