July 9, 2017
In July, I had an opportunity to do a hike up Sauk Mountain in Skagit County. It is a popular hike, with gorgeous views of the Sauk and Skagit River Valleys.
We got on the road a little later than I had hoped, because Cora had escaped the house a couple days before and she had only come back that morning at about 4:30 am. Bad kitty… So I caught a couple hours of sleep, then woke up at 7 and decided to go for it, despite my semi-exhausted state…
The Sauk Mountain hike starts out with a little incline through wildflowers and small shrubs, and then begins a series of switchbacks up the side of the mountain. Don’t get too close to the edge of the trail, as the switchbacks do have a lot of loose dirt, and it would be easy to lose your footing. Be sure to take time to stop and check out the views! If you are like me, you will have to, because you will need a chance to catch your breath.
The view up Sauk Mountain with the sun
A view of the valley below
A view of the switchbacks with Mt. Baker in the distance (behind the fluffy cloud)
Flowers on the trail
Flowers with a filter!
At the top of the switchbacks you head around to the other side of Sauk Mountain, with more stunning views of the Cascade mountains in the distance. You reach a spur trail that goes off to Sauk Lake – we didn’t do it because it was still snowed in, plus we would have had to hike down to the lake and then back up!
Me on the ridge with the Cascades in the background
Sauk Lake with snow
Another view of Sauk Lake
The last bit to the top of Sauk Mountain was covered in snow – step carefully because it gets slippery! The snow stays late in the season up here on this north facing slope. After you are through the snow patch, you pick your way through the jagged rocks to the top. Of course, I got distracted by the wildlife, and forgot to take a photo of the top, although this gives you an idea…
The jagged ridge near where the trail ends
We saw marmots! And pika! Both were not super-cooperative in my attempts to photograph them… The views were amazing – everywhere you turn you see a different mountain.
A Marmot!
The back of the marmot
A Pika worshipping the sun!
Another Marmot!
I loved this hike! It is 4.2 miles round trip, with a 1,200 foot elevation gain, and an elevation at the top of 5,500 feet. I would certainly do it again!
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