Sauk Mountain — Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024

This was our first time on Sauk, and it won't be the last! We went with friends who have this on their yearly repeat list, for good reason. Steady switchbacks take you up 95% of the way, at which point the trail branches off to allow for exploring up top. Blueberries along the trail are always a hit with us and our kids (ours are 9 and 11), and they loved seeing and hearing ptarmigans, marmots, pikas, and chipmunks. We could not get enough of the views. It was an overcast/misty day, but felt glorious. Every minute was a different view as the clouds came and went, settled and lifted, and offered varying vistas of some truly gorgeous landscape. The road up had the typical potholes. If you're worried about it, just park before the last bend and avoid the worst one, but it's passable, and quickly forgotten once you start hiking.