Sauer's Mountain — Tuesday, May. 13, 2025

This hike is right at the top of my all time favorite spring hikes! So many flowers and nice views also. From the very beginning all the way to the top it is never boring. The limited parking keeps this one from being overrun, we left Everett at 6 AM and got there at 830 and we were the 4th car in the lot. The trail itself is brushy at the bottom and there are parts that are rough and uneven. There is sand on top of packed clay, which made the steep descent slippery and we had to be careful not to fall, but we're old. The younger hikers we saw had no problems with any of the trail. The balsamroot is beginning to go to seed on the first mile of the trail, but the upper 2 miles had meadows of yellow. Lupines are in full bloom, phlox is blooming, paintbrush is starting and many more small treasures to see. Lots of butterflies were enjoying the nectar too. Be sure to take a short walk past the sign at the top for more views and a beautiful clump of lavender penstemon.  Our exciting wildlife siting was a pair of golden eagles circling overhead! I wasn't 100% sure until I got back to the car and double checked my bird book, because they are not often seen but this is part of their range.  Loo was clean and stocked. Thank you to the Sauer family for the use of this beautiful trail!  6 miles, 2100 gain, reminded me that I just had a birthday!