Sauk Mountain — Wednesday, Jun. 11, 2025

Arrived at the trailhead at 9:30am - we were the 6th car in the little lot.  We were back at the car at 1pm.  

No water on the trail so we packed plenty for the dog (soon to be 10 year old that weighs 95lb, his max hiking temp is 72 degrees).  The pinpoint weather was a high of 64 degrees with some high cloud covers. So I carried 1 liter of chicken broth and 1/2 liter of regular water for him.  He went through it all.  We left his wet hiking shirt at home on accident, so he was a dry dog today.  

snow starts as you turn onto the NE side of the mountain. Couple patches then turns solid on the last stretch to the summit.  We were fine in trailrunners, hiking poles, and microspikes.  There is a big slide down if u lose ur footing, and it would suck.  So just be sure of ur footing and comfort level. 

My dog and I stopped 6 feet from the summit - The snow is melting fast where it meets the rocky summit.  My hiking partner postholed to his thigh.  My dog is apprehensive when he nears snow bridges / hollowed snow.  So, we tried a couple different spots so to get off the snow in a safer spot.  But tbh, it all looked mush and melting.  My hiking partner made it to the summit - but I held onto my dog and we stayed back.  No regrets.  

the views were still awesome.  The wildflowers were out. Marmots were out (saw and heard at least 3).  Saw maybe 15 humans total today.  Weekday hiking for the win.