This nice short hike gives you the option of reaching the summit for views of the surrounding mountain ranges, going down to Sauk Lake or finding a comfortable resting place between the two or nearby. Switchbacks are your means of transportation to get you where you want to go.
If you take the Sauk Mountain road to get to the trailhead, the road isn't bad. There are sections of deep potholes mostly in the beginning of the road. The finale curve to the trailhead that many people worry about is quite doable if driving a high clearance vehicle. I find the bigger obstacle past this curve is not finding a place to park. The parking lot isn't very big.
I like hiking this trail in the early morning as the daylight is softer and not as harsh as the afternoon sun. Whatever time you go the views and flowers are very pretty this time of year. The marmot population seems larger to me since the last time I was here. Chances of seeing one is high and they are quite vocal, albeit a little bit shy.
This trail reliably offers "eye candy" to those who want a short hike (4+ miles depending on your destination) that includes a good level of physical activity. The only thing I found missing today were more butterflies. Birds were sparse too. But what I saw and enjoyed was all I needed today.
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