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Sauk Mountain #613 — Jun. 24, 2006

North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
 
Road is clear of snow to the trailhead. Trail is free of snow until about 5000 feet, where you make the turn for the back side of the mountain. After that snow is sporadic and finally continuous. In a couple of places near the top, we were happy to have our ice axes just in case. Views from the top are unparalled for such an accessible and short hike. Flower season is just starting. We did however, see lupines, paint brush, valarian, avalanche lilies and of course dandilions.

Sauk Mountain #613 — Jun. 18, 2006

North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
2 photos
Big Rudy
Beware of: snow conditions
 
Went up Highway 20 in search of some new hikes for myself. The road to this trailhead makes some great switchbacks up to a nice viepoint. There was too much snow on the road to get all the way to the trailhead, but I managed to get within a couple hundred yards. Once I reached the trailhead, which is visible most of the climb, I noticed that the signs up there had been vandalized. Now on the trail. The hillside that it climbs, with very short switchbacks, is a meadowy chute. It kind of resembles the last bit of trail before Headlee Pass. It is a pretty simple trail to the saddle/shoulder and then I don't really know, because I turned around just before reaching it. I will come back next week when all of the snow has melted. I am not much of a risk taker...even small risks. A man and his son spotted a somewhat large black bear below the trail. Even though I was far above them, I could see it. He told me later that he lives in the area and has not ever seen one of that size. Good thing it was far down the hill.

Sauk Mountain #613 — May. 28, 2006

North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
1 photo
Layback
Beware of: snow conditions
 
It was clear day in the valley but once we reached the snow covered road at the top things quickly became foggy. Road is passable to nearly the top. 1/4 mile of walking on the road will get you to an area of avalanche debris run-out off of Suak Mtn. from the heavy snows this winter that will liely take some time to melt out. Trail is clear for 1/2 mile of switchbacks and is then covered in snow. We had to kick steps. Bring an ice axe. more than one party had to turn back because of steep snow and no trail. The final 1,000 ft is snow covered. Fun gisading off of the summit! A great day on Sauk despite the fog!

Sauk Mountain #613 — Nov. 19, 2005

North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
2 photos
cascade dreams
 
Sauk Mountain is a favorite of a friend who called Friday evening looking to take advantage of the spring like weather and low ava danger. I'd never been, and wasn't disappointed on this near perfect day a few thousand feet above the fog filled Skagit River Valley. Snow on the Sauk Mtn Road #1030, started around 2800' or so (I forgot to calibrate the altimeter so I'm guessing) and we parked at a wide switchback corner and began the walk up the road. We hiked the road to the trailhead (again forgetting to calibrate the alt at this known elev point) slipped into the snowshoes, out and up somewhat along the summer trail. Lots of ava activity in evidence and a few climax slides have removed much snow cover on the steep W face exposing a surprising amount of bare dirt and vegetation. Climbed, on snowshoes at first and as the angle increased, kicked steps and wallowed in the deeper spots to the ridge. Traversed along the E side of the summit ridge across ice crusted snow and were rewarded with wonderful 360 degree views from the lookout site. Got a few decent glissades in on the way down and our late start this morning meant that we were treated to a spectacular sunset this evening as we descended.

Sauk Mountain #613 — Jul. 24, 2005

North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
flowerfreaks
 
After the frustration of dealing with construction delays on the Mt. Baker Hwy last week, we decided to try something up the Skagit. A relatively short drive took us to Sauk Mt., which we had often said we should try but never had. What a flower show! It starts in the lower meadows and just gets better as you climb. Once you crest the ridge and traverse the north side, the flowers are fantastic. The 360o view from the old lookout site was great, with only the islands hidden by haze. A light breeze kept the bugs from being ferocious... A short, easy hike with lots of reward- we'll be back.