Hike Sauer’s Mountain

Sauer’s Mountain is one of those well defined, moderate, and rewarding hikes that give you just the right amount of views for the effort, but the real treat is catching the wildflower bloom in mid-May.

The trailhead is located on private property.

Start by parking along the private drive and walk to the trailhead where you will most likely encounter Mr. Sauer sitting in his chair selling homemade wine underneath a sparse canopy of trees adorned with his totem carvings. No, I am not making this up. There is a donation box that you should feel free to contribute to if Mr. Sauer does not say anything himself. Otherwise, start up a gentle incline as you walk around Mr. Sauer’s vineyard and take note of the several carvings hidden in the trees.

Note: Dogs should be on leash while on private property.

After a short while the trail offers an option to walk an extra 0.2 miles for a viewpoint. Stay right if you want to keep on the main trail and see those views later on.

It won’t be long until a sign indicates that you have left Mr. Sauer’s property. The trail forks occasionally, and while I always took the left-most route, the two will loop together again and end up a single trail. The trail here, and for the entirety of the hike is very narrow, albeit well-defined, and offers little shade. You’ll be walking single-file as the brush and wildflowers graze your arms and legs with each step. There are half-mile markings along the trail so that you can keep track of your progress.

The trail will continue along its constant incline, but never too severely until the very end. Just before the ‘end’ of the trail, you’ll come to what looks like a four-way junction, but ignore the over-grown bike trails and head straight (and coincidently, up) to where a sign and trail log await. 

You can continue along the tail as it dips and rises for another quarter of a mile or so before joining up with the mountain bike trails, but most chose to end their hike at the Sauer’s Mountain sign. Enjoy the views and head back down when ready.

More notes: In the Spring when the foliage is abundant, you will be brushing up against a lot of plants, and if you have sensitive skin or allergies you are likely to get a small reaction (both my hiking partner and I got small rashes on our hands from the brush, but they disappeared by the time we made it back to the car).

Take a short drive to Leavenworth afterwards and indulge in a beer at one of the several breweries in town.