The Sauer's Mountain trail in Washington is one of the most popular hikes near Leavenworth. It's famous for its wildflowers in the spring.
If you've ever been to Leavenworth, you know that this area of central Washington is jam-packed full of once-in-a-lifetime trails. If you look a little closer, you'll be even more shocked at the depth Leavenworth has to offer. Only a few miles away in Peshastin, you'll find the Sauer's Mountain Trail.
If you loved this Leavenworth trail, let us know in the comments! What wildflowers did you see?
Sauer's Mountain Directions
To get to Sauer's Mountain in Leavenworth, use the map below:
Hiking Sauer's Mountain Trail
The Sauer's Mountain Trail in Peshastin, WA, begins on private property, a very interesting experience that you have to see to believe.
Distance | Elevation Gain | Time Required | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
6 miles | 1,800 | 3.5 hours | 4/10 |
More than one hiker has returned from Sauer's Mountain with a story about Mr. Sauer, the property owner, who is often found sitting outside near his donation box.
If you're feeling generous, donate before starting on the trail around the Sauer vineyard, which is fenced-in. Make sure to take some time to look at the carvings that are distributed around the property.
From here, you'll find yourself on a more established path along the mountainside with views of the Wenatchee River Valley and parts of the Enchantments.
If you're visiting in the spring, make sure to bring your camera, as this is one of the best places to see wildflowers in Washington state.
In the summer at Sauer's Mountain is a different story. There is little shade, so be prepared to bake in the sun unless you go early in the day or in the evening.
Eventually, you'll curve along the hill and see a wood sign that says "Leaving Private Property" and "Entering National Forest." Now you're off of Mr. Sauer's land and into Wenatchee National Forest.
At the summit, there's a wonderful carved sign that reads: "Sauer's Mountain Elev 3,100." From here, you'll be able to have a far grander view of the surrounding peaks than before.
Best Time of Year to Visit
You won't be surprised to learn that the best time of year to visit the Sauer's Mountain Trail is in the spring. Spring and fall are the best seasons to hike this trail due to the lack of shade and the amount of snow that Peshastin and Leavenworth get in the winter.
Leavenworth Wildflowers
Washington and Oregon, along with other areas of the Pacific Northwest, are known for having a huge number of wildflowers that are remarkably prominent along trails.
The Sauer's Mountain trail is only one of many, many hikes in Washington that you might explore in the spring if you want to see wildflowers. But what flowers should you be on the lookout for? Here are a few of the most notable wildflowers in the Leavenworth area.
Arrowleaf Balsamroot
Balsamroot is one of the most common wildflowers you'll see in Leavenworth, Peshastin, and Wenatchee. Sauer's Mountain balsamroot is fairly common as well!
These flowers are bright and yellow and resemble small sunflowers.
Blue Windflower
A small blue flower that only grows to around 1.5 inches in width. It's very common around the Wenatchee Foothills and may be visible along the trail up Sauer's Mountain.
American Vetch
The American vetch, or Vicia Americana, is a lovely purple flower that's so prevalent that you may even see it on the drive to the Sauer's Mountain Trailhead.
The flowers have 2-9 flowers on each stem and range from pink to purple to blue.
The leaves have 4-8 pairs and are narrow.
American Pokeweed
A tall plant that's known for its strings of light green blossoms that turn into black berries later in the year. They are highly toxic to humans if you don't cook them right!
Hikes Near Sauer's Mountain
If you live in the area or are looking for more hikes near Sauer's Mountain, WA, you're in luck. Peshastin and Leavenworth are a hub of fantastic hikes. Plus, you won't have to go far to access some of the stunning hikes near Wenatchee.
A calf-burning moderate hike in Wenatchee
The most famous hike in Wenatchee is up to the ever-present Saddle Rock formation that towers over the city. It's a tough one, gaining around 1,000 feet in just over 1 mile. It should take you about 2 hours, but you'll probably want to spend a bit longer admiring the scenery as the views encompass all of Wenatchee!
Also, check out Saddle Rock's neighbor, Castlerock, for more fun.
A unique hike around some truly interesting rock formations
Just down the road from Sauer's Mountain is Peshastin Pinnacles State Park. While not the largest state park in central Washington, it has a unique trail to the top of the pinnacles that is well worth doing if you have about an hour.
A very tough hike into the heart of the Enchantments (goats are a plus!)
Are you looking for something harder? If so, the long trek into the Enchantments to climb Little Annapurna might be for you. In the world-renowned Alpine Lakes Wilderness, you'll endure thousands of feet of gain to summit one of Washington's tallest mountains (and technically easiest).
A moderate hike only a few minutes from Mission Ridge Ski Resort
The Devil's Spur Trail perfectly complements Sauer's Mountain Trail. It's of a similar difficulty, although most would say easier, and provides some interesting views of Wenatchee. It's only a few minutes from Mission Ridge Ski Resort.
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