Sauer Mountain: A mesmerizing spring Wildflower Hike in Washington
Are you craving blooming hillsides, snowy peak views, and a dash of adventure? If so, put Sauer Mountain on your spring hiking list—now!
Just 2.5 hours from the Seattle area, tucked just beyond the Bavarian-style town of Leavenworth, you’ll find Sauer Mountain. Arguably, this trail boasts some of most spectacular spring wildflower displays in Washington!
I first discovered Sauer Mountain from tips on my local hiking page. I was mesmerized by all of the wildflowers photos and decided to make it a priority for the following spring. This April I’d kept a close eye on trail reports and knew it was finally time to check it off my list—and it didn’t disappoint!
🌼 Trail Overview
- Location: Near Peshastin, WA (just past Leavenworth)
- Distance: 5.2–6 miles round trip
- Elevation Gain: ~1,800 feet
- Trail Type: Out-and-back
- Highest Point: ~3,100 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate (with a steep climb early on and at the end)
- Dog Friendly: Yes! (But beware of ticks and snakes—we spotted two on our hike 🤮)
- Best Time to Go: Mid-April to early May for peak wildflowers
🚗 Getting There & Parking
The trailhead begins on private property owned by the Sauer family—hence the name! They provide access to the trail starting in the spring. It’s closed October 1-March 21st.
There are about 10 designated parking spots near the trailhead. Please make sure you’re looking at the signage and respecting the Sauer family and their parking rules. Additional off-road parking exists a little farther down, but its legality is questionable, so plan to arrive early or on a weekday if you can. When we returned from our hike, there were plenty of people parked where it was clear they weren’t allowed to be.
🥾 The Hike Experience
The trail wastes no time getting your heart rate up—the first mile climbs steadily, but the rewards start early! We quickly saw slopes blanketed with arrowleaf balsamroot 🌼. If you get the timing right, you can also see lupine, bluebells, and more. The trail is marked at half mile intervals – the first mile felt the longest! Eventually the trail crosses into National Forest Land.
Tip: keep to the left at the first fork – this part of the trail overlooks all the vineyards and pear trees – it’s stunning! This section is steep and narrow. Make sure to watch your footing and keep your dogs close.
It took our group about 1.5 hours to summit, with several photo breaks. About 2/3 of the way up, we hit a logging road—you’ll want to continue straight and climb a few step up the rocks to reconnect with the trail on the other side. It’s one of the steepest sections, so take a breather here if needed—you’re almost there.
At the summit, you’re greeted with jaw-dropping views of the Enchantments, Mount Baker, and the surrounding valleys.
The summit is marked with a sign and officially ends there. Near the sign is a canister with a notebook inside – you can sign your name and write a message here. The trail continues along the ridge and branches into other trails. I’m unsure how far it goes as we stopped a little ways past the summit sign. Descending took us about an hour, and although not totally necessary, I was glad to have trekking poles. Our group was thankful for our morning start, as the sun felt intense on the way down. The trail has some shaded parts, but the first part of the hike is fairly exposed.
Tip: Don’t forget your 10 essentials when participating in wilderness activities!
🍷 Post-Hike Treats
After your descent, consider swinging through nearby Leavenworth for a hearty meal, a local wine tasting, or boutique shopping. We stopped by Icicle Ridge Winery on the way home. It’s less than a 5 minute drive from Sauer property and was surrounded by beautiful blooming pear trees! They also offered plenty outside seating, which was dog-friendly. Besides wine, our group ordered every cheese on the menu with crackers and fig spread. It was so refreshing after our hike!
Final Thoughts
Sauer Mountain was the perfect wildflower trail to kick off hiking season! I’m thankful the Sauer family allows public access to this trail and it’s important to respect the trail and parking rules so we can maintain access to the trail. Grab some water, snacks, SPF and don’t forget your sense of wonder—and maybe leave room in your car for some wine on the way back!
