Out/Back: Sauer’s Mountain

2.8 Miles Straight Up

Sauer’s Mountain is hidden behind the fields of grapevines and pear trees that blanket Leavenworth, Washington. Beginning on private land, you are free to choose from several routes as you make a 2.8-mile ascent toward the mountain top. Hiking along a narrow trail, a single misstep could mean a dangerous fall off of this small but mighty mountain. It is best not to find yourself too concerned with the fall. Instead, focus on the trail underneath, the sweeping views on exposed ridges, and tree covering offering shade once you reach a higher elevation. When you arrive at the top, you are treated to a sweeping vista with mountains, trees, and the majesty of Washington exploding in every direction.

After the PCT

Sauer’s Mountain is my first hike since being forced off the Pacific Crest Trail in mid-March thanks to COVID-19. Over the past three months, I have felt pretty sorry for myself. Lost in my own self-pity, I have found myself mad at the world, the trail, and hiking itself. Finding myself on the trail once again, even for a short hike such as this, reinvigorated my spirits and reminded me what I find so special about hiking. This is an activity built on self-reliance and communal experience where the joy of accomplishment is both internally and externally shared. On these dusty trails, you are offered something primitive…