Sawtooth Ridge Trail
Hike Rating: Easy
Hike Length: 7.4 miles roundtrip (variable)
Elevation Change: 350’
Trailhead Elevation: 5,630’
Best Season: June through September
Driving Access: Any vehicle, with care
Plus
Points
• A ridge line hike with
spectacular overviews of the Upper Wenaha River watershed
• Trail is cow-free and entirely within the Wenaha-Tucannon
Wilderness Area
• Prime summer elk habitat, with the possibility for elk
sightings if one is stealthy
• Wildflowers into July, including yellow arnica,
penstemon, blue larkspur and columbine
• Gnarled subalpine firs along the ridge, exhibiting
krummholz formations
• Overall, a well-defined trail that appears regularly
cleared of downed trees
Minus
Points
• The further one hikes down
the ridge, the less well-defined the trail becomes
• Trail has few water bars or drains, so it is deeply
eroded in some spots
• Afternoon thunderstorms can present a lightning hazard on
the exposed ridge
Download
(PDF, 748 KB): Photos of Sawtooth Ridge
Trail
Download
(PDF, 886 KB): Topo Map for Sawtooth Ridge
Trail
Download
(GPX, 1 KB): GPS Points for Sawtooth Ridge
Trail
Download
(PDF, 814 KB): Road Map for Sawtooth Ridge
Trail
Trail
Notes
For the first
mile, the trail gradually climbs and descends, following
the top of a heavily-forested ridge through thick stands of
subalpine fir and grand fir. In July, yellow arnica flowers
blanket the forest floor. In the second mile, the trail
continues up and down along the ridge, but the forests are
sparser and they alternate with open "balds" — treeless,
grassy slopes with buckwheat, white soapwort, blue
penstemon and bush lupine. At 1.6 miles, the first views
open up over the North Fork Wenaha River drainage to the
west.
At 2.4 miles, the trail enters a 150-acre forested bench
known as Burnt Flat (with no sign of recent fires). A small
rock cairn here marks a trail junction (GPS Point 1) and
one bears right (southwest) to continue the ridge hike.
Past Burnt Flat, the trail drops about 150' in elevation to
a bald notch in the ridge and then becomes a bit harder to
follow. For the next 0.5 miles, the trail follows the ridge
line south, staying just east of the crest.
At 3.3 miles
(GPS Point 2), one comes to a second trail junction at a
small cairn in a wide saddle. The main trail leads left,
down into the trees, but a small game trail leads right up
the bald ridge line. Follow this game trail as it climbs
the open ridge ahead, then descends, staying on the ridge
crest. In about 0.4 miles, one comes to a sharp, rocky
outcrop on the ridge with spectacular, panoramic vistas
south of the Wenaha watershed and the snow-capped Wallowa
Mountains beyond. Look for a shady spot under the mountain
mahogany here to enjoy lunch and a rest. Return the way you
came.
Road to Trailhead
From Hwy 12
in the town of Dayton, WA, turn south on 4th Street, then
drive 23.2 miles up the North Fork Touchet River canyon,
past the Bluewood Ski Area, to a road junction. This road
is paved to the ski area and becomes Road 64 at the Forest
boundary.
At the road junction, turn left (east) onto Road 46 and
drive 3.7 miles to where dirt Road 420 branches to the
right (south). Follow Road 420 (Burnt Flat Road) through a
long clearing, then up a short steep incline, for 0.2 miles
to the trailhead sign. If your vehicle can't negotiate the
steep incline, just park below it and walk the final 0.1
miles to the trailhead.
Camping Options
The nearest developed camping
area is the Godman Campground on Forest Road 46, about 6
driving miles east of the trailhead. On a forested bench
above the road, there a 8 campsites for tents or small
camping trailers (say up to 16') and a vault toilet, but no
drinking water. Campsites are free and available on a
first-come, first-served basis from mid-June to late
October,
depending on
snow conditions.
If self-contained, with one's own water and sanitation,
there are dispersed camping sites at Burnt Flat Corral,
along Road 420 leading to the trailhead. These consist of
tent sites in the trees along this access road and also
travel trailer sites on open pullouts next to the road.
Finally, there are more dispersed camping sites along Road
46, from its junction with Road 64 on the west all the way
east to the Godman Campground. These are on the short spur
roads leading off Road 46 and mostly consist of pullouts in
the trees.
Agency Contact: Umatilla National Forest,
Pomeroy District, (509) 843-1891
DISCLAIMER:
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this
information, but the authors do not guarantee that it is
either current or correct. The reader assumes full
responsibility for any use of this information, and is
encouraged to contact local public land agencies to inquire
about current conditions before
traveling.
Page last updated: 11/19/13