Are dogs allowed on Sawtooth Mountain?

Yes, dogs are allowed on Sawtooth Mountain but must be kept on a leash at all times. Pack out waste and respect wildlife.

Do I need a permit to hike Sawtooth Mountain?

No, Sawtooth Mountain does not currently require a permit. Still check for seasonal closures or day-use fees with the managing agency before heading out.

How difficult is Sawtooth Mountain?

Sawtooth Mountain is rated difficult. It is 9.1 miles long with 2,585 feet of elevation gain. Difficulty ratings reflect a combination of distance, elevation gain, and terrain — your experience will depend on your fitness level and trail conditions.

Is Sawtooth Mountain suitable for kids?

Sawtooth Mountain is not typically recommended for young children due to length, exposure, or technical terrain. Older kids with hiking experience may be fine — use your judgment based on your family's comfort level.

Status unknown — verify before visiting

We don't have current condition data for this trail. Check with the land manager before you go.

See Oregon trail conditions

DifficultOut and Back

Oregon

Sawtooth Mountain

Crescent, Oregon

9.1 mi

Distance

2,585 ft

Elev. Gain

4h 20m

Est. Time

Out & Back

Route Type

Difficult

Difficulty

About This Trail

Imported description

Hike around the High Cascade basin located between Sawtooth and Cowhorn Mountains, with detours to the top of each peak and a scenic look at Indigo Lake. Start out hiking from Timpanogas campground up toward Indigo Lake. Two hundred feet before Indigo Lake, veer left to continue on the trail up to Windy Pass. But be sure to visit Indigo Lake and see the beautiful blue and pristine water. Continue up the switchbacks to Windy pass. At the crossroads, a right turn will lead you up to the summit of Sawtooth, a 3.6 mile roundtrip detour. But turn left and continue along the ridge traversing Sawtooth and Cowhorn for 2.1 miles. After climbing a short set of switchbacks you'll encounter an intersection. Left will allow you to continue around the basin, heading back to Timpanogas Lake. Going right will take you on the second detour to the summit of Cowhorn Mountain. Hike 0.3 miles to the PCT and turn right, going another 0.3 miles. Take a left up and scramble up to the peak of Cowhorn. The detour to Cowhorn is 2 miles roundtrip. Once you are back at the basin trail intersection, turn right and continue 2.7 miles down around the basin. After passing a small pond on your right, take a left and continue 1.1 miles back to the trailhead at Timpanogas Lake.

From Wikipedia

Sawtooth Mountain is a shield volcano, and part of the polygenetic Indian Heaven Volcanic Field in Washington, United States. It is located midway between Mount St. Helens and Mount Adams, and dates from the Pleistocene and Holocene. Sawtooth Mountain is the third highest point at 5,354 feet (1,632 m)in this region. The mountain forms a series of welded volcanic rock spires, an eroded remnant of an ancient shield volcano. Sawtooth Mountain is the third highest point in the Indian Heaven Wilderness Area. While Sawtooth Mountain is not the highest, its craggy appearance makes it one of the most namesake peaks in the Indian Heaven Volcanic Field.

Source: Wikipedia — text licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Verify trail conditions and seasonal closures with the managing agency before you go.

Trail Conditions

Unknown

We have no current condition data for this trail. Check with the operator before you go, and submit a report below if you've been recently.

No recent condition reports. Be the first to share what you see on the trail.

Elevation Profile

Min:1,617 ft

Max:2,195 ft

853 ft

Trail Details

Dogs on leash

Route Type: Out & Back
Surface: Dirt

Official sources & verification

We don't have curated agency sources for this trail in our cache yet. Outdoors is not the permitting authority — confirm conditions, permits, and access with the managing agency before you go. If you know who manages this trail, please tell us.

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Legacy import — verify before navigating

Path geometry came from our pre-launch legacy database. Routes have not yet been re-verified against the operator and may differ from the actual trail.

Hunt context