Sawtooth Ridge is hike #117 in Day Hiking Eastern Washington, were it is described as a well-tended trail. Unfortunately, we did not find that to be the case as we attempted to hike all the way to the Wenaha River and back on this overnight visit. We started mid-afternoon on Friday, with a goal of hiking in about two miles to the spur-trail junction described in the guidebook, then venturing out on the spur to Burnt Flat and the Lady Spring Camp indicated on our Wenaha-Tucannon maps. We did find water, but not the camp. We also found trash left behind by unethical campers, and a huge (unethical if not illegal) salt lick at the location that most closely matched the camp marked on our map. The spur trail had seen recent use, as evidenced by the existence of a new campsite located too close to the water & dug out to make flat spots. It was very disappointing to see so many examples of how not to have a LNT camp. On Saturday morning I awoke just in time to catch the spectacular sunrise, and then we packed up just our daypacks to make our attempt to hike to the river. We didn't make it far beyond the spur trail junction before we started to have difficulty locating the trail tread. We did manage to go about a mile beyond the Oregon border, but we were forced to abandon the hike before it started to drop downhill to the river. This trail needs some serious attention before it disappears entirely! My trip report sounds far too negative, so let me close with the positives. The part we were able to hike hugged the ridge line almost the entire way, so the views were incredible. The wildflowers are in full bloom right now, and there were so many varieties I couldn't begin to name them all. There were hillsides blue & purple with lupine and penstemon, patches of red & yellow columbine, and I even saw some sulfur lupine. The butterflies were everywhere, but I didn't see a single mosquito the entire trip. This trail needs some boots on the ground, so go hike it and help wear the tread back to visibility. Even though we didn't make it all the way to the river, we did make it to about the six mile mark, not counting the spur trail (and all of our wandering around trying to locate Lady Camp).

The Sawtooth Ridge trail provides great views into the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness and is easily accessible by any car. Wildflowers are in full bloom at this time of year. When hiking the trail, you will come to a fork at about the 2 mile mark. Taking the left fork leads to Lady Camp and Spring. Taking the right fork leads through beautiful high meadows typical of the Wenaha-Tucannon. Unfortunately, after about 4 miles in, the trail fades into obscurity, even though maps indicate that at one time it lead all the way to the Wenaha river. That had been our original goal, but we turned back rather than continue to search out the trail. Despite the difficulties, this ridge is worth visiting for the views on either side, as well as the flowers.

Few trip reports ever come from the Blue Mtns, especially in late summer. Western Washington and the Cascades were deep in rain on Sept 6, so we went to the Blue Mtns behind Bluewood Ski area, and found a long trail on the Umatilla National Forest map (14 miles long, winding up intersecting the Wenaha River Trail in Oregon). It was the beginning of bow season for deer, but since it was late morning by the time we got there, all the hunters were in camp or on the road. Trailhead easy to find, just down 1/4 mile on a dirt path from the skyline road. The Sawtooth Ridge trail is relatively flat-- you start at the top and just follow the ridge line into the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness. After about 5 miles the trail starts its decline to the river bottom. Watch out for the side trail to Lady Springs on Burnt Flat, about 2 miles from the trailhead-- the side trail is all we saw, and wound up hiking down Beaver Ridge instead of Sawtooth Ridge. Not sure it made any difference in the hiking, but that trail isn't as long. No water on the trail, but still had wildflowers, and absolutely no other hikers or hunters. Some blowdown, especially past the 2 mile point. Lots of wildlife sign, including bear. Would be especially beautiful in early summer right after the snow is gone and the wildflowers are at a peak. Also not bad for backcountry X-country skiing-- ski up the forest service road that passes Bluewood. Better snow (colder and deeper) than the Cascades get!