Trail Overview
The trail to Saugum Lake begins near the local transfer station. Shortly afterward, it passes through a short section of extremely fine, powdery silt resembling talcum powder. This section is relatively brief before the route transitions onto a better-graded trail. The route crosses open-range land, so cattle may be present on or near the trail. Farther along, several flat areas and large open meadows provide attractive stopping points, with expansive views of the surrounding mountain range. Some of the flatter areas may offer random camping where permitted. Scattered campsites and side trails appear throughout the route. These side routes provide opportunities to explore the surrounding area and locate additional viewpoints or potential campsites. Beyond the meadows, the trail enters a more deteriorated forested section. Conditions gradually become rougher, with deeper muddy ruts and increasingly narrow terrain. Near the lake, the route includes a particularly narrow, steep, off-camber downhill section. At the end of the trail, visitors will find a small boat launch, excellent views of Saugum Lake, a rough old picnic bench, and an established fire ring. The lake view makes the trip worthwhile, although there is little truly level ground for camping at the terminus. Download offline maps before departure; cell service is intermittent and limited to about one bar.
Difficulty
Drivers should be comfortable with deep mud, ruts, steep grades, and off-camber terrain. The narrow descent near the lake may be difficult for wide or long-wheelbase vehicles.
