Pilot Ridge Trail

Description:

• The Pilot Ridge Trail is a strenuous 11 mile hike. The trail begins off the North Fork Sauk Trail #649 and ends at June Mountain at the junction with the Bald Eagle Trail #650. Hikers must follow the North Fork Sauk Trail for 2 miles to the junction with the Pilot Ridge Trail. Pilot Ridge Trail continues for 3 miles gaining 3000 feet in elevation in a series of switchbacks. On a clear day, the view from the ridge is spectacular. The first good campsite is at 8 miles near a small tarn on the north side of the ridge.

  At 10 miles, a side trail to the east climbs for 1 mile to the 6712 summit of Johnson Mountain. The main trail continues on reaching a junction at 10.5 miles. The left fork leads to 22 acre Upper Blue Lake at 5500 feet, which can remain frozen until mid-August. The right fork is the main trail which leads to June Mountain. at a junction with the Bald Eagle Trail.