Day 1 of the Grand Sawtooth Loop is the toughest start you could ask for. You leave Grandjean at about 5,200 feet with six days of food on your back and climb nearly 3,700 feet in under 10 miles, mostly through burned forest with little shade. The reward is the first big view of the Sawtooths: Sawtooth Lake, spread out below a pass, with a granite shoreline made for camping.
The Route
From the Grandjean trailhead, the Trail Creek Trail heads straight uphill. There is no warm-up. For the first several miles the trail follows Trail Creek, crossing and recrossing it on its way up the drainage, with cascades and small pools along the way.
This area burned in the 2024 Wapiti Fire, which covered more than 129,000 acres across the region. The forest here is a patchwork: some stretches fully burned, others only spot-burned. The upside is the understory. Fireweed was everywhere, mixed with paintbrush, aster and blanketflower every half mile or so.
After the creek, the trail climbs above the drainage and the shade runs out. We took breaks wherever there was water, then pushed over a small pass and dropped into a boggy meadow before the real climb began. From there it’s a steady grind past the McGown Lakes and up a series of switchbacks to the high point of the day, the pass above Sawtooth Lake at about 8, 727 feet.
From the pass, the trail drops gently to Sawtooth Lake, and we camped on a granite outcrop at the north end of the lake, overlooking Little Sawtooth Lake. [CONFIRM: Adam describes it as a small unnamed lake just north of Sawtooth Lake.]
Highlights
- Wildflowers in the burn. Fireweed, paintbrush, aster and blanketflower were everywhere along Trail Creek.
- The view from the pass. All six of us gathered at the top, took an extended break, and looked down at Sawtooth Lake. After a day of climbing, it’s worth the effort.
- A lakeside camp on granite. Big slabs, a view across the water, and a creek nearby for water.
- A swim to cap the day. Four of us got in the lake in the last few minutes of sun.
- Jason’s ritual chocolate after dinner. An established tradition on our trips.
- A big storm that night. Thunder and lightning rolled over just after we went to bed. It was pretty exciting, and thankfully didn’t spark any new wildfires.
How the Day Unfolded
We were on the trail by about 9:15 AM, and the group stretched out almost immediately. Everyone had a full load of food, and it was a hot day of nearly all uphill walking.
At one point Adam sat down in the shade just off the trail to rest. One by one, the rest of us walked right past him without noticing. I was one of them. He got a good laugh out of that later. (He also got stung by a bee on his thigh during the break, and it bothered him for a couple of days.)
We regrouped at the pass for a long break. We had originally planned to go around Sawtooth Lake to the south, but after a hot day of climbing with full packs, we decided to stop at the first good camp below the pass.
After swimming in the lake (yes, it’s cold) I put on a pair of flip-flops that I brought for around camp. Big mistake. There was no grip with these, and as I went to fill my water bottles, I slipped on the granite. Fortunately, I caught myself from falling, but unfortunately, I slammed my big toe hard. I wrapped it with duct tape and was able to hobble around, but it made me consider cutting my trip short. In the end, I did not and made it through the entire loop okay. An x-ray when I got home confirmed a hairline fracture. The lesson learned? Wear more suitable footwear for in camp comfort and safety.
Where to Stay
On the trail: Sawtooth Lake. There are plenty of campsites around the north end of Sawtooth Lake. We found a granite outcrop big enough for all five tents, with water close by and views across the lake. In early August, it wasn’t crowded.
Before the trip: Lowman. We shared a rental cabin in Lowman for the night before and the night after the trip. It’s about 30 minutes from the trailhead, which makes for an easy morning.
Where to Eat
Sourdough Lodge (Lowman). We had dinner here the night before: burgers, sandwiches and salads. It’s your last fresh meal for six days, and it’s close to the cabin. Not bad.
On the way in. If you’re driving from Bend like we did, a stop at the Broadway Deli in Burns, Oregon, is a much better lunch than the fast-food options. Very local. Very tasty.
On the trail. Dinner was on the granite slab above the lake. Day 1 is a good day to eat the heaviest, most satisfying meal you packed. I had the Chicken Chile Verde from Trail Goods Co. (highly recommended).
Practical Notes
- Permit: Free. Fill out a permit at the trailhead register before you start.
- Parking: No problem at Grandjean in early August. We got spots near the start of the trail.
- Bear canisters: Not required. I stored my food in a bear-proof Ursack, anchored to a tree outside of camp.
- Water: Trail Creek is reliable for the first several miles, and there are lakes and creeks higher up, including the McGown Lakes. Fill up before the big climb to the pass.
- Shade: There’s very little in the burn zone. Start early, wear a hat and carry sun protection.
- Pace yourself: This is the biggest climbing day of the loop, and you’re carrying the most food you’ll carry all week. Several of us ended up hiking alone for stretches. We kept in touch with a satellite messenger and agreed on Sawtooth Lake as the regroup point.
- Cell service: None.
The Day in Numbers
| Distance | 9.9 mi (15.9 km) |
| Elevation gain | 3,716 ft (1,133 m) |
| Elevation loss | 579 ft (176 m) |
| Moving time | 5h 50m |
| Elapsed time | 9h 6m |
| Start | Grandjean trailhead, about 9:15 AM |
| Camp | North end of Sawtooth Lake |
| High point | Pass above Sawtooth Lake [CONFIRM elevation] |
| Weather | Hot and sunny, thunderstorm that night |
| Swims | 1 |
Originally hiked August 3, 2025 with Jason Fitzpatrick, Derek Loranger and his daughter Sophia, Ben Novinger, and Adam Salinger.
Jeff has hiked and explored trails for over 50 years, covering everything from casual canyon walks to rugged multi-day Sierra routes. He started SoCalHiker.net in 2010 to document the trails he loves — and to make it easier for others to discover them.
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