Colorado · Hiking

Sawmill

8.8 mi
round trip
1,302 ft
climb
10,805 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Aug
best months

Is Sawmill open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 6 alerts for White River National Forest.

As of · Source: USFS · White River National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Sawmill is an out-and-back hike in Colorado's White River National Forest, within the Eagle Ranger District, about 8.8 miles long with a one-way elevation gain of 1,302 feet. It starts at roughly 9,400 feet and climbs to about 10,800 feet, and the trail is rated hard. The Forest Service manages the land. The route's natural surface allows horses and bikes, so it works for riders and for pack animals as well as for hikers. The trail is open year round, and the nearest town is Gypsum, which lies within a short drive. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. A nearby weather station records typical July highs around 73°F with lows near 39°F, while winter highs typically sit near 31°F. The station sits about 1,000 feet lower than the high point on this trail, so temperatures up top run cooler. Fire Box Road, a mountain biking route, is about a mile away, and Wolverton Spring is about 1.9 miles off. Dead Cow Trail is roughly 2.5 miles away. Gypsum Campground, about 9.9 miles out, is the closest place to camp.

Go with a guide

  • Best time to go · Jun–Aug

    Best time to visit Sawmill

    Best months: June–August. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      31° / 3°

      8 wet

    2. Feb

      33° / 3°

      8 wet

    3. Mar

      39° / 9°

      8 wet

    4. Apr

      44° / 18°

      8 wet

    5. May

      55° / 27°

      9 wet

    6. Jun

      68° / 34°

      9 wet

    7. Jul

      73° / 39°

      12 wet

    8. Aug

      70° / 38°

      12 wet

    9. Sep

      62° / 31°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      51° / 23°

      6 wet

    11. Nov

      39° / 14°

      7 wet

    12. Dec

      31° / 6°

      7 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Sugarloaf Rsvr, CO, 33 mi away at 9,738 ft. The station sits about 1,100 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.