Sawtooth Trail near Truckee, California

The Sawtooth Trail is a single-track trail through a division of the Tahoe National Forest between Martis Creek and the Truckee River Canyon south of Truckee in California. Trail sections along the canyon offer vistas of some Sierra Nevada mountain peaks. The trail is well-graded—devoid of any steep climbing sections. Seen from above, the trail shape shows various sections of rounded sawtooth waves. Trail users are moving back and forth between pines, firs and shrubs. Mountain bikers enjoy the diversity of turns and curves.

The non-loop section between the first parking area (trailhead pointed to with “YOU ARE HERE” in the map) and the second parking area further south is less than two miles long. After a short distance from the trailhead the trail passes a rock and boulder group shown in the picture below. The trail continues between Jeffrey pine and white fir trees and various shrubs. The forest floor is frequently covered by squaw carpet. At a few locations the trail gets close to the edge of the Truckee River Canyon, offering views of Granite Flat in the canyon and of the High Sierra mountain scenery.

At the beginning of the loop is a sign that posts the two directions “SAWTOOTH TRAIL” and “SAWTOOTH ROAD.” Following the former (counterclockwise looping), you'll continue along the Truckee River canyon. Following the other direction (clockwise looping), you'll cross the Sawtooth Road (FS Road 06) and continue through forest with areas of dense growth of Chinquapin bushes. The southernmost sections of the loop trail will take you close to various meadows of the Martis Creek area, which exhibit, in spring, a richness of wildflowers including buttercup, lupine and penstemon.

According to the trailhead signboard, there is a chance of seeing interesting animal species in or above the sawtooth forest: frogs, toads, salamanders, snakes and turtles; foxes, fishers, martens and weasels; bald eagles, hawks and owls.

Rock and boulder site

Getting to the Sawtooth trailheads

From the intersection of Donner Pass Road and Bridge Street in Truckee, drive about 0.3 miles south-southwest on Brockway Drive and turn right on Palisades Drive. Follow this road for 0.4 miles until it turns left and continues as Ponderosa Drive. Continue on for less than a mile and turn right onto Silver Fir. At the intersection of Silver Fir and Thelin Drive, turn left and then veer right onto FS Road 06. This road is closed by a locked gate during winter months. Notice that Placer County does not allow roadside parking from November to April. Once on FS Road 06 you'll pass a sign displaying a distance of 11 miles to Watson Lake and 16 miles to Brockway Summit. The paved road turns into a gravel road past this sign. You'll find trailhead parking to the right. Further trail access parking is available after 1.6 miles (beginning of the loop trail) and after 4.5 miles (southernmost point of the sawtooth loop).

Nearby trails and places of interest

West:	PCT between Roller Pass and Mt. Anderson.
Northwest:	Donner Lake Rim Trail (DLRT), Summit Lake, Donner Party Memorial.
East:	Martis Creek Trail, Tompkins Memorial Trail, Porcupine Hill.

Selected descriptions, maps and links

[1]	Trailing Ahead: At the edge of the Truckee River canyon along the Sawtooth Trail [trailingahead.blogspot.com/2010/10/at-edge-of-truckee-river-canyon-along.html].
[2]	Truckee Trails Foundations: Sawtooth Trail [truckeetrails.org/trails-bikeways/dirt-trails/sawtooth-trail/].
[3]	MapMyRide: Sawtooth Trail Loop [www.mapmyride.com/s/routes/view/mountain-biking-map/california/truckee/44188952].
[4]	Extreme Tahoe: Ride of the week: Sawtooth Trail [www.tahoeloco.com/archives/2796].

Around Truckee, California

Donner Party Memorial
Donner Lake Rim Trail (DLRT)
Summit Lake
Martis Creek Trail
Martis Peak Fire Lookout

Trailing Ahead

Video Maker