Day Hiking Sawmill Flats Trail

Sawmill Flats Trail is Located in Mount San Jacinto State Park

Day hikers can escape the desert’s summer heat and enjoy a pleasant walk through a coniferous forest with plenty of songbirds on the Sawmill Flats Trail.

The 5.2 miles round trip hike sits in Mount San Jacinto State Park, though not on the peak. Rather, this trail runs along the side of Marion Mountain near Idyllwild.

To reach the trailhead, from Palm Desert take Calif. Hwy. 74 south into the mountains. In the foothills, turn right onto Calif. Hwy. 243 and drive through Idyllwild. Go right/north onto Forest Route 4S02 to the Stone Creek Campground. Take the first right to the campground headquarters where there is limited parking. From there, you’ll need to walk the campground road to the trailhead between Campsites 7 and 9.

The campground is at about 5900 feet elevation. Coniferous trees dominate, though you can find mesquite, juniper and other desert shrubbery scattered throughout.

A fairly flat trail, the route is mostly a fire road, but great scenery and the aromatic scent of evergreens abounds.

From the campground, the trail heads southwest. At 0.2 miles is a trail junction; go left/east onto it. You’ll soon cross a tributary to Stone Creek.

The waterways and abundance of coniferous trees and other shrubbery makes the trail an ideal location for those interested in birding. Nearly 40 different bird species have been spotted along the trail. Among the most common songbirds are the violet-green swallow, mountain chickadee, white-breasted nuthatch, and pygmy nuthatch.

At 0.4 miles, a spur heads to the right/west. An additional 800 feet round trip, it leads to a view of the creek below.

The violet-green swallow is a relatively small but quite pretty songbird. Adult males sport a white face, vibrant turquoise-green upperparts, and a purple rump that is particularly striking in bright light. In contrast, females and juveniles exhibit duller upperparts, often appearing as a muted gray. When in flight, they are easily identifiable by the distinctive white “saddlebags” that extend from their underparts to the sides of the rump.

This species is fairly common across various open habitats, frequently seen foraging over meadows or ponds, and often congregates in large flocks, sometimes alongside other swallow species. Their breeding range extends as far north as Alaska, but they migrate primarily to Mexico and northern Central America for the winter.

At 0.6 miles, a spur runs to the right/south. This connects to Hwy. 243, but parking isn’t allowed at that trailhead, so you’ll have to start at the campground.

From the trail junction, continue straight-left/west on the fire road. You’ll begin to gain elevation.

The mountain chickadee has a white stripe above its eye, setting it apart from other chickadee species. It has grayish plumage, a large head, a small bill, and a black cap and throat. This bird typically inhabits high-elevation mountainous regions featuring dry coniferous forests, the exact ecosystem you’re hiking. Known for its active and acrobatic behavior, the mountain chickadee often forms flocks with nuthatches and kinglets and is a frequent visitor to bird feeders.

At 1.6 miles, the route intersects with the Stone Creek Trail, which runs north toward the Marion Mountain Campground.

The white-breasted nuthatch is the largest nuthatch species found in North America. It has a striking white face, black cap, and blue-gray upperparts, along with a rusty lower belly and undertail coverts. This bird is relatively common and can be found in mature woodlands featuring large trees, where it skillfully navigates tree trunks and branches, often in an upside-down position. It may associate with mixed flocks of other songbirds and is known to produce a distinctive series of insistent yammering calls.

Next the trail descends into the draw where Stone Creek runs. You’ll cross the stream at 1.9 miles.

The diminutive pygmy nuthatch is found in across the American West’s coniferous forests. It has a dark grayish-brown cap and buffy underparts, complemented by grayish sides. While its plumage closely resembles that of the brown-headed nuthatch, the two species do not share overlapping ranges. The pygmy nuthatch typically inhabits small flocks in the upper canopies of pine trees, often associating with other songbirds. Its vocalizations include charming pips and squeaks.

Next the trail climbs out of the draw to its highest points, at roughly 6726 feet elevation. You’ll then cross a tributary to Stone Creek.

The route ends at 2.6 miles when you reach a gaggle of trails near the state park’s border with the San Bernardino National Forest on the northeast side of Pine Cove. This marks a good spot to turn back.

While the trail is partially shaded, sunscreen and even a sunhat is a good idea. Bring bug spray, as they sometimes can be a problem near the campground.