Permit Required
A self-issue wilderness permit for the Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness and a Northwest Forest Pass for trailhead parking are the applicable requirements; no quota or reservation system applies.
Route Description
The highest point in the Sawtooth Range, reached by the same general trail network used for nearby Star Peak but via a different lake and ridge.
Approach
Drive to the West Fork Buttermilk Creek Trailhead as for Star Peak. Hike the Oval Creek Trail to a lake below Oval Peak's south side. From the lake, ascend to a saddle on the South Ridge, then scramble the solid rock field along the ridge crest to the summit.
Descent
Descend the South Ridge back to the lake and out via the Oval Creek Trail.
Weather Forecast
⚠️
Air Quality: Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups · AQI 126
PM2.5: 0.0 μg/m³ · Check conditions before travel
5-Day Air Quality Forecast
PM2.5 wildfire smoke threshold: 35 μg/m³ · Source: CAMS via Open-Meteo
Sun, Sep 27
☁️
Overcast
41° / 20°
Mon, Sep 28
☁️
Overcast
44° / 17°
Tue, Sep 29
🌧️
Drizzle
32° / 25°
Wed, Sep 30
☁️
Overcast
35° / 15°
Thu, Oct 1
☁️
Overcast
38° / 14°