Take a Hike… to Saddle Mountain
If you’re an Oregonian, you owe yourself this classic hike. Saddle Mountain is steep, difficult, and often exposed, but the incredible views, rare wildflowers, and a sweet sense of accomplishment when you reach the top more than compensate for the burning in your thighs.
At 3,283 feet, Saddle Mountain is the highest peak on the north coast and towers above forested foothills and patchy clear cuts. On a clear day, the 360 degree view sweeps from Tillamook Head, across Astoria, and north over the Columbia estuary. Cascade volcanoes dot the horizon behind you. The 3-mile trail climbs 1,600 feet through an island ecosystem left behind by retreating glaciers – many of the plants and flowers you’ll see are rare or unique to the mountain.
Before you hit the trail, it’s a good idea to stretch, use the public restroom, and fill up on water – there’s none available on the trail, which weaves and switch-backs through forests of birch, cedar, hemlock, and fir. About half-way up, the trail begins to open up with increasingly spectacular views. As you pass below the lower peak, there’s a picnic table and lean-to that provides a shady resting spot before the final push. Shortly after, you’ll come to the open saddle, which isn’t very wide and is reinforced with wooden beams and gravel held in place by fencing. The peak looms above you, and although it isn’t as far as it looks, it is steep. In some places, maintenance crews have strung steel cable along parts of the trail. Take a break when you need it and suck in the views. The last 300 feet or so can be a scramble; hiking boots or shoes are strongly advised.
The large summit is surrounded by railing and can accommodate quite a few people. It can be windy, and the clouds can envelope you at any time, but what a panorama!
This hike has been rated anything from difficult to challenging to strenuous. In my opinion, it?s not that bad. If you’re in moderate shape, don’t push yourself too hard, and take time to appreciate the vistas, you’ll get to the top – and down again – with a smile on your face and a snapshot of yourself in all your summit glory.
To get to Saddle Mountain, take Highway 26 to the turn-off 8 miles east of the Necanicum Junction with Highway 53. Follow the road to the parking lot and trailhead. May is a particularly good month to see the wildflower display and stand a chance at clear weather.
Article & Images By Jason Weeks, Borrowed Times
Alicia Selliken
Agency Info:
I thought the hike was easy as I did it 2 summers ago, 2007. I am in my late 40s and I suppose I was physcially fit. I do light exercizes almost daily, not much for 15 min. But I did a hike of a few hours each week for a spring summer period-so it may have got me in shape. Nevertheless, I am an energetic person for my age. I haven’t hiked The Three Sisters or the top of Mt. Hood or even Defiance Point. The toughest hike I’ve done is McNeil Point, near Mt. Hood in Oregon-for 7 hours. I’m not one of those robust joggers, either. So in rating it diffiult, challenging , strenous-I was surprized they said it so? I did hike Dog Mountain-and that I think is a strenuous/difficult hike-and Eagle Creek -when you go for 3 hours or more…. I thought it was “fun ” although some of it was a little-climb as you scaled over the slopping sides of the top a little-just a little slanted-but only for a little while. I think children just skim those areas and move over them quickly-although, I wouldn’t take children at all up the side of the top. I wish to take my children to enjoy the bottom of the hike only-for an hour-so they can enjoy the coastal vegetation and eat the goose berries-what they enjoy the most. It was a beaitufl hike whether at the top or climbing near the bottom. I think if you are a beginner and don’t exercize it would be strenous and stretch a few muscles, maybe. Best to stretch all your muscles ahead of time and get those legs in shape so you feel you can tackle all this hiking as a teenager would do it. All of us can do 15 min. of leg exercizes daily-then these hikes are a breeze. Have fun!!!!
By the way, I’m not an experienced hiker. I am really an artist and concert flutist enjoying many cultural pursuits. I read a little hiking info. for fun and have done a few simple hikes, I think. I am wondering what other hikers think of this hike? It is one of the best!! Love the scenery and vegetation.