TrailsNW
North Oregon Coast

Saddle Mountain

Length: 2.5 miles
Low Point: 1600'
High Point: 3283'
Season: Spring/Summer/Fall
Scenery: 4/5

Difficulty: 3.5/5

Submitted by: Forrest

Directions

From Portland, take Highway 26 west for 65 miles coming to a sign for Saddle Mountain State Park. Hang a right (north) on this road, and follow it for 7 miles until its end.

Trail Description

Bounded on all sides by vertical cliffs, Saddle Mountain seems out of place compared with the rolling hills of the coast range. Spring is one of the best times to visit the mountain when it is carpeted with an abundance of common and rare flowers, many of which are unique to the area. The trail starts out in a nice forest, but after about a mile, the views start to open up. The trail can be difficult at certain areas, especially where there are rock outcroppings where the rock can be slippery during wet periods. At around two miles you cross through the "saddle", descending a little bit, then rising steeply to the top of the mountain. The top makes a nice spot to eat lunch and observe the views from the ocean to the Cascade Peaks.

Comments

Steady up to the top wnding with nice views of the Pacific, Rainier, Adams, St. Helens and Hood. luv2hike
2006-04-24 18:32:03
This is a nice little hike offering some great views. While my parents were visiting from Ohio, I took them on this trail, and they absolutely loved it.
2006-01-13 19:17:37
Went up 01/22/05, a little cold, cloudy and windy, but still a great 360 view. If you're in decent shape you could probably jog up it, with the exception of outcropped areas where you can't really run. I made it up in an hour walking but was somewhat held back by who I was with and had to stop and wait once in a while, but there were good views worth the stopping along the way.
2005-01-24 18:08:19
I love this hike. This trail makes for a good trip during most of the year, especially in the spring months.
2004-05-11 19:23:44
Well we hit Saddle Mt early Saturday morning. We couldn't pass up seeing 4 mountains and the ocean all in one panoramic view! It was a rugged 3 miles to the top...one definitely needs to be in shape to make it! I can only imagine how beautiful the flowers would be n the Spring since there were many blooming in mid July. The views did not disappoint as it was a beautiful clear sunny morning and we could see from the ocean up to Rainer over to St. Helens and Jefferson and over to Hood - quite amazing.
- Mark Eilitz
2004-03-06 00:32:20
I've only hiked Saddle Mountain once, it was back in the late Spring of 1987 with my Mom. We had a wonderful day. It was so beautiful, and what a view!
My husband comes from Florida where there are no mountains, and he enjoys the hikes up here at Mt. Rainier. We'll be making the trek down from Washington next Spring so he and our son can have the opportunity to see this amazing peak.
2004-03-06 00:32:20

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