Calendar

Past Activity

Saddle Mountain

  • Start date: 06/11/2018

  • Start time: 12:00 AM

  • End date: 06/11/2018

  • End time: 11:59 PM

Description:

West of Portland 65 miles, Saddle Mountain is the tallest mountain in Clatsop County and is best known for its spectacular spring wildflower display and views from its summit that span from the Columbia River Gorge to multiple Cascade peaks and the Pacific Ocean. The trail is steep in spots with interesting “improvements” including chicken wire to apparently help with shoe grip. Hikers have strong opinions about its effectiveness. Steep cliff drop-offs mandate that participants don’t go off trail or become too distracted by the scenery. The area is prone to windy conditions. Please note that since the leader doesn’t like the potential combination of windy conditions + steep cliffs, and also since having a summit view is an important component of this hike, that it will be re-scheduled if conditions look too foggy/windy/rainy. Leader enjoys wildflowers but is not a trained botanist. Please note the long drive. The leader will likely continue onward to the coast (only 13 miles away) after the hike and drive south along the coast prior to heading back to Eugene. Participants who prefer to spend the night on the coast or in Portland are welcome to do so but are responsible for finding accommodations.

  • Event Leader: Laura Osinga

  • Event Leader Phone: 541-337-9160

  • Event Leader Email: laura.k.osinga@gmail.com

  • Assistant Leader:

  • Event category: Trips

  • Area Type: Coastal

  • Departure Location: See Trip Description

  • Rating: Moderate

  • Roundtrip total drive miles: 348

  • Season: 2018

  • Permits Required:

  • Event Status: Passed

  • Supplies and Equipment Required: 10 essentials; at least 2 liters of water; lunch/snacks; appropriate footwear and clothing for possible cool and windy conditions; trekking poles WITHOUT baskets as they tend to get caught in the chicken wire (see above).

  • participant prerequisites:

  • Conditions:

  • Total Distance: 5.2

  • Member Fees: 1

  • Elevation Gain: 1600

  • Non-Member Fees: 5

  • Committee: Trips

  • Junior member fees: —

Trip Report

Seven hardy Obsidians left Eugene under misty skies for the wildflower-filled upper slopes of Saddle Mountain - a three hour drive! As the forecast predicted, conditions improved by the time we arrived at the TH. We headed into a mature forest of fir, red alder and salmonberry prior to breaking out of the forest and onto meadow-covered basalt top with steep cliffs. Views spanned to the ocean and Columbia River but the Cascade peaks remained in the clouds. Wildflowers were at their peak and did not disappoint. The group agreed that the trail "improvements" probably did more good than harm, especially in icy conditions, however the hardware cloth is not aesthetically appealing which is unfortunate in such a lovely setting. Two participants continued on their own journey and the remaining 5 drove west to the coast where they enjoyed a late lunch at Mo's and a walk along the beach in Lincoln City where harbour seals lined the banks of the Siletz River.