Saddle Mountain

Directions:
From Portland, take Highway 26 west until finding the road for Saddle Mtn. State Park. Hang a right on this road, and follow it for 7 miles until its end.

The Trail:
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. Be especially careful on these portions when the rock is wet. 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.