Where is saddle mountain

The upper trail is a little steeper than the lower part. In some places the trail has had erosion prevention carried out on it and so will have linked wire over the ground to prevent more erosion.

This also helps for a sure footing Continue up the switch-backs until you reach a shallower gradient in a forested area. At the end of this section you arrive at an open area where there are great views to the South and West. Soon after this area you will descend into the saddle.

From the saddle you will see views of the peak a steep hike in front of you and the rock towers that fall away from the side of the peak. There is a somewhat level area in the center of the saddle as well as a table to sit at and admire the view prior to the final ascent of the peak. The hike to the summit from the saddle can take some time as it is quite steep. At the top on a good day the views are well worth the hike. The summit is ringed with a metal rail.

DO NOT cross the rail for pictures A degree view and a picnic table provide the opportunity for a memorable hike. When you are rested, retrace your steps back down to the trail head.

Be careful on the way down as loose gravel and the wire trail cover can present the opportunity for twisted ankles. There is a restroom at the trailhead. DO NOT attempt this hike without adequate footwear, sufficient water and warm clothing for the summit. DO NOT stray from the trail, climb outcrops or carry out any other dangerous activities. The person writing this guide volunteers for a high-angle rescue team and has plenty of rescues on this peak due to careless behavior!

If you are taking young ones then make sure that there are TWO adults in the party! Reviews 1, Sort by:. Madeline Josephine. October 17, Bird watching Closed Great! Jonathan Wright. September 6, Marcel A. August 22, Amber B. August 9, Ian Warren. August 6, Ashley Bagley. August 5, Hiking Great! Chelsea B. Suzanne Sommer. August 4, Ranae McKee. August 2, August 1, Melinda Martin. Steve Williams. Jody Patterson-Morrill. July 30, Nice morning hike. Alex Ibrahim. July 28, Ellie Armstrong.

July 25, Jennifer Garrick. Vician Xiong. July 24, Mountain biking. Mike Borden. Get there early to avoid the crowds! July 23, No shade Rocky. Maliah Jobe. July 21, The gentle slopes on the main ridge of the area drop dramatically to form the Nankoweap Rim on the south. Elevations range from about 6, feet on Marble Canyon Rim to 8, feet on Saddle Mountain itself, a prominent ridge with a profile that resembles a saddle, horn and all.

Utah juniper and pinion pine in the lowlands give way to mixed conifers in the highlands. In a raging fire destroyed approximately 8, acres of trees, but the vegetation in the area has rebounded. Regrowth vegetation includes a dense mass of locust, oak, aspen, elderberry, and young coniferous trees. Several smaller fires have occurred in the area in recent years. A perennial stream flows in North Canyon, spawning ground for the endangered Apache trout.

Four year-round springs, three in North Canyon and one in South Canyon, provide water. Logs at the summit show about five or six parties per month reach the top in Winter. Saddle Mountain as viewed from the south. Saddle Mountain: the east half as viewed from the north. From the parking area, a trail works up the slopes to the small saddle in the center.

Once at the saddle, look west and your options for ascent. There's the saguaro again. My hiking partner gives a sense of scale. Summit ridge. This is the main "west peak" of the range. Soon you'll reach an open rocky slope and switchback again. From here, the trail is frequently held in place by a wire mat. Little seeps are home to two endemic species, the Saddle Mountain bittercress and Saddle Mountain saxifrage. Heading up on an open slope, you can see the rocky spine of the mountain above.

The trail switchbacks at a silver fir and rises up an open slope to switchback again at a breccia pillar.

Two more switchbacks take you through wildflower meadows and Sitka alder thickets blooming with larkspur. After this, you'll traverse downward, reach a footbridge, and then ascend again. A couple more switchbacks take you past a picnic table, and then you'll begin o get open views.

After it passes across a rocky meadow that blooms with paintbrush, lewisia, and woolly sunflower in summer, the trail drops and then traverses up on an open slope. Next, descend a steep wooden staircase, passing more basalt dikes and reaching a saddle where there's a copse of noble firs.