One of my all time favorite hikes in the area! You can see 5 snow clad peaks on a good clear day! Rainier, Adams, Helens, Hood, Jefferson! Loved the peaks view along with the every beautiful shiny coastline! The climb is hard at the end but truly rewarding at the end. Be aware of the poking sticks and metal rods on the trail. The slope could be slippery due to rain and water and lose gravel but I appreciate the barbed wire all along the lose rocky path! read more

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Two hours and twenty minutes to complete this hike with a 20 lb pack strapped to my back. It's challenging. And you don't get the payoff of a wickedly sweet view unless you're lucky. Doesn't matter. It's worth it. You'll work your calves and quads and gluts and muscles you forgot you had. You'll marvel at the abundance of wildflowers and amount of mist that lands in your eyes. You'll step off of the trail and immediately begin bragging on social media, if not because you snapped some great photos than definitely because you feel strong and proud. Okay then, you awesome hiker, drive the half hour to Seaside and splurge on a celebratory beer! Pro Tip: Go early to avoid the crowds. This trail is packed by noon. Another Pro Tip: Leave your dog at home. This trail has several sections that are covered in wiring to help maintain the trail and prevent hikers from slipping on wet rocks and gravel. That wire netting is not something you want your dog to have to walk on. IMHO it's inhumane. read more

Saddle Mountain - Misty and magical and all mine this early in the morning! - Parks Near Me

Located about 13 miles east of seaside oregon you will find this trail head set about 8 miles off the main highway. Once there you will find a restroom and parking lot. This trail is free to hike but there is a fee for camping if you so choose to do so. The hike itself has quite a bit of elevation and as an experienced hiker it still took us 1hr 15 mins to crest the summit. From the parking lot you can see what appears to be the top but once you get up there you soon realize it is not. Instead you are greeted by the saddle and the view of what is bar none the steepest part of the hike. Along the way there are several areas where trails jettison out for viewing and picnic tables. The views from the top are remarkable as you can see the shore and Mt. Hood. read more

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Use to climb when in high school,tons of fun...great views. Good day trip...we found seashells at the top...beautiful vegatation, all along your hike...also there's a creek as you drive in where there are fossils in the rocks...thumbs up read more

Reviewer's Note: I'd probably rate this hike as 4 stars if it's not a clear day out. Saddle Mountain is pretty much the Jekyll and Hyde of hikes...It has two very distinctive personalities depending on the conditions outside. Without clouds, you have clear picturesque 360 degree views of Hood, St Helens, and the coastline. On most other days you'll face this neat misty fog that envelops the higher elevations, but your views will be obscured as a trade off. The foggy environment is similar to that other hiking movie: Lord of the Rings. I'd rate this as a moderate hike: The elevation on this hike isn't as knee-straining as say...Dog Mountain, but the last few switchbacks before the summit were fairly steep. The overall elevation reminds me of Angels Rest. There's a convenient restroom at the trailhead, but you'll probably want some hand sanitizer as soap isn't available. Also be warned: The 7 miles of paved road before the trailhead are filled with some massive potholes. You'll also see some loose wire fencing along the trail, and I completely agree with other reviewers: it's not a pleasant hike for your four-legged friends. Overall this was one of the more scenic hikes I've had in Oregon, but I feel it's the most rewarding in sunny weather. Either way, you get to enjoy the picturesque views and can treat yoself with some chowder while strolling though the sands of Cannon Beach/Seaside post-hike. Ahhhh, Oregon. read more

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Wonderful hike with beautiful views. You'll feel like you're in Mordor, of the Misty Mountains, or hell, I don't know, the last scene of Phantom Menace or Scotland or something. A couple things to keep in mind. First, the address given here is wrong. The mountain isn't located in Seaside (its current address on yelp), not even close. I'm sending a correction to yelp, but if they haven't fixed it by the time you're reading this, keep in mind that the actual location is in Saddle Mountain State Park, 8 miles northwest of the town of Elsie, coordinates 45°57'46.4"N 123°41'24.0"W. Good driving direction found here: http://www.oregonhikers.org/field_guide/Saddle_Mountain_Trailhead Second, I know some people are saying you can do this trek in 2.5 hours, to the top and back, but we found it to be closer to 4 hours, if you want to stop to repose and admire the awesome views and take some pics and snack. Don't be in a hurry to leave this place, it's magical. read more

Great hike. I would rate this hike an easy hike. Enough to get your heart pumping, but definitely not in the same way Dog Mountain does. Regardless, it is a beautiful hike. I went last weekend and there was still snow on the mountain. It started to get pretty foggy near the top and hailed twice during the hike. Thankfully the fog parted intermittently along our way, allowing us a beautiful view of all the trees and landscape below. I am mildly afraid of heights and certain parts of the hike made me want to stay away from the edge. What I enjoyed the most about this hike is the change in scenery as you ascend up the mountain. We came across two teeny streams (from snowmelt?), narrow cliffs, and finally, a wide panoramic view of the terrain around us. You definitely feel like you've been on a journey and seen a lot on this hike even though the elevation gain and mileage traveled isn't very large. I recognized some succulents clinging onto the face of the mountain as well as trillium. Would definitely love to hike this again during another season to see how the vegetation changes read more

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12 miles east of Seaside, sits a scenic little haven named Saddle Mountain. The hike itself is only 5.4 miles round trip but beware, those steep switchbacks at times, are like stepping on an angry StairMaster, sure to give your derriere a run for its money. Even the most advanced hikers are guaranteed to have rosy cheeks and soggy pits, minutes after embarking on this journey. The path itself is newly maintained, with pallets of wild flowers, old growth trees and sneak peeks at landscapes that will paralyze you with their beauty. The higher you climb, the lovelier it gets. I felt we would never reach the summit, but when we did, it boasted stunning views of several mountains, the river and the ocean. There was plenty of room to picnic, relax or just revel in the peacefulness of it all. After a quick sip of water we made our way back down, noticing all of the beauty that escaped us on the way up. Additionally we spotted camp sites that would be ideal for children or adults in need of a fast and easy getaway. Arduous workout, plus breathtaking views? It sure beats the views that I get at my local gym. : ) read more

Oh, yawn. Another wonderful hike in the PNW. The location on the Yelp map is incorrect - but there are signs from HWY 26 to the trail head. The parking lot at the trail head is 7 miles of winding road away from the highway, so be patient. Parking is free - no passes required! And, there are a couple camping spots for a few bucks a night. Clean toilets and dirty garbage cans await your responsible use at the start of the hike. Wouldn't recommend camping, though. Lots of people hiking by - and lots of biting bugs! More than normal. Bring bug repellent! It's a beginner hike. 2 to 3 hours to the top, less coming down. Pretty steep. Lots of huckleberries all along the path and a few salmon berries, too. Mmmm! The trail was built really well, but is pretty poorly maintained and vegetation has grown over the pathway quite significantly. Single file only. Great view from the top - if it's clear. I've been to the top 5 times and today was the first time I saw anything. read more

Saddle Mountain Was a decent moderate to difficult hike. I went on July 2 at 130pm and although the small parking lot was almost full, there really were not many people on the trail. It was muddy and wet and rained 4 times during the 3 hours on the trail. The chain link fence on the ground in rocky areas was broken in a lot of spots and quite slippery. The top is kind of boring, nowhere to sit, just one picnic table and it was being used. It was hazy and not great views of ocean. I loved the lush plants, flowers, succulents and tree foliage. It was definitely refreshing and very different from my normal dry, hot, dusty hikes in California and Texas. read more

Saddle Mountain is absolutely beautiful. Once at the top you can see from Hood to Coast :) Highly suggest this hike, however... PLEASE DO NOT BRING YOUR DOGS HERE! I saw many pups struggling on the sharp (hot) gravel to keep up with their owners. The trail is not good for those paws! If you have to bring your dog, bring them a lot of water and maybe invest in some booties... it's an aggressive hike for humans alone! (Coming from an avid dog lover here). read more

This was a really enjoyable hike. Easy and hard are relative terms. Because altitude isn't an issue it's all about cardiovascular health and leg strength. Even the strongest amongst you will feel some periods of exertion during this hike. Stopping generally isn't necessary for recovery but you'll want to gaze for a moment or two on your way up. Round trip will be anywhere from 1:45 to 3 hours depending upon breaks. A very worthwhile jaunt if you're in the area. read more

Amazing views, close to Hwy 26 (seven mile drive to the trailhead), good workout, and a great place to cool down on those hot Willamette Valley days in the summer (it can be as much as twenty degrees cooler). I would recommend going on a day when there is an off-shore wind, so you can get the views, otherwise, you will be in the middle of a cloud with little visibility. Looking forward to trying this route as a snowshoe in the winter... read more