Saddle Mountain Hike Near Seaside, Oregon Offers Breathtaking Views

by | Aug 18, 2016 | Adventures, Hiking, Oregon Coast | 0 comments

Only a few miles off of Highway 26 near Seaside, this breathtaking hike to Saddle Mountain will take you through dense forests, and high into the beautiful coastal range of Oregon. If you're heading to Seaside or Cannon Beach to cool off for the weekend, you'll definitely want to make sure and stop here. Just under 2 hours west of Portland, the Saddle Mountain Hike is a must-do for anyone who loves to explore Oregon. Read more here about how Cannon Beach was rated one of the best beaches in the world!

Saddle Mountain Oregon

Granger Meador / Flickr

Saddle Mountain Trail

The main trail can be challenging at times and is recommended for experienced hikers. On that note, make sure and come prepared with proper footwear. The trail is very steep with a 1,640-foot rise in elevation over 2.5 miles. If you have it in you to hike to the top of the 3,290-foot summit, you will be greatly rewarded with the breathtaking panoramic view of the Coast Range, the Pacific Ocean, and the Columbia River.

Saddle Mountain Oregon

Lisa Norwood / Flickr

The view at the top of Saddle Mountain isn't all you have to look forward to. Along the way, you will be dazzled with the mountain's open grassy slopes, covered by beautiful wildflowers. The climb is especially popular in May and June when wildflowers fill the mountain's meadows with the richest floral display in the Coast Range.


RELATED: 8 Oregon Coast Hikes You Must Hike Before You Die


 

flowers saddle mountain

danielhedrick / flickr

 

The hike is around 5.5 miles round trip, and at times the cliffs drop steeply from the summit. Make sure and stay inside the steel railing that encloses the viewing platform.

 

Saddle mountain hike

If the rigorous climb of the main hike is too much for you, make sure and check out the 10 minute Humbug Mountain viewpoint trail. You'll find this much easier trail only a quarter mile from the trailhead.

A photo posted by Michelle Gefre (@trailthesun) on

Rare Species at Saddle Mountain

Are you a nature nerd? You will love this trail for the rarest and oldest species of wildflowers, mosses, and lichens in the northern Oregon Coast Range.

The official Oregon State Parks website shares some of the rare species and plants you can find on the mountain:

  • Silverspot butterfly, reintroduced in 2018
  • Cope's giant salamander
  • Saddle Mountain bittercress
  • Alaska long-awned sedge
  • Willamette Valley larkspur
  • Frigid shootingstar
  • Hairy wildrye
  • Wandering daisy
  • Queen-of-the-forest
  • Western red avens
  • Rosy lewisia
  • Saddle Mt. saxifrage
  • Bristly-stemmed sidalcea
  • Numerous rare mosses, liverworts, and lichens

Directions to Saddle Mountain

Saddle Mountain's signed turnoff from U.S. 26 is 10 miles east of U.S. 101. Drive north seven miles on a narrow, paved road. Get more information at the state parks info line 800-551-6949 and oregonstateparks.org/park_197.php.

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Written By Tyler James

Tyler James, founder of That Oregon Life, is a true Oregon native whose love for his state runs deep. Since the inception of the blog in 2013, his unbridled passion for outdoor adventures and the natural beauty of Oregon has been the cornerstone of his work. As a father to two beautiful children, Tyler is always in pursuit of new experiences to enrich his family’s life. He curates content that not only reflects his adventures but also encourages others to set out and create precious memories in the majestic landscapes of Oregon. Tyler's vision and guidance are integral to his role as publisher and editor, shaping the blog into a source of inspiration for exploring the wonders of Oregon.

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