Day Hike - Saddle Mountain (Oregon)

5/20 (Mon) Saddle Mtn hike - meet 8:15am at Saddle Mtn SP trailhead

5/21 (Tues) Neahkahnie Mtn hike - meet 8:15am at Oswald West parking lot w/restrooms (near MP 39 for Short Sand Beach TH), where we'll convoy soon after to TH for Neahkahnie Mtn trail.

Approx drive time/distances & directions: 

From Seattle to Stub Stewart SP, via I-5S & US26 & OR-47:  3 hr 20min /205 mi. I-5S to US-26, US-26 W to OR-47. 

From Stub Stewart SP to  Saddle Mtn TH via US-26 W & OR-47 49 min /39 mi.  Head NW toward OR-47N, Turn L onto OR-47S drive 4.1 mi, R onto US-26 drive 35 mi to R (N) turnoff near milepost 10 to Saddle Mtn SP, and drive 7 mi to TH at road end. Route from Portland to Saddle Mtn SP:   I-5S to US-26W, then 66 mi W to R turnoff to Saddle Mtn SP.

From Stub Stewart SP to to Neahkahnie Mtn TH/Oswald W SP via OR-47  1hr-11 min / 60 mi.   Head NW toward OR-47N, Turn L onto OR-47S drive 4.1 mi, R onto US-26 drive 45 mi to US-101 S (Cannon Bch/Tillamook), then US-101 S to large Oswald W parking lot (near MP 39).  Return to Seattle via US-101 N (bypassing Portland) to Seaside & Astoria, then hwy 30E to Columbia R crossing near Rainier to Longview, and I-5 N to Seattle 

5

5/16 update:  Due to rainy forecast, 5/19-21 trip will be rescheduled to early June.  

Be sure to read all leader notes before registering.

Participants are expected to complete at least two Mountaineers hikes during past 12 months of 5+ miles with 1500'+ gain, hike as a group, be aware of driving distance/time, and provide travel plans (carpooling interest as driver or rider). 

Daily itinerary:  5/20 Saddle Mtn SP 5.9 mi RT, 1600' gain/loss;  5/21 Neahkahnie Mtn (Oswald West SP) 3 mi RT or 5.1 mi 1-way, 1000' gain/loss. 

I recommend carrying two liters of water and lunch/ snacks. We will aim to return to the Saddle Mtn trailhead by 4pm, and Neahkahnie Mtn TH by 2:30PM.

Leisurely-paced naturalist wildflower filled hikes, with 20-minute lunch and opportunities for short to extended naturalist/photo stops.  If you're looking for a faster paced hike or solo hiking, please consider joining a trip that better matches your expectations.

 Camping recommended at Stub Stewart SP (E of Saddle Mtn) for 2 nights of 5/19-20 and possible additional night 5/21. Leader is tenting 5/19-21 nights at Stub Stewart SP (Dairy West camp), and has space to share with 2nd tent/vehicle.

Recommended guidebook:  100 Hikes / Travel Guide Oregon Coast & Coast Range (Saddle Mtn & Neahkahnie Mtn)

Suggested wildflower app:  Oregon Wildflowers

Oregon Hikers trail description links:

https://www.oregonhikers.org/field_guide/Saddle_Mountain_Hike

Saddle Mountain plant list (incl photos): https://www.nwwildflowers.com/places/saddle-mountain-state-natural-area

Saddle Mountain wildflowers hike (NPSO utube video):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AQMzzFxLDQ

If you are unable to join the Mountaineers Saddle Mountain activity, consider joining one of the Saddle Mountain naturalist/wildflower hikes offered by Native Plant Society of Oregon (NPSO) with leader Linda Moore May 23 & June 14.  Registration details for NPSO trips are available from leader.