Saddle Mountain redux- New Years Day hike

Treacherous ice and 70 MPH wind gusts near the Saddle Mountain summit hilariously transformed my token “easy” 2016 New Year’s Day hike into an unforgettable disaster (see my Instagram photo below of the icy pre-carnage). And we loved every minute of it!

So our group can summit peaks like Mount Hood… But we can’t hike to the top of Saddle Mountain? No way! Let’s give it another shot this year. And due to midnight Auld Lang Syne celebrations, we’ll be sleeping in late as well. Please note the late meet up time, and party accordingly.

Though relatively easy, this beautiful coastal hike is not intended to be an all-season route. I learned my lesson in January about being too lenient about my Microspikes recommendation, so some type of boot traction is absolutely required this year (Ok, the hike is actually NEXT year).

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Instagram photo of solid ice on my 2016 New Year’s hike up Saddle Mountain

Also, dress very warmly for the summit. Several Aprils ago when I took some friends up Saddle Mountain on a clear day, we suddenly got caught up in these blizzardy conditions that made for one epic selfie:

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Difficulty: Easy-Moderate: 1) Icy terrain freaked some people out last year. 2) The trail’s steepness may pose a challenge for some. 3) There is also occasional cliff exposure.

Hiking distance: Barely more than 5 miles

Elevation gain: 1620 feet

Total hiking time: 3 or 4 hours, car to car

Total driving distance: 132 miles; $13 to drivers please, unless drivers determine otherwise

Permits: None

Dogs: Sure, if they can handle snow and you’re willing to drive them

Here is the description for our route to the summit of Saddle Mountain: http://www.summitpost.org/saddle-mountain/150707 ( http://www.summitpost.org/saddle-mountain/150707 )

My usual hiking style is fairly brisk (2.5-3 mph or faster when not running), but I acknowledge that I may be slowing down to accommodate a few hangovers. We will enjoy a lunch break at the summit (assuming we can bear the freezing temps…it’s wide open), as well as short breaks for snacks, photos, and viewpoints.

Bring: 2+ liters of water, food/snacks, warm layers of non-cotton clothing including rain gear, a camera, shoes with good traction AND traction devices (maybe even snow shoes), and gas money. Poles could be useful.

It is also recommended that hikers and climbers always carry the Ten Essentials:

1. Navigation (map, compass, and an awareness of our route)

2. Sun protection (sunglasses and sunscreen)

3. Insulation (extra clothing)

4. Illumination (headlamp/flashlight and extra batteries)

5. First-aid supplies

6. Fire (waterproof matches/lighter/candles)

7. Knife/tools

8. Nutrition (extra food)

9. Hydration (extra water)

10. Emergency whistle and general preparedness in the event that you become separated from our group and/or have to spend the night in the wild.

PARTICIPATE AT YOUR OWN RISK; Northwest Wilderness Group organizers are volunteers. We come prepared to lead you on a trail or off trail hike but assume no liability for your safety getting to or from the trail-head or on the hike. In case of accident, illness, or other incapacity, hikers must pay for their own medical and/or evacuation expenses, whether or not the hiker has specifically authorized them.