{"id":5136,"date":"2024-06-01T16:56:58","date_gmt":"2024-06-01T16:56:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cherylhill.net\/blog\/?p=5136"},"modified":"2024-07-25T18:10:33","modified_gmt":"2024-07-25T18:10:33","slug":"saddle-mountain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/cherylhill.net\/blog\/2024\/06\/01\/saddle-mountain\/","title":{"rendered":"Saddle Mountain"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Saturday, June 1, 2024<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s been 11 years since I last hiked Saddle Mountain, although Greg has visited several times since then. Turns out today was a good day to go because the wildflowers were amazing.<!--more--><br \/>\nWe arrived at the trailhead nice and early at 7:50am:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53764617105_86eecef42e_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53764715743_938304c48c_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The trail starts out in a VERY lush green forest:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53763612922_dd267e5967_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53764521006_0b3a550a4d_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53763639007_a9c1b8f238_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\n<p>We reached the side trail for the Humbug Mountain viewpoint and turned right:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53764960940_f415f37e6f_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53764875729_66ea0a77be_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53764545846_86e6744a24_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53763638442_9b375f7719_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53764544981_787949492e_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" \/><\/p>\n<p>There&#8217;s a nice viewpoint area here with a picnic table, although the views of Humbug Mountain would get better higher up:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53764976740_6ca3d4d812_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53764562401_2f53d83747_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53764977160_dec9dda83e_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Behind us we could see Saddle Mountain:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53763654192_89d0b8cccd_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Continuing up the main trail we started seeing lots of wildflowers. Fringecup:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53764976545_3fe2dd2943_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53763637557_e42e99496a_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53764892124_865f2d01bf_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The first of MANY monkey flower we would see:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53764948279_475082d931_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Monkey flower and rosy plectritis:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53764619191_181a24bb91_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53764945849_bf90c251ff_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53764812743_eb1f4e4052_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Chocolate lily:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53764945704_064b54cae8_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" \/><\/p>\n<p>So much monkey flower!<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53764617996_61041c554c_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53764617161_4227b4601c_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53765031685_e71af2b7f0_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53765030665_eeeed6244c_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Paintbrush:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53764810733_e4efc8d3f4_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53764818718_c6c682e0be_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Bleeding heart:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53765038775_49139f5d72_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53764819943_46ccf5dc7c_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53764818573_2d66902418_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" \/><\/p>\n<p>I didn&#8217;t utilize the picnic table for a break, but I bet many do:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53764624586_445f57ea9c_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Chickweed:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53765038310_7fbb50004c_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53764953074_9c968fd272_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53765158183_293bae81e3_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Monkey flower and larkspur:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53764953239_b8005552a3_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Erosion caused by switchback-cutting:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53764817723_36864f3122_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" \/><\/p>\n<p>More monkey flower:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53765376490_99f3d18b41_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53764054542_f5d4e945ee_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53764964936_b34a9a59fa_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53764964976_1a8d5e92b5_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Until last fall the trail had been closed for several years while they did repairs. Some of the material from that project was still laying around:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53765304079_7261b2e7e4_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" \/><\/p>\n<p>More and more flowers:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53765169408_cb26a37449_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53765170508_75820d24f0_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Passing a funny-looking rock at a viewpoint:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53764066042_a1f2373b68_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53765387900_d6107c5581_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53765170338_04f77a0c2b_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53765387865_9d230bd6ec_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53765386865_af9dbb3d10_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\n<p>New footbridge:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53764065872_b161e8b835_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53764975686_652cf2bc92_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53764065867_30dc43e8b1_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53765311534_4afaa01b99_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53764074782_d302479305_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"684\" height=\"1024\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53765396060_c61d14538b_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53764984681_2a79c89b5d_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The intense stretch of wildflowers briefly ended and I was back in the forest. Greg was way behind photographing flowers:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53764074452_8f2527c1fc_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Back out into the open:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53765311569_fc64c784ce_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" \/><\/p>\n<p>A view of Humbug Mountain:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53765311394_62cc7c354e_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53765395385_f28ecc9d92_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53765177523_3aeb13025d_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53765311154_db0e70c07b_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53764983951_f05d632681_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53765176443_63655c4c0e_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53765176713_5460580e90_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\n<p>There&#8217;s the summit:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53764073312_dae2792e3c_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53765319949_644ba27aef_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53765403305_cf29230509_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53764081732_0a329edb9d_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Almost there:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53765403740_12ea3d0db9_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53765185333_207c746827_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53765403140_d0a1ac19e4_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53764991786_77379e48ee_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53765317814_b9454bc0e9_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53765400820_25abc0b25a_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53764965026_b18b374aa2_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\n<p>This trail stabilization effort appears to have failed:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53765403720_c9883f3a1c_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Made it!<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53764079507_46f0bcc31a_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53765182898_0f52254e72_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" \/><\/p>\n<p>It was just me and one other person for about ten minutes, which was awesome and rare. It was very cloudy up there, but I still had some views. The other summit of Saddle Mountain:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53765400605_69cdb861e7_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Looking north towards Astoria:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53765403020_e6fa9dc038_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Green Mountain to the north with Astoria beyond:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53764079027_cbbfa23721_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" \/><\/p>\n<p>View to the north:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53764079217_88a4c193ca_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" \/><\/p>\n<p>View to the northeast:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53765182728_37be5f5133_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Wickiup Mountain:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53764991516_48f8bf81be_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The distant hump just below the cloud is Nicolai Mountain. On a clear day Mt. Rainier is visible just to the right of it, but not today:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53765661479_cec08c263b_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" \/><\/p>\n<p>View to the southeast:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53765319669_c336c3aa9c_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Angora Peak, Onion Peak, and Sugarloaf Mountain hiding in the clouds to the southwest:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53764988911_208602cd1e_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The Pacific Ocean to the west:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53765659404_c5af91b24c_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Greg and I were carrying radios so I knew he was nowhere near the summit. He said he wasn&#8217;t even going to try and make it because he was too busy with wildflowers, so after a break I headed back down.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53765767725_c0189b20ef_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53765781715_6f6962c572_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53765367636_873c41b915_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53765779880_319c30f1a5_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53765560368_47b8975ba8_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53764457317_9bd6071353_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53765369336_057b267a51_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53765367711_432dc46563_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53765655928_a57e8dd582_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53764571447_7d9b4e35ba_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53764571442_6e61b6cdab_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53764571227_b9e77d45f0_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53765672603_2e6ccb7203_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53765479211_7f0c6db0b7_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53765806879_7e52ed96c8_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53765672438_0ffc801231_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53765806754_ebe09ecd57_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53765892865_39b58abc5c_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53765893680_7044d26f18_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53765683263_4dc2262228_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53765683203_84a8e285d4_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53765687048_834576e917_b.jpg\" alt=\"Saddle Mountain Hike\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The massive areas of clearcuts are pretty depressing, but the wildflowers on this hike are outstanding. Glad to finally have come back here.<\/p>\n<p>Gaia stats: 5 miles, 1,600&#8242; elevation gain<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Saturday, June 1, 2024 It&#8217;s been 11 years since I last hiked Saddle Mountain, although Greg has visited several times<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/cherylhill.net\/blog\/2024\/06\/01\/saddle-mountain\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Saddle Mountain<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5147,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[159,257],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/cherylhill.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5136"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/cherylhill.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/cherylhill.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/cherylhill.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/cherylhill.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5136"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"http:\/\/cherylhill.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5136\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5244,"href":"http:\/\/cherylhill.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5136\/revisions\/5244"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/cherylhill.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5147"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/cherylhill.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5136"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/cherylhill.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5136"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/cherylhill.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5136"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}