Saddle Mountain is the tallest peak in Clatsop County, and parts of its trail are laid with wire mesh
Saddle Mountain is the tallest peak in Clatsop County, and parts of its trail are laid with wire mesh. That tells you most of what you need to know about the climb.
The reward is a summit just under 3,300 feet above the north coast, with the Columbia River meeting the sea on one side and the Cascades on the other. On a clear day, it is one of the best views within reach of Seaside.
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What you’re signing up for
This is a real hike, not a stroll. The main trail runs about 2.5 miles each way, so roughly 5 miles round trip, with around 1,600 feet of climbing. Oregon State Parks calls it steep and difficult in spots and recommends it for experienced hikers in proper footwear.
The Civilian Conservation Corps built the trail in the 1930s, and it zigzags up through Douglas-fir, Sitka spruce, western hemlock and noble fir. Your legs will have opinions by the time the trees thin out.
Then the forest lets go. Grassy slopes open up above you, the final stretch gets steeper, and the wire mesh shows up on the trickiest sections. Parts of the trail get slick when wet, which on the north coast is a bigger “if” than you might like.
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Why the top is worth it
From the summit, Oregon State Parks describes views of the Columbia River meeting the sea, the Pacific shoreline, and the Cascade peaks. Clouds are the wild card here. Our advice: pick a clear day, because a socked-in summit is a very long way to climb for a wall of gray.
These slopes are also home to rare plants and the threatened silverspot butterfly, so stay on the trail. Wildflowers bloom from May through July, so save a spring trip if flowers are your thing.
Short on time or legs? There’s a Humbug Mountain viewpoint spur about a quarter mile from the trailhead, and it takes around 10 minutes. It’s a great consolation prize if the weather turns.
Before you drive out
The park is day-use only, open dawn to dusk, and there’s no drinking water, so fill your bottles in town. Cell service is spotty, so tell someone your route and when you’ll be back. Weather swings fast here, with wind and rain year-round and snow in winter.
Got a four-legged hiking buddy? Dogs must be on a leash no longer than six feet, and Oregon State Parks warns about loose wire ends in the mesh, so consider dog boots.
Oregon State Parks has scheduled tree-work closures here in recent years, so check the official park page for current status before you make the drive. Seaside is the easiest home base, and our guide to things to do in Seaside covers the rest of the trip.
Planning a longer run up the coast? Our north Oregon coast guide has more stops.
Trip tips: grab a rental car to get out here, lock in your hotel before the good rooms are gone, or skip both and book a camper van instead.
Have you made it to the top of Saddle Mountain, or are you still working up to it? Tell us whether you’d chase the summit view or settle for the Humbug viewpoint.
Rules and fees change, so always confirm current requirements before you go.
