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Saddleback Mountain 4116` and the Horn 4023` It was an awesome fall day! Photos taken
10/8/2006 |
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Saddleback Mountain
4116` and the Horn 4023` Located Southeast of
Rangely Saddleback is one of my favorite hikes, the trail through the woods is
well kept and clearly marked as it weaves it way by streams and
ponds, ascending steeply over rocks, then slabs, eventually coming out into
the open where the views are awesome. One note of caution you will be exposed to the elements above
treeline and theres not much cover, so just keep an eye on the
weather.
A westerly approach to
Saddleback: Follow ME 4 for 32 miles north from the ME 4/US junction in
Farmington or 9.9 miles south from ME 4/16 junction in Rangeley.The trail to
Saddleback Starts on the where the Appalachian Trail crosses ME 4, theres a
real nice parking area on the left, just be careful when crossing the road, it
is in a very steep and winding section and cars are usually zipping right
along. From ME 4 the AT descends
crossing Sandy River at one tenth of a mile. Climbing out of the valley then
crossing a dirt logging road at 1.1 mil. Next Piazza Rock at 1.4 miles is
definitely worth a side trip, turning left steeply 1/10 mil from the Piazza
Rock lean-to you will see a huge glacial eratic that you can stand under or
climb on top but be careful especially if its wet, if you slip its all over.
Getting back to the AT, not far from the lean-to there is another side
trail to the caves that you can crawl through the narrow passages. On one day,
5/28/99 there was still ice and snow inside in places, very cool.
Back to the AT you will climb steeply then pass
Ethel Pond turning left sharply. Ascending the trail passes Mud Pond descending slightly to Eddy Pond
About 3.2 miles from ME4 the trail will cross another dirt road. Steadily
rising through conifers, coming out eighth of a mile later on a scrub covered
slope. After 0.8 mil over rocky slopes and slabs, the last 2/10 of a mil
flattens out to the summit. The AT continues over the main summit descending
steeply into the col between Saddleback and The Horn, reaching 1.7 miles to the
Summit of the Horn. Distances from ME 4
to junction with logging road: 1.1 mil. to Piazza Rock Lean-to: 1.8
mil to Saddleback summit: 5.1 mil 3hr. 45 min. to the Horn summit 6.7
miles 4 hr. 15 min.
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