Saddle Mountain (Clatsop County, Oregon)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Coordinates: 45°58′08″N 123°41′08″W / 45.9689998, -123.6854092

Saddle Mountain
Elevation 3,288 feet (1,002 m)[1]
Location Clatsop County, Oregon, USA
Range Northern Oregon Coast Range
Prominence 2,323 feet (708 m)[2]
Coordinates 45°58′08″N 123°41′08″W / 45.9689998, -123.6854092[3]
Topo map USGS Saddle Mountain
First ascent 1841 by James Dwight Dana[4]
Easiest route trailhead from state park

Saddle Mountain is the tallest mountain in Clatsop County, Oregon.[2] Part of the Oregon Coast Range, Saddle Mountain is in Saddle Mountain State Natural Area in the northwest corner of Oregon. The peak is listed on Oregon’s Register of Natural Heritage Resources and is the highest point in Clatsop County.[5]

Contents

[edit] Geology

Saddle Mountain was created around 15 million years ago when lava flows poured down the old Columbia River valley. When the lava encountered the water at the Astoria Sea, great steam explosions and thermal shocks occurred to create a large pile of basalt rocks. The mountain consists of this volcanic breccia, which is a rock made up of broken basalt fragments that are fused together in a fine-grained matrix.[6]

[edit] History

In modern time, the mountain has been viewed and described by a variety of European and American explorers. Beginning in 1788, these explorers included British captain John Meares, Lewis and Clark in 1805, and the Wilkes Expedition in 1841.[6] Meares named the peak Mont de la Selle in 1788.[6]

[edit] Access

Saddle Mountain on the left overlooking Youngs River.
Saddle Mountain on the left overlooking Youngs River.

The hike to the taller of the two peaks is a 5.5 mile round trip challenging hike. Elevation gain is 1603 feet and leads to a 360 degree view to the Pacific Ocean, Cascade Mountain peaks such as Mount Hood, and other peaks in the Coast Range. The lower peak (elevation 3200 feet) to the east and south does not have trail access. The trail is steep at times along rock outcroppings, but does offer views that include wildflowers in bloom in the springtime.[7]

Saddle Mountain is located seven miles off U.S. Route 26 about 65 miles west of Portland, Oregon. The access road to the mountain and state park is paved. The area contains dense forests of spruce and hemlock, and some ancient lava flows.[8]

[edit] See also

South Saddle Mountain

[edit] References

  1. ^ NGS Data Sheet for SADDLE MOUNTAIN 3 RESET. U.S. National Geodetic Survey. Retrieved on 2008-04-03.
  2. ^ a b Saddle Mountain, Oregon. Peakbagger.com. Retrieved on 2008-04-03.
  3. ^ USGS GNIS: Saddle Mountain. Retrieved on 2008-04-03.
  4. ^ Saddle Mountain, Oregon. The Columbia River: A Photographic Journey. Retrieved on 2008-04-03.
  5. ^ State Register of Natural Heritage Resources. Oregon State University. Retrieved on 2008-04-03.
  6. ^ a b c The Volcanoes of Lewis & Clark. U.S. Geological Survey. Retrieved on 2008-04-03.
  7. ^ Saddle Mountain hikes. Northwest Hiker. Retrieved on 2008-04-03.
  8. ^ Crary, Jess. Camp 18 to Saddle Mountain. The Oregonian. Retrieved on 2008-04-03.

[edit] External links

v • d • e
Oregon Coast Range
Northern

Five highest peaks: Rogers Peak · South Saddle Mountain · Larch Mountain · Trask Mountain · Saddle Mountain
Central

Five highest peaks: Marys Peak · Grass Mountain · Laurel Mountain · Prairie Peak · Saddle Bag Mountain
Southern

Four highest peaks: Bone Mountain · Kenyon Mountain · Bear Mountain · Buzzard Rock
See also

Pacific Coast Ranges · Tualatin Mountains · Siskiyou Mountains · Calapooya Mountains · Oregon Coast