Saddleback Mountain
- Distance13.4 miRound trip
- Summit4,515 ftElevation
- Ascent~2,200 ftTotal gain
Normally climbed in conjunction with Basin, and sometimes Haystack as well, Saddleback is a beautiful Adirondack High Peak to summit in the morning as the first of the three in the group.
The route
The hike begins at the Garden and heads toward Johns Brook Lodge before climbing to the Range Trail.
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0 – 3.1 mi
Garden to the DEC Interior Outpost
Hike 3.1 rolling miles toward Johns Brook Lodge. At 3 miles you pass a campsite. Take a left at a junction shortly after the campsite, which leads to the DEC Interior Outpost.
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3.1 – 6.2 mi
Orebed Brook Trail to Gothics Col
At the outpost, pick up the Orebed Brook Trail and follow it another 3.1 miles to Gothics Col, where you reach the intersection with the Range Trail.
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From 6.2 mi
Range Trail to the summit
Follow the Range Trail up the side of Saddleback. The trail levels out briefly on the east summit, then drops into the saddle between the mountain's two peaks before ascending another half mile to Saddleback's actual summit. From there you can continue on to Basin.
The views
The Range Trail up the side of Saddleback comes with great views of the slides on Gothics.
Make it an overnight
If you plan in advance and want to split the climb up, you can reserve a spot at Johns Brook Lodge, hiking the 3 miles to the lodge the day before and beginning your hikes from there on the following days of your stay.
Often hiked with
Saddleback is normally climbed with Basin Mountain and sometimes Mount Haystack. Gothics rises just across the col on the Range Trail.
High Peak details
- Difficulty
- Strenuous
- 46er rank
- #17 of 46
- Range
- Great Range
- Trail type
- Marked trail
- Trailhead
- The Garden, Keene Valley
- Ascent measured from
- Johns Brook
Trailhead and map
Driving into Keene Valley from Lake Placid, look for the DEC sign after the post office on the right, at Adirondack Street. Turn right; the road becomes Johns Brook Lane. Follow it 1.5 miles to the Garden parking lot. There is a fee to park. The lot is small and fills early, so check current parking and shuttle information before you go.
Trail resources
- Conditions
- Conditions change fast. Check current trail conditions and DEC's High Peaks page before heading out.
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