Saddle Mountain (Clatsop County, Oregon)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Saddle Mountain | |
|---|---|
| Elevation | 3,283 ft (1,001 m) |
| Location | Oregon, USA |
| Range | Northern Oregon Coast Range, Oregon Coast Range |
| Prominence | 2323 feet (708 m) |
| Coordinates | |
| Topo map | USGS Saddle Mountain (OR) |
| First ascent | Recorded: James Dwight Dana, 1841[1] |
| 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.[3]
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.[4]
[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.[4] Meares named the peak Mont de la Selle in 1788.[4]
[edit] Access
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.[5]
Saddle Mountain is located seven miles off of 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.[6]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- Saddle Mountain (Clatsop County, Oregon) is at coordinates Coordinates:
| Image:Flag of Oregon.svg | 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 |
