Hiking Saddleback Ski Mountain Maine: summer trails and practical info

Five routes listed by the mountain

Saddleback is a ski area in winter. In summer, its Hiking page describes five routes, including the climb to the summit, which tops 4,000 feet. The mountain gives its distances in miles; the kilometre equivalents below are rounded.

Summit via Grey Ghost and Tri-Color

This is the most direct route: 1.7 miles (2.7 km) from the lodge, by Wheeler Slope, Grey Ghost, Tri-Color, then the Appalachian Trail. The mountain describes it as steep and exposed, with a 360-degree view from the top. It suggests planning 2.5 hours round trip, with a long break at the summit. Round trip, that is about 5.5 km (2 × 1.7 miles): this is the distance shown at the top of this page, calculated from the mountain's figure.

Access road to the top of the lift

This 1.4-mile (2.3 km) route follows a graded gravel road that is closed to motorized traffic: Green Weaver for 0.7 mile, The Pass for 0.3 mile, Sneaky Pete for 0.1 mile (after crossing Grey Ghost), then Upper Hudson Highway for 0.3 mile. The route as described ends at the top of the Rangeley Express Quad.

The Horn via the Appalachian Trail

From the summit, another 1.7 miles (3.4 miles, or 5.5 km, round trip) lead to The Horn along the Appalachian Trail. The mountain presents it as a way to climb two of Maine's 4,000-footers in one day. It points out that Saddleback is Maine's third-largest alpine zone and that the ecosystem above treeline is extremely fragile: hikers should stay on rock or bare dirt.

Berry Picker's Trail

This steep, rocky 1.6-mile (2.6 km) trail climbs to the summit of Saddleback and connects the Appalachian Trail to the Fly Rod Crosby Trail, which loops around the back of the mountain. Going out by the Fly Rod Crosby Trail and coming down by Tri-Color and Grey Ghost, the mountain counts a 12.1-mile (19.5 km) loop.

Fly Rod Crosby Trail, Saddleback spur

A spur of the Fly Rod Crosby Trail leads right up to the lodge. The mountain presents it as a forest walk with little elevation change, where you can visit Rock, Eddy and Midway Ponds and a scenic overlook, and where the path narrows to single track in places. Foot traffic only: no mountain bikes, ATVs, snowmobiles or motorcycles. Camping is not allowed on this section. A Maine fishing licence (resident or non-resident) is required to fish Rock and Midway Ponds.

Parking, services and dogs

The trailhead lot for the Fly Rod Crosby Trail is a bit small; if it is full, the mountain asks you to park in the first lot at the lodge and walk to the end of Rock Pond Road. Overnight parking is permitted in the back of Lot #2, where you may sleep in your vehicle (no tents or campfires). Restrooms are available only while the lodge is open. The mountain does not offer a shuttle.

On the mountain, dogs do not need to be on a leash, but owners are responsible for any incident. Leashes are required on the Appalachian Trail, which crosses the summit and leads to The Horn.

Before you go

The mountain recommends packing plenty of water and extra layers: above 4,000 feet, the weather is very different from the town of Rangeley. There are no emergency services on the mountain. A trail map (PDF) is posted on the mountain's Hiking page. For fees, hours and trail conditions, Guest Services answers at 207-864-5671.